In Summer 2024,  Dr. Nathaniel Katz will be offering Classics courses through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy study abroad program, and the Department of Religious Studies and Classics is offering generous scholarships for students enrolling in these courses. Religious Studies and RSHP majors/minors can enroll in these courses for RELI credit. 

The program dates in Italy are mid May through late June, 2024, and the Study Abroad application deadline is February 25, 2024. The beautiful, historic town of Orvieto is only one hour from Rome. The program will include field trips to Rome and other locations in Italy. 

Courses

Dr. Katz will be offering the following courses for the summer 2024 Arizona in Orvieto, Italy study abroad program:

• CLAS 222: Classics through the Ages (Gen Ed Tier 2 Humanities). Description: In this course, we will explore the towns, museums, and galleries of Italy to learn how Greek and Roman myths have inspired artists, thinkers, and ordinary people over the centuries. Religious Studies & RSHP majors/minors can receive RELI credit for this course in Orvieto with Prof. Katz; to arrange for this, please contact Prof. Katz at nathanielkatz@arizona.edu.

• CLAS 335: The Roman Empire: Rulers and Ruled (Gen Ed Tier 2 Humanities / Exploring Perspectives, Humanist). Description: This course explores the Roman empire from the perspectives both of the ruling Romans, and of the non-Roman peoples they ruled in Italy and beyond. Religious Studies & RSHP majors/minors can receive RELI credit for this course in Orvieto with Prof. Katz; to arrange for this, please contact Prof. Katz at nathanielkatz@arizona.edu.

• CLAS/RELI 399 - Independent Study. Please contact Dr. Katz directly to discuss independent study options. (Only for majors/minors who have already taken CLAS 335 and need an upper-level CLAS/RELI course.)

Note: All the above courses can count toward the Classics major/minor, the Religious Studies major/minor, and the Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP) major/minor.

Generous Funding Available

Students are welcome to apply for any and all of the funding awards listed below for which they are eligible. Any questions can be directed to Dr. Karen Seat at kkseat@arizona.edu.

2024 Arizona in Orvieto Awards offered by the Department of Religious Studies & Classics 

General Arizona in Orvieto Award:

Awards of up to $1,500 are available for any UArizona student enrolled in CLAS 222 and/or CLAS 335 through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy Study Abroad Program. Priority will be given to majors or minors in the Department of Religious Studies & Classics, but all UArizona students (with any major/minor) can apply. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applications received.

Arizona in Orvieto Award for Majors in Classics and/or Religious Studies:

Additional awards of $1,000-$5,000 are available for majors in Classics, Religious Studies, and/or RSHP who are enrolled in CLAS 222 and/or CLAS 335 through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy Study Abroad Program. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applications received. Majors in the department will be considered for both the General Award and the Majors Award.

Majors should ALSO APPY for the following study abroad awards (more details are further below):

• College of Humanities FEARLESS INQUIRIES ABROAD Scholarship ($2,000) and other COH Study Abroad Scholarships: : Apply here
•  SILLC Global Award ($1,500): Apply here. 
• Cynthia White Travel and Study in Italy Award ($1,500): Apply here. 

Arizona in Orvieto Award Applications are Due February 19, 2024. Application instructions can be found here.

See below for additional study abroad scholarships! Once you prepare one good letter of application for a Study Abroad scholarship, you can repurpose that letter to apply for multiple scholarships. UArizona students are warmly encouraged to take advantage of the free services offered by writing specialists at WSIP to help craft a strong letter of application. Help with writing personal statements is one of the many free services WISP offers for UArizona students. Students are welcome to visit WSIP.Arizona.edu or email writingskills@arizona.edu to schedule an appointment.  

ADDITIONAL STUDY ABROAD FUNDING:

SILLC Global Award for SILLC Majors (Applications Due February 5, 2024):

Awards of up to $1,500 are available to SILLC majors to support participation in Study Abroad in 2024. SILLC majors include Classics, Religious Studies, Religious Studies for Health Professionals, Italian Studies and more. More information and application instructions can be found on the SILLC Global Award Fund webpage. 

More Info 

Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies Majors:

Majors in Religious Studies and Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP) who apply for the SILLC Global Award are automatically considered for the Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies. Award amounts are typically $600.

More Info 

Cynthia White Travel and Study in Italy Award 

Several awards of up to $1,500 are available for University of Arizona students enrolled in a UArizona Classics course while participating in Study Abroad programs in Italy. 

