INTENSIVE THREE-WEEK IMMERSION FOR HEARING STUDENTS
June 6^th - 27^th 2009 . Siena, ITALY

The primary objective of our program is to give our students an opportunity to get to know a different "slice" of the Deaf world.
The Deaf Community is considered a transnational community; the "Deaf Nation" can be considered a country without borders, which stretches to all parts of the world. However, sign language, a common denominator, varies, as do spoken languages, from country to country, from one culture to the next, from one community to another.

Our program provides participants with a basic working knowledge of Italian, Italian Sign Language (LIS) and of Deaf Culture in Italy, both intimately connected to the history of Deaf Educations from the past to the present, and to Italian culture in general.
Historically, the city of Siena has been a crucial landmark for Deaf Education, thanks to the presence of one of Europe's most famous Deaf institutes, the Istituto Pendola, founded in 1828 by Tommaso Pendola. This institution, though no longer active as a school, continues to offer a variety of educational services to Deaf children through its after-school program.  It boasts an extensive library devoted exclusively to material relevant to Deaf issues and education. Furthermore, it houses the headquarters of the Sienese branch of the National Deaf Association (ENS), thus, thriving as a valuable meeting place and cultural center.

Participants in our program will have the chance to delight in the tastes and colors of Italian culture in the breathtakingly beautiful Tuscan city of Siena while, at the same time, deepening their understanding of the history of Deaf Culture in Italy through direct personal contact with the community members raised and educated at the Pendola.
The cross-cultural exchange within our program creates a rare opportunity to gather firsthand accounts of the past in order to better understand the present, keeping alive a vital history to be discovered within the hands of the Sienese Deaf Community.

Program Description
The LIS course, through a unique storytelling method, will enable students to start conversing and engaging in dialogues from the very first day. An essential part of the course will be meeting members of the local deaf community.

The Deaf Culture course will introduce students to Italy through the lens of Italian Deaf Culture and by meeting members of the Deaf Community. Though the Deaf Community is often perceived as a transnational community, the distinct national cultures in which Deaf people live are of tremendous importance. We will explore the Italian situation by taking both a historical and sociological approach.

The Italian language course has the aim of providing essential language tools to our beginner students. Language acquisition will happen both in the classroom and at home, since all students will be living with Italian hosts.

Course Hours
LIS and Italian Deaf Culture:  60 contact hours
Italian:                                    24 contact hours

Instructors
LIS - Luigi Lerose, PhD candidate in Linguistics, University of Klangefurt; LIS Instructor, Siena School.
DEAF CULTURE - Rita Sala, MA in Sociology; professional interpreter and vice-president ANIOS (National Association of Sign Language Interpreters); Deaf Culture Instructor, Siena School.
ITALIAN LANGUAGE - Claudia Marulo, PhD in Italian Literature, University of Siena.
                                     Roberto Fineschi, PhD in Philosophy, University of Palermo.

Staff
Scottie Allen, MA in Deaf Studies, Gallaudet University

Program Dates
Arrival in Pisa June 6^th
Ground transport is arranged from Pisa. Should you decide not to use this service and make your own way to Siena, we request that you inform us and that you be in touch with our office to organize your arrival in Siena.

End of program  June 27^th
Please make sure your return flight leaves no earlier than 1 pm on Saturday 27^th, to allow you time to get to the airport.
The Siena School organizes ground transport for students' arrival only

costs
Cost breakdown:
- Tuition                                                                         1.200,00€
- Half-Board & Lodging with Italian Homestay                 650,00€
- Program Fees:
      supervision of homestay
      cultural visits
      bus pass                                                                    500,00€
      final dinner
      wireless internet at the program center
      transcript
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