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Italy - Rise of Roman Civilization in Rome and Pompeii: Mason-Led, Winter (Outgoing Program)

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Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Minimum GPA (Undergraduate): 2.25 Language of Instruction: English
Housing: Campus Housing, Hotel Number of Credits Offered: 3
Eligible Population: 01 Freshman, 02 Sophomore, 03 Junior, 04 Senior, Graduate Type of Program: Faculty-led
Click here for a definition of this term Area of Study: Geography and Geoinformation Science, Anthropology, Geology, History, Integrative Studies Click here for a definition of this term Study Abroad Host: Global Education Office
Minimum GPA (Graduate): 3.0 Open to non-Mason Students: Yes
Program eligible for VA Benefits: Yes
Program Description:

Rise of Roman Civilization in Rome & Pompeii

Italy, Winter 2022

Roman Images
What is Rome really made of? What conditions favored her fortune? What interplay of territory (natural processes, climate, and resources) and culture contributed to the rise of Roman civilization? By taking this interdisciplinary course in urban geology/geoarchaeology, students will discover how Roman civilization took advantage of a series of favorable geological events that shaped the landscape and provided the raw material to grow and flourish.  The rocks formed by volcanoes (tuffs) and deposited by water (travertine) were transformed by the ingenuity of the Roman engineers and architects into buildings and infrastructures. Likewise, the waters resources of the nearby regions were harnessed in the most developed system of aqueducts capable to bring water to over one million people who lived in ancient Rome during the heights of the empire. What was not readily available was brought in from the provinces.
 

Program Highlights

  • Interdisciplinary course in urban geology/geoarchaeology: Discover how Roman civilization took advantage of a series of favorable geological events that  shaped the landscape and provided the raw material to grow and flourish.
  • From Naples to Rome, visit important cultural and historic sites, many of which are not open the general public and require special access permits. 

Eligibility 

This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, including students who do not attend George Mason University. 

Undergraduate students must have a minimum GPA of 2.25.
 

Credits

Students will choose one 3-credit course during the application process.
 

Course Options

Undergraduate*:
  • Anthropology - ANTH 300: Civilizations
  • Geology - GEOL 315: Topics in Geology II
  • Geography and Geoinformation Science - GGS 399: Selected Topics in GGS
  • History - HIST 388: Topics in European History
  • Integrative Studies - INTS 399: Study Abroad
*This course has previously offered HNRS credit - if you are interested in HNRS credit please contact the Honors College.​

Graduate:
  • Anthropology - ANTH 670: Regional Studies in Archaeology
  • History - HIST 598: Historical Study Abroad
 

Program Dates*

January 2 - January 16, 2022

 

Tentative Itinerary 

Jan. 2 Arrive in Naples. Course orientation at the Hotel in Pompeii. Pre-course visit to Naples Archaeological Museum option available.
Jan. 3 Archaeology of the Territory Campania Felix - Visit to Pompeii Archaeological Site
Jan. 4 Visit to Herculaneum and Oplontis. Optional visit to the antiquarium of Oplontis.
Jan. 5 Vesuvius hike; stop in Pozzuoli with visit to Piscina Mirabilis
Group transfer to Rome
Jan. 6 Free Day
Jan. 7 The Volcanic Roman Province: Nemi maar volcano trip with visit to the  emissary excavated in the VI Century BC. Properties of volcanic building materials. 
Jan. 8 The city ancient landscape: challenges and resources. Visit to the Palatine, and the Roman Forum and the Capitoline Hill.
Jan. 9 Negotiating the territory with engineering: Visit to the Colosseum, its underground area and the Ludus Magnus. Forum of Augustus and Trajan. The Capitoline Hill. Optional: visit to the domus of Palazzo Valentini
Jan. 10 Land use planning and the Lowlands: The Circus Maximus, the Market Fora and the field of Mars: from the republican to the imperial times. The Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain
Jan. 11 Free Day
Jan. 12 Water resources of Imperial Rome: Caracalla baths, Diocletian baths
Visit to the National Rman Museum - Palazzo Massimo
Jan. 13 Territory resources and reinvention: Quarries to Catacombs 
Jan. 14 Ostia: the port city of ancient Rome: urban planning and landscape evolution
Afternoon: Twenty eight centuries of history on a single city block: Crypta Balbi National Museum (optional)
Jan. 15 On the footsteps of T. Ashby: Field trip inside the Roman aqueducts Anius Vetus and Marcio.  Course final remarks. Students are free to organize the last night in Rome. 
Jan. 16 Departure day


* Dates and itinerary subject to change. The Global Education Office reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, and/or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Program Cost

Winter 2022: $3,160


The Program Cost for study abroad courses is assessed separately from Mason tuition and fees. This means separate charges are put on your student account for this course, a study abroad tuition charge and a study abroad program fee charge, which together equal the published Program Cost for this course. 

Included: 
  • Application Deposit
  • Tuition and mandatory fees
  • Pre-Departure Orientation
  • Accommodations (university dormitory in Rome and hotel in Pompeii)
  • All breakfasts and some additional group meals
  • Guided tours and field excursions as described in itinerary
  • Transportation to all program sites
  • International emergency medical insurance.

