Summary

This three-week University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty-led program titled Conflict and Culture explores the relationship between violence and the formation of national identities in the unique cultural setting of Istria. Starting with the origins of European "vampire plagues" which emerged in the areas of intense cultural contact between different civilizations during the 17th and 18th centuries, the seminar provides insight into the lesser-known areas of cultural history of Europe and its relationship to the formation of national identity. Focusing on the historical traumas caused by the war and ethnic strife, the seminar examines specific ways for resolving the conflict and developing tolerant notion of shared culture. The course is conducted in Istria, one of the "border zones" which is presently located in the Republic of Croatia, a meeting place of Slavic, Italian and Germanic cultural traditions. Students will be based in Rovinj, a beautiful museum-city on the shores of the Adriatic sea, taking classes in the Italian cultural center located in a 17th century villa.

Rovinj was an island until the 17th century when the narrow channel separating the city from the mainland was filled to accommodate the growing population of the area as a naval and mercantile outpost of the Venetian Republic. The area has a rich historical legacy due to the constant exchange between Slavic, Latin, and Germanic cultures. The residents of Rovinj are multilingual and of mixed ethnic makeup. Croatian and Italian are used interchangeably and due to tourism and its border location, many of its residents also speak German and English. Istria is an excellent setting for UW-Madison students keen on studying a variety of topics, from literature to politics and anthropology.

Academics

The seminar format will emphasize an interactive and interdisciplinary approach, with a minimum of lecturing from the seminar leader and local anthropologists, sociologists and cultural activists and a maximum of discussion and immersion into the culturally diverse context of the Istrian peninsula. The activities will include field trips to the archeological sites from Roman times, as well as to the more recent monuments from Venetian and Austro-Hungarian periods. The struggle for memory between the "official story" and the alternative ones will also be presented in class. Special attention will be paid to the emergence of dialogue between different cultures in the region. Students will be required to keep a dialogue journal of their experience in and out of class. This journal will be the basis for the grade for the course, along with presentations on class readings, participation and in-class discussions.

This international seminar is worth three credits. Students will earn credit in either Slavic 245: Topics in Slavic Literature (undergraduate students) or Slavic 755: Topics in Slavic Literature (graduate students).

Cost

Program cost information includes not only program fees, but out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Accepted students receive cost sheets with confirmed program fees in their acceptance packets.

Summer 2008-09 Cost Estimate Sheet Summer 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet

Location

The city of Rovinj, on the peninsula of Istria on the northeastern shores of the Adriatic Sea. Rovinj was originally an island but in the 17th century the narrow channel separating the city from the mainland was filled to accommodate the growing population of the area as a naval and mercantile outpost of the Venetian Republic. The area has a rich historical legacy due to the constant exchange between Slavic, Latin and Germanic cultures. Immune to the virulent nationalism that has devastated the rest of the region, this part of Croatia offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into European ideas of ethnic and religious tolerance.

Student Life

Orientation:  A pre-program site-specific orientation will take place in Madison during spring semester prior to the program.

Housing:  Housing and two daily meals are included in the program fee and will be provided by a villa located in Rovinj. Students stay in double rooms with other program participants and get breakfast and dinner daily. Accommodations are centrally located in Rovinj.

Excursions and Activities:  Students will participate in field trips to the relevant sites where the stories and legends about the cultural others have originated. Field trips will be made to the different areas of Istria, divided between Croatia and Italy. Students will visit Vodnjan, a church with medieval relics of Christian saints and Dvigrad, a medieval ruined city among other locations. In Central Istria, students will visit Kringa, the village haunted by Jure Grando, the first European vampire to be described by the German historian, Valvassor in 1672. In Italy, students will visit Risiero di San Saba, a World War II Memorial of the concentration camp and a foiba with unmarked graves among other sites.