Academic Streams • Skills Workshops • Morning Current Events Roundtable Excursions and Travel • Activities at the Villa • Daily Schedule • Living Arrangements and Rules of Conduct • Health and Safety
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Academic Streams

Academic Stream I

"Globalization: What Does It Really Mean and Why Should I Care?"

What is globalization? Why do some oppose it violently while others vigorously defend it? Economic globalization is one of the most significant and commonly misunderstood phenomena of our time. Through lessons, case studies, discussions and weekly debates, students will gain a thorough understanding of the key issues underlying one of the most salient topics of their generation. Topics covered and questions addressed will include:

1) What is globalization?

2) Economic globalization: Who wins, who loses?

3) Globalization and history: Are we living in unique times?

4) Governing globalization: The World Bank, the IMF and the WTO. What are they and what do they do?

5) The ethics of globalization: human rights, global poverty and international development

6) Controversial issues and debates: thinking critically about how globalization affects you


Academic Stream II

“Public Policy Analysis: Government Solutions to Social Problems”

This public policy track introduces participants to the tools of government decision making. Case studies in the area of drug and crime policy are used to explore various policy approaches to social problems. Participants will learn how politics, economics, geography, race and gender affect government policy making. Several issues related to these policy areas will be discussed and debated, and by the end of the course, participants will be able to apply the approaches learned to other issue-areas. The following specific questions will be addressed:

1) What are the pros and cons of government intervention to address social problems?

2) What are some ways that different governments approach current policy debates? What are the costs and benefits of each approach?

3) Why might different policies be considered effective? What tools do we have to answer this question?

4) How might identical statistics be interpreted to reach different policy prescriptions?

5) How do race and gender play a role in determining criminal justice outcomes?
Academic Stream III

“Ancient Philosophy: The Origins of Western Thought”

The foundation of our ethics, laws, and views of our place in the universe is rooted in the philosophy of the ancients.  Through primary source readings of the Pre-Socratics, we will explore the evolution of Western philosophy, culminating in the integration of these conceptions by Plato.  Then we will turn to the triumph of Socrates himself as revealed by a close reading of Plato’s Apology.  The students will be encouraged to engage in lively debate at every turn, while thinking critically about these works. Topics covered will include:

       1)    Early concepts of the physical nature of the cosmos

       2)    Motion and multiplicity of objects

       3)  The quest for a rational universe

       4)    The immortality of the soul

       5)    The limits of knowledge

 

Latin (Optional for all students)

Students who choose the "Latin Option"  and have no previous Latin experience will be given a basic foundation in the language.  All 5 declensions of nouns and the indicative active and passive system of verbs will be covered.  This will enable the students to continue their studies with confidence and enthusiasm.

Students who have studied Latin at their respective schools will be evaluated upon their arrival and grouped according to ability.  Appropriate material will be chosen with a view toward dovetailing with the themes that arise from their other pursuits at the institute.

 
 

2009 Academy Dates:

July 10th - July 31st

July 10th-25th: RISE will be at our Roman Villa

July 25th-31st: Tuscan Travel

Application period for 2009 closed

Applications will re-open in the fall of 2010

What Does RISE Offer?

  • Expert instruction and advice from already accomplished "mentor-scholars"
  • Relevant academic streams and skills workshops to foster engaged, globally aware, and culturally curious citizens who are equipped and inspired to provide leadership in an increasingly challenging world.
  • Lifetime access to an elite network of RISE alumni
  • Two weeks in a 19th Century private Villa in Rome, Italy and the third week spent traveling the region
  • Excursions to cultural sites and exotic regional destinations
  • All-inclusive price, no hidden fees — less than $300 a day 
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