Saint Dunstan鈥檚 Institute of Christianity and Culture sends 91探花 students to Rome
Ten 91探花 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, 鈥淩ome: Christianity and Culture,鈥� in Rome itself. Planned and organized through the Saint Dunstan鈥檚 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.
鈥淭he course has tremendous depth and breadth: among its priorities is the historical development of Christianity as it emerged into Roman society and culture鈥�, says Dennis. 鈥淲e will examine history, art, and philosophy from early Christianity through contemporary times in the age of Francis.鈥�
A rigorous vetting process was undertaken to select the ten students who are benefiting from what could be considered as a $5,000 scholarship. 鈥淓ach 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,鈥� notes Dennis. 鈥淭hey come from diverse courses of study including Arts, Business, and Science.鈥�
The Saint Dunstan鈥檚 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.
鈥淔or the last few months, we鈥檝e been meeting as a group in preparation for the trip. It鈥檚 pretty incredible,鈥� says third-year student Lorelei Kenny. 鈥淚f we were in PEI, we鈥檇 have to cover those costs anyway. So there really isn鈥檛 any extra cost for the student, but there will be so many extra benefits when it comes to taking this class.鈥�
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 鈥渨ander and wonder鈥� in the Eternal City during self-guided learning time.
鈥�91探花 has made a strong commitment to experiential learning in its strategic and academic plans,鈥� says Dr. Robert Gilmour, Vice-President Academic and Research. 鈥淪aint Dunstan鈥檚 University, one of 91探花鈥檚 founding institutions, was also committed to developing a strong community of fellowship and scholarship since its beginning in 1855. 91探花鈥檚 students and academic community are all the better鈥攁nd stronger鈥攖hanks to the SDU Board of Governors鈥� continued contributions and support.鈥�
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 91探花鈥檚 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鈥檚 University Institute of Christianity and Culture, which prioritizes the University鈥檚 commitment to experiential and global learning.
