Office of International Programs
A photo of Italy.

Tuscan Tales: Travel Writing in Italy

Travel from Rome through Tuscany, exploring the richness of Italian culture through its cities, history, and literature.

This exciting two-week (14 nights in Italy) study abroad journey as part of a Spring semester course will combine first hand experiences of international travel with a study of the literary history of travel writing. We will begin in Florence and spend five days exploring the rich history and culture of the city, including a guided tour of ancient the Uffizi Museum, and a walking tour that takes in the rich artistic history, and a day-long tour of the Chianti countryside, with stops for gelato and at a world-class vineyard. From Florence we will travel up to the medieval city of Siena, where we will visit local sites of interest. From Siena we will take a short bus ride to Rome, where we will spend six days taking in the famous art museums and historical sites throughout the city, including guided tours of Ancient Rome and the Vatican Museum. Along the way, we will allow plenty of leisure time to discuss literary travel essays and short stories, while working on our own travel writing, drawn from our immediate experiences. The course may be taken for either graduate or undergraduate credit. This course fulfills the Core III, Engaging the World requirement. Interested students should contact Dr. Nathan Oates ([email protected]) with any questions.

Program-Specific Information

Term: Spring Semester (May Travel)

Program Dates: May 19 to June 3, 2022

Country: Italy

Program Itinerary: Click here to explore the program!

Course: ENGL 4420/7420: Tuscan Tales - Travel Writing in Italy (syllabus)
This course is cross listed as CORE 3379.

Program Fee: $4000

Housing Accommodations: Hotels

Air Travel: Round-trip air travel is included as part of the program fee.

DSS Info: Students at Seton Hall University who have a physical, medical, learning or psychiatric disability, either temporary or permanent, may be eligible for reasonable accommodations during their study abroad program. In order to receive such accommodations, students must identify themselves at the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS), provide appropriate documentation and collaborate in the development of an accommodation plan. Students seeking accommodations on a study abroad program, are encouraged to begin the process with the DSS office at least 6 months in advance of the program start date. Click here to learn more. 

Faculty Leader

Small picture of Nathan OatesDr. Nathan Oates is an Associate Professor in the English Department and Director of Writing Studies who teaches creative writing, contemporary literature, and travel writing. He is a fiction writer whose interest in travel runs through his work and life. Having traveled extensively throughout the Americas and Europe, Dr. Oates has a particular passion for Italy, where he has taught study abroad trips for the past decade. He was also recently fortunate to get to live in Florence, Italy for a year with his family. Introducing students to Italy and its culture through the Tuscan Tales: Travel Writing in Italy course is always a great pleasure and he looks forward to continuing to teach the art of travel and the art of writing.

Email: [email protected]