Saint Dunstan’s Institute of Christianity and Culture sends UPEI students to Rome
Ten UPEI students will have the learning experience of a lifetime in Italy, thanks to the Saint Dunstan's University (SDU) Board of Governors.
From May 6-27, the students will participate in a course, “Rome: Christianity and Culture,” in Rome itself. Planned and organized through the Saint Dunstan’s Institute of Christianity and Culture, the course will be led by Dr. Robert Dennis, SDU Visiting Scholar, and Dr. Joe Velaidum, associate professor of religious studies. The students will be based in Rome, but they will have the opportunity to visit Pompeii, Assisi, Florence, and Siena.
“The course has tremendous depth and breadth: among its priorities is the historical development of Christianity as it emerged into Roman society and culture”, says Dennis. “We will examine history, art, and philosophy from early Christianity through contemporary times in the age of Francis.”
A rigorous vetting process was undertaken to select the ten students who are benefiting from what could be considered as a $5,000 scholarship. “Each participant is impressive. Four of the students also hold prestigious SDU Scholarships, and all ten of them have significant academic achievement in the Catholic Studies program,” notes Dennis. “They come from diverse courses of study including Arts, Business, and Science.”
The Saint Dunstan’s Institute of Christianity and Culture will cover the cost of flights, insurance, on-the-ground transportation, accommodations, guided tours, and entrance fees at historical and cultural sites. Students are expected to cover the cost of their own meals and to pay for the course and textbooks.
“For the last few months, we’ve been meeting as a group in preparation for the trip. It’s pretty incredible,” says third-year student Lorelei Kenny. “If we were in PEI, we’d have to cover those costs anyway. So there really isn’t any extra cost for the student, but there will be so many extra benefits when it comes to taking this class.”
The main textbook, created specifically for this class, is an e-text designed for the 21st-century learner. It includes all of the required readings, along with maps, logistical information, and short videos that cover all of the relevant historical background information for the course. The other required text is Roman Walks, which will allow students to “wander and wonder” in the Eternal City during self-guided learning time.
“UPEI has made a strong commitment to experiential learning in its strategic and academic plans,” says Dr. Robert Gilmour, Vice-President Academic and Research. “Saint Dunstan’s University, one of UPEI’s founding institutions, was also committed to developing a strong community of fellowship and scholarship since its beginning in 1855. UPEI’s students and academic community are all the better—and stronger—thanks to the SDU Board of Governors’ continued contributions and support.”
On May 10, UofPEI Snapchat followers can take in some of the daily sites and scenes in Italy as students use the account to share the trip from their perspective.
In the fall of 2015, the SDU Board of Governors contributed a $1 million leadership gift to UPEI’s Inspire campaign, with $400,000 and $100,000 dedicated to engineering and athletics respectively, two of the campaign priorities. The remaining $500,000 was used to create the Saint Dunstan’s University Institute of Christianity and Culture, which prioritizes the University’s commitment to experiential and global learning.
