Division of Continual Learning
MALS Study/Travel Abroad
Sustainable Life on a Tuscan Farm, Fall 2008
Study the culture and food of rural Italy.
Spend a week on an organic farm in Tuscany.
September 29 - October 7, 2008
If you have dreamed of a rich, imbedded and diverse experience of Tuscan food, culture and countryside, this is your opportunity. Sign up for the second offering of this MLS course led by Dr. Charlie Headington.
La Tenuta di Spannocchia began as a medieval estate for a wealthy Sienese banking family and continues to this day under the Cinelli family, some of whom live and work on the farm. Many of the buildings are medieval in origin—the castle and the large farm residences—while others, mainly the family villa, come from the 16th century and later. You will occupy the same rooms that workers and family lived in for centuries in which windows overlook a Tuscan valley of great calm and beauty. For pictures and more information, look at www.spannocchia.com.
We will study diverse food production processes, visit farms, learn the history of a medieval farm-estate and the architecture of rural buildings, and have opportunity to explore and enjoy the rural life in Tuscany. Italians will introduce us to their language and customs, guide us through tastings of food—olive oil, cheese, wine, and salami, and show us the farm. One of Spannocchia’s former cooks will conduct a cooking class. She’ll show you how to make pasta or gnocchi, sauces, and Tuscan sweets. A long lunch will follow.
After a day of workshops, working on the farm, or field trips, we will sip the estate wine and then enjoy a four-course dinner of food grown, gathered or hunted on their land. Try some wild boar in a chocolate-wine sauce, a rabbit stew, or a meatloaf of venison. There is always a pasta dish or soup to begin the meal, farm-grown organic vegetables to compliment the meat, salad and a sweet for dessert. After each dinner we will meet for class discussion.
We will take trips to nearby towns, museums, farms and vineyards. Our field trips may include a cheese producing sheep farm, an apiary (honey is very important to Italians), or an ancient cloister. Classical and whimsical gardens are nearby. Spannocchia itself has 1200 acres with trails to ancient ruins, a castle, and a Roman bridge. There also will be time just to relax.
A Description of the Entire Course, 10 Weeks, August 18 - October 31, 2008
The first part of our course of study (Aug-Sep, 2008) will place the travel experience in the context of Italy, Tuscany, rural culture, and historical Spannocchia. Each of these contexts is articulated in a separate book. Students will write and post their critical responses to each book and, in turn, respond to one another.
The second part of the course will be an eight night stay, Sep 29-Oct 7, Monday –Tuesday, at Tenuta di Spannocchia, (“tenuta” refers to a large landholding), a working farm and educational center. This will be our base; we will participate in their farm life and take field trips in the region.
The third part of the course will be a paper on a topic of your choice that combines research and your experience in Italy. It is due three weeks after the week in Tuscany.
The cost of the stay for eight nights, meals and tours included, will be $1950, discounted to $1900 if registered by January 1. (In 2006 the cost was $1500, but it was only seven days and the dollar was stronger.) Round-trip airfare—you are on your own—is about $1000. In addition, you must pay the UNCG tuition for an MLS course.
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due on March 1 to the MALS office. The remainder is due by June 30.
Your teacher is Dr. Charlie Headington, a familiar MALS teacher and member of the UNCG faculty, who led this class in Italy in 2006 and has traveled to Italy and stayed at Spannocchia as a worker for many years. He is assisted by his wife Deborah Seabrooke, also a MALS and UNCG professor, who shares his interest in Spannocchia and the Italian language and culture.
Contact Julee Johnson at 336-334-4597 or jcjohnso@uncg.edu or Dr. Charlie Headington at 336-273-7292 or Charlie.headington@gmail.com.
**UNCG reserves the right to cancel or alter the program format or to change costs in case of conditions beyond its control.
Information Sessions
Slides of Spannocchia and the last class. Possible activities. Questions answered. Food.
November 15 or 16, 7:00 p.m. (Choose one; each evening will present the same material.)
Dr. Headington’s home
515 N. Mendenhall Street, Greensboro, NC
336-273-7292