SAIC SCHOLARS PROGRAM COURSEWORK

Fall 2023

As a cohort, students will take two shared courses together.

Winter or Summer 2024 or 2025

Within the first two years (4 semesters) of enrolling in the Scholars Program, students will participate in a Scholars-only study trip to Siena, Italy. This trip will fulfill several degree requirements.

Living the Past in the Present: the Art of Archive | Siena

Through a partnership with the Siena Art Institute (SART), students will experience the history, tradition and culture of Siena, one of Italy’s most important medieval cities and home to numerous works of art and architecture, as well as a wide array of archives, collections and research centers. Students will develop insight into how historical study can spark their growth as contemporary artists, designers, and visual scholars. Our study in Siena will be augmented by excursions to Florence to learn about seminal achievements in Renaissance art and architecture, and to San Gimignano to visit its medieval towers and Galleria Continua, an internationally known contemporary art space.

Studio work will take place and faculty may require a final critique subsequent to the class during the following semester.

SAIC Scholars students will be granted $3,000 toward the cost of their study trip.

Spring 2024 and Beyond

In the spring semester, Scholars will complete their English (First Year Seminar II) and Art History Survey (Art History 1002) requirements taking specialized Scholars-only sections of these courses.

Graduate with Distinction

Scholars will continue to have opportunities to take selected courses together during their second year. Scholars who complete all required first and second year courses will be granted priority registration for their remaining terms of study, to maximize their ability to construct academically-challenging and creativelyinvigorating class schedules.

Scholars who successfully complete seven (7) Scholars course requirements during their undergraduate career will earn a Bachelor’s degree “with Distinction” upon graduation, and their transcripts and diploma will reflect this achievement.

SAIC SCHOLARS PROGRAM Q&A

Will I be taking more credit hours than my peers during fall and spring semesters of my first year?

No. SAIC Scholars students take 15 credits in their fall semester and 15 in the spring semester. However within the first 2 years (by the fourth semester), they will participate in a 3-credit hour winter interim or summer study trip for studio credit. In total, they will likely take 33 credits in the academic year in which they participate in the study trip.

Does the study trip fulfill any of my degree requirements?

Yes. The study trip fulfills degree requirements and additionally, all SAIC students are required to take 6 credits of off-campus study. This trip fulfills half of that requirement.

How do I ensure my place in the SAIC Scholars Program?

Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please indicate your commitment to be a part of the program by May 1. Information on how to confirm your participation is included in the enclosed letter.

Learn more about the SAIC Scholars Program at saic.edu/saicscholars