Art Nouveau Walks

3 semester credits. This immersive course focuses on the Art Nouveau movement, known as Liberty style in Italy. Through a series of meaningful walks, students will delve into the defining characteristics of Liberty buildings, from the elegant curves and organic forms to the intricate details like wrought ironwork and stained glass. Each lesson will focus on a distinct aspect of Liberty design, namely the use of floral, female, and natural motifs, the artistry of materials and mosaics, and the influence of the movement on urban planning and community-making. Students will analyze the craftsmanship and symbolism embedded in these architectural illustrations. Beyond aesthetics, the course explores the social and cultural context that shaped and was shaped by this movement. The approach of this course is based on experiencing the city as the academic space for learning and engagement. Classes are not held in a traditional, frontal-style setting; each lesson is carefully mapped for curricular content and featured locations: lectures, observations, exercises, analysis, and reflections on presented topics are held in relevant sites that are accounted for in the academic planning, syllabus, and related course material. Coursework and submissions will be regularly assessed on the MyFUA platform through daily assignments in addition to exams, papers, and projects. Learning through the on-site classroom approach fosters a deeper understanding of the cultural environment and how it is related to the subject of study represented by the course, and allows the overall experience to contribute to the students' academic and personal enrichment.