CSUF Article on Summer Program in Florence

Summer School in Florence

Students to Attend International Media Workshops

It's the opportunity to explore a European city and culture while attending classes — what could be more appealing to a group of 26 California State University students?

This month, they're beginning a four-week program that blends academics — in the form of courses in feature article writing and Italian cinema, plus guest lectures — with a cultural experience exploring the art, food, people and sites of Florence and surrounding communities.

"We wanted to give students opportunities to learn and enhance the classroom experience," said Tony R. Fellow, chair and professor of communications, who coordinates the International Media Workshops in Florence program. "This program helps students experience the communications field in a community and culture far different from their own.

"It's been very well-received and has continued to grow," said Fellow. Students from Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona are joining the Cal State Fullerton program this year.

Cal State Fullerton students participating in this summer's program are:
Buena Park — Melanie Arce
Corona — Emmanuel
Escondido — Gina Baxter and Caroline Wagner
Fullerton — Gabriela Valdez
Hacienda Heights — Carolina Gonzalez
La Habra — Kristin Swinford
La Habra Heights — Yvette Garciaparra
La Puente — Diana Martinez and Larry Tse
Loma Linda — Stephanie Albertine
Los Angeles — Akejandra Ulloa
Mission Viejo — Nancy Cunningham
Moreno Valley — Benh Pham
Redondo Beach — Alexander Reynolds
San Carlos — Jessica Barron
San Diego — Dominic Sanfilippo
Spring, Texas — Chad Anderson

Participants from Cal State San Bernardino are:
Hesperia — Breanna Nece
Highland — Holly Roy
Oak Hills — Stephanie Lumley
Phelan — Joy Kuhns
Redlands — Heyley Favorite
Riverside — Priscilla Torres
San Bernardino — Elizabeth Anne Johnson

Also taking part is Sean Dan of Rowland Heights, a student at Cal Poly Pomona.

"I would like to expand and develop similar programs in other countries, like Argentina," said Fellow, who believes so strongly in the program that he and his wife created a scholarship for students studying abroad. Fellow also would like to develop a center for the study of media and politics in Florence, which could bring scholars and professionals together each summer to discuss world issues.

Last summer, Fellow served as Fulbright Vercelli Chair at the University of Piemonte in Milan, where he taught 20th-century mass communications history, as well as a course on the press and modern society. While there, he also conducted research in world media history and the conflict between Muslims and Catholics in Italy.