More Info 

College of Humanities Scholarships (Applications Due In February Each Year):

Numerous scholarships are available for College of Humanities majors (Classics, Religious Studies, Religious Studies for Health Professionals, etc.), including the FEARLESS INQUIRIES ABROAD scholarship ($2,000) and other study abroad scholarships.

More Info 

UA Study Abroad Office - Scholarships and Financial Aid:

Please contact the Study Abroad office to discuss additional funding opportunities to make your study abroad dreams a reality!

More Info 

Questions? Contact Dr. Karen Seat at kkseat@arizona.edu

The project examines how southern Arizona communities of faith, non-profit organizations, local and county officials, as well as a wide swath of individual volunteers, have responded to the rapid increase in asylum seekers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border after 2014, especially since 2018. Doctors Oglesby and Nava propose a collaborative project with Casa Alitas, southern Arizona’s largest migrant respite center, to document the stories of this community mobilization over the past decade. Oglesby and Nava will also go beyond Casa Alitas to include the experiences of other shelter spaces in Tucson and along the border. They focus on the experiences of those who have mobilized to provide care: How have changes along the border in the past years reshaped humanitarian action, and how has this, in turn, contributed to processes of community building in our region? We propose artistic and pedagogical means of dissemination of this research, as well as scholarly articles and essays.

More information

The Department of Religious Studies and Classics is happy to announce the winners of the Ora Bretall Scholarship Awards for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Awardees are Myana Hibbert and Mitch Emerson Conroy.

Congratulations to our outstanding Religious Studies majors!

Read (in their words) how majoring in Religious Studies has enriched their lives and studies:

Myana Hibbert:  Religious Studies is important because it's an opportunity to learn about different people and cultures. In my concentration, religious studies for health professionals, I have learned how religious knowledge can help to treat patients better. With the healthcare industry rapidly advancing, religious studies creates an alternative lens to solve modern day medical issues. With the help of this award, I can continue my education in higher education next year.

Mitch Emerson Conroy:  The academic study of religion is so important for understanding culture and people at a deeper level. Being a Religious Studies major has really shaped my journey through my time in college at the University of Arizona. I have enjoyed the variety of courses that I have been able to take and topics that I have been able to learn about through my Religious Studies major. I have been able to learn about such a wide variety of religions, which has allowed me to open up my worldview. All of the amazing professors and courses offered by the Religious Studies department have really helped further my education and my awareness of the world. The academic study of religion is crucial for creating a more inclusive environment and opening up the understanding of how religion impacts people and daily life.

The Department of Religious Studies and Classics is excited to offer support to University of Arizona students who would like to begin their study of Ancient Greek this winter! Ancient (classical) Greek is a requirement for the minor in New Testament Language and Literature.   

GRK 101 - Elementary Classical Greek I will be available fully online during the upcoming Winter Session (12/19/22-1/10/23). The course will be offered by Classics professor Dr. Arum Park. More information on enrolling in Winter Session can be found at summer-winter.arizona.edu.

For UA students interested in enrolling in GRK 101 in Winter 2022, the Department is offering multiple scholarships for full or partial support of Winter Session tuition. To be eligible for this funding, students must commit to enrolling in GRK 102 in the Spring 2023 semester.

To apply for funding to help cover Winter 2022 tuition for GRK 101, please submit your application materials by Friday, December 2, 2022. Application materials should be submitted as email attachments to Ms. Marcela Thompson at marcelathompson@arizona.edu.

The application must include 1) a statement of application and 2) a University of Arizona transcript. Detailed instructions are as follows:

1. Please submit a statement of application, which includes the following:

• At the top of your statement, please list 1) your name, 2) your University of Arizona email address, 3) your major(s) and minor (if applicable), 4) your anticipated graduation date from the University of Arizona, and 5) a statement confirming that you have enrolled in GRK 102 for the following Spring semester.
• In 1-2 pages, respond to the following prompts:
  • Describe what you find interesting about studying classical Greek. Why would you like to pursue this course of study?
  • Describe your commitment and ability to devote significant time to the study of classical Greek during Winter Session.
  • Briefly discuss your financial needs for tuition coverage for Winter Session.
  • Note any academic strengths and qualifications you have that will help you make the most of this opportunity for intensive language study.
  • Finally, please list the name and contact information of a UA faculty member who can serve as a reference for you.

2. The application also requires a University of Arizona transcript. It is fine to send an unofficial transcript.

To apply, please email all application materials listed above to Ms. Marcela Thompson (marcelathompson@arizona.edu) by December 2, 2022.

Questions? Contact Dr. Arum Park at arumpark@arizona.edu.