Not included: 
  • Airfare*
  • Passport and visa fees
  • COVID-19 testing
  • Vaccinations
  • Some meals
  • Personal spending
  • Required textbooks and/or course materials.

*Note: This program does not include a group flight. Information regarding arrival times and location will be sent out to all participants after the application deadline. Do not purchase airfare until you receive the "Green Light for Flights" notice from the Global Education Office via email.

The notice will include information on the arrival/departure airports, flight times, and where to meet the group. Students who fail to follow the guidelines GEO sends out will be responsible for applicable costs of changing their flights. When the time comes to purchase airfare, GEO will be recommending the purchase of Flight Interruption and Cancellation Insurance. The “Green Light for Flights” email will provide additional information about this insurance. 

Program Payments

The full program fee is charged to your Mason Student Account. Students pay the Global Education Office (GEO) Program Fee as advertised in two payments (Application Deposit + Final Payment).

Application Deposit: $200 non-refundable Application Deposit must be received by the application deadline. This fee is paid online through the MasonAbroad application system and is included in the program fee.

Final Payment: The final balance is made through the Mason Bill+Payment system. Payment is due according to the Mason Payment Schedule. The amount due is the difference of your Program Cost minus the $200 you will have already paid, the Application Deposit.

Note: 
  • You can make your final payment in the Mason Bill+Payment system even if you do not see the GEO program charge on your student account.
  • George Mason University applies payments to outstanding charges first. If you have an outstanding balance from a previous semester your payments will first go to paying that charge. You will still be responsible for the GEO charge.

Financial Aid: In most cases, financial aid (federal, state, institutional financial aid, scholarships, grants or loans) can be used to finance study abroad. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the Office of Financial Aid to review their financial aid package. The Office of Financial Aid is the only office that can determine your aid eligibility. 
 
Meeting with your financial aid officer prior to applying to study abroad will help you understand if, how much, and when your aid can be used to study abroad.
 
Confirmation of your financial aid award may not be available until registration and billing for the term in question is final. If aid eligibility changes, or the amount of aid disbursed is lower than anticipated, students are responsible for all remaining account balances or risk late fees, holds on their accounts, and program dismissal.
 
To assist students in the processing of their financial aid, GEO will communicate with the Office of Financial aid those students who plan to utilize financial aid for their specific study abroad program through their application with GEO.  Please note there is no guarantee to students that their aid can be utilized for their specific study abroad program. 

If you plan to use federal, state, institutional financial aid, scholarships, grants or loans to finance your study abroad you must: 
  • Mark “Yes” to “Do you plan to use Financial Aid to finance your program (federal, state, institutional financial aid, scholarships, grants or loans)?” in your profile in MasonAbroad.gmu.edu.
After acceptance: 
* Students must be enrolled at least half-time for federal loans and the majority of grant funds. Please refer to the Financial Aid Website for a definition of half-time for undergraduate and graduate students: https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/eligibility.

VA Benefits: The Veterans Administration determines if a program is eligible to receive VA benefit payments based on the participants VA education program. Use of benefits is dependent on type of benefit and type of program. If you plan to use VA benefits to finance study abroad contact your program officer at MasonLed@gmu.edu to request the "Intent to Use VA Benefits Form." You will complete that form with Mason’s Office of Military Services. To contact Military Services be sure to email them directly at Military@gmu.edu.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy: All participants are bound by the Mason GEO Withdrawal and Refund Policy
 

Payment Instructions

For more information on payments, financial aid, and information for non-Mason students:

Payments

Scholarships

GEO offers a number of need- and merit-based scholarships. All Mason students on this program are welcome to apply:

Scholarships

Application Deadline:

October 10th 

 

Application requirements:*

Program Deposit: $200 for all applicants.

Course Selection Questionnaire: You will choose the course(s) you would like to be receive credit for on this program. Check the "Academics" tab to see what courses are offered on this program. If you need help selecting your course, check with your academic advisor.

Passport Status Questionnaire: You do not need a passport to complete this questionnaire or the application. However, if you do not have a valid passport, you should begin applying for one now. The Global Education Office offers Passport Grants to help.

Signature Documents: Read and electronically "sign" the documents regarding the acknowledgement of risk, the pre-departure orientation, and your financial responsibility.

Additional requirements for non-Mason applicants:

Official transcript: To be mailed or emailed to the Global Education Office at George Mason University.

Non-degree Contract Course/Admission Form: Please complete the form and upload it into the questionnaire.

* Additional application requirements may apply to individual programs. Once you open your application, you will see all application requirements.
 

Application instructions:

Academic Director

  Romeandpompeii faculty
Name Dr. Giuseppina Kysar Mattietti
Email gkysar@gmu.edu
Phone 703-993-9269

GEO Program Administrator

  Jada
Name Brittany Harris
Email masonled@gmu.edu
Phone 703-993-2155


Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Winter Break 2022 10/10/2021 ** Rolling Admission 01/02/2022 01/16/2022

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.