Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Liberal Arts and Sciences External Progamming and the Division of International Programs’ Study Abroad Office (SAO), in cooperation with the NIU Department of Anthropology, coordinate this program.

 PROGRAM DATES:  The overseas component of the program will officially begin in Sicily on Monday, May 23 and will end on June 20, 2005.  Student should therefore plan to arrive on May 22 and depart on June 21.

 PROGRAM DIRECTOR:  Michael J. Kolb, associate professor of Anthropology in the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has taught Old World archaeology at NIU for the past six years, and has directed three NIU field schools in Hawai’i, and three field schools in Sicily.

 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:  The primary goal of this program is to teach practical archaeological skills in a research environment.  The field school is part of the Monte Polizzo Archaeological Project, a multinational Sicilian, Scandinavian, and American project focusing on the site of Monte Polizzo and the surrounding Belice Valley in the western-central portion of the Sicily.  Monte Polizzo is a proto-urban hill top site used for nearly 1200 years and encompasses the Bronze, Early Iron, Elymian, and Hellenistic periods in the island's history.  The surrounding valley settlement system is filled with additional Neolithic, Hellenistic and Roman sites.  The valley's long occupation period, coupled with the diversity of archaeological cultures present in the area, make it an ideal training ground in archaeological methodology and provide ample evidence for introducing participants to the fascinating aspects of both classical and prehistoric archaeology.  This field school is undertaken in conjunction with the universities of Gothenburg, Oslo, Palermo, and Stanford.

Through participation in this program, participants will gain the following:

1)                  An introduction and practical application of archaeological sampling and field methodology.

2)                  Field experience in archaeological survey techniques.

3)                  Field experience in archaeological excavation techniques.

4)                  Laboratory experience in pottery analysis.

5)                  Exposure to a broad range of artifacts (Neolithic through Medieval).

6)                  A multi-cultural experience with other international students and exposure to a new culture.

HIGHLIGHTS: Salemi is located less than 30 miles away from 15 ancient and medieval archaeological sites, and six outstanding beaches.   The project team makes bi-weekly excursions to these locales.  Historically, program participants and administrators have had an excellent rapport with the local community.

 

THE SITE OF THE PROGRAM: Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and is separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina.  The island is roughly triangular in shape and with adjacent small islands forms a region of Italy.

Salemi, Sicily:  Salemi is in the province of Trapani, western Sicily.  It is located in the hill country between the rivers Delia and Mercanzotto (altitude of 446 m).  Salemi is a quaint medieval hilltop town (population 12,200).  The primary economy is agriculture.  This region is full of history and is ideal for an archaeological expedition.  Salemi is the ancient city of Halicyae of the Elymian tribe, who were allies with Segesta in the wars against Syracuse in the Classical Age.  It was also a Roman city.  During the middle ages, the Arabs built an extensive castle and walled the city.  The modern name of Salemi dates to this period.  “Salam” in Arabic, means health and safety.  Under Norman occupation in the middle ages, Salemi was under the control of one of most powerful families of the Sicilian nobility, but later became a royal city.  Frederick II of Swabia remodeled the castle at this time.  Salemi was also important during Italy’s fight for independence, where it served as Italy’s first capitol.  Salemi was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1968, and is still in the throes of rebuilding.

 

UNDERGRADUATE CREDIT:

ANTH 490C Anthropological Research Training: Archaeology 3 semester hours
Description: Training and experience in field and/or laboratory research. Students participate, under supervision, in basic research projects. Any lettered section may be repeated to a maximum of 6 semester hours. Total credit may not exceed 6 semester hours.
Prerequisite: Consent of department.

OR

ANTH 493C Anthropology Field Study 3 or 6 semester hours
Description: Directed field study or field school. Each topic may be repeated to a maximum of 12 semester hours.
Prerequisite: Consent of department.

GRADUATE CREDIT:

ANTH 590C Independent Study in Anthropology: Archaeology 3 semester hours
Description: Supervised readings or research in specialized areas, topics, or problems in anthropology. Any one course may be repeated to a maximum of 6 semester hours.
Prerequisite: Written permission of the department.

 

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

¨ A brief essay outlining your background in archaeology, your interest in this program, as well as how the program will assist you academically and in the future.

¨ Must be at least 18 years old.

¨ Approval from the Professor Kolb and the chair of the Department of Anthropology.

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS: General good health is required for this rigorous program, which includes a large amount of walking over very hard and frequently irregular surfaces. The weather will be hot, so endurance is a plus.

APPLICATION FORMS AND DEPOSIT: AN application is considered complete once the following materials are in the External Progamming Office:

1) A completed application form

2) A clear and readable copy of the first page of passport

3) $200 deposit

4) An official academic transcript

$200 DEPOSIT: Each application must be accompanied by a $200 check or money order (made payable to NIU). Applications that are not accompanied by the $200 deposit will be returned to the sender. The $200 will be applied to the NIU program cost if the applicant is formally admitted to the program (This $200 is also required of individuals who will be applying for financial aid.)

APPLICATION AND ADMISSION PROCEDURES: The program is open to individuals who have an interest in the areas of archaeology and anthropology. Currently enrolled students must meet NIU Office of Admission or Graduate School, as well as Department of Anthropology and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences course and GPA requirements. Students must be in good academic standing at the time of application. Students who are on academic probation are not eligible to participate. Applicants must participate in the entire program and satisfy NIU undergraduate admission and course requirements.

TRANSCRIPTS: For undergraduate students to be admitted to the program, an applicant's official transcript must be on file in the External Programming Office. Students who are currently enrolled at NIU, or who have previously enrolled at NIU, do not need to request an official transcript; the External Programming Office will make this request on behalf of the applicant. Students who want to participate in the program and earn academic credit from NIU who have not previously enrolled at NIU, or who are not currently enrolled at NIU, should ask the registrar at their home institution to forward an official transcript as soon as possible to the External Programming/Study Abroad Offices. (Student-issued and photocopied transcripts are not acceptable.) Questions relating to the admission requirements or transcripts should be directed to the NIU External Programming.

Students who desire to obtain graduate credit must either be admitted to a graduate program within the NIU Graduate School, or be admitted to the status of a "student-at-large" (SAL) within NIU's Graduate School. For students to be admitted to the program for graduate credit, the applicant's official transcript must be on file in the External Programming Office. Students who are currently enrolled at NIU, or who have previously enrolled at NIU, do not need to request an official transcript. However, students who will participate in the program in order to earn academic credit as an SAL (students who have not currently enrolled nor previously enrolled at NIU) must provide a transcript from the baccalaureate institution and from any institution at which graduate credit has been earned. This document must be provided to the SAO before a student can be admitted as an SAL to the program. (Student issued and photocopied transcripts are not acceptable.)

NIU students cannot have any encumbrances against their records. Any encumbrances placed on a student's records by NIU (i.e., the Graduate School, Undergraduate Admissions, Bursar's Office, Accounts Receivable, Registration and Records, Health Services, Parking Services, etc.) must be cleared before a student is granted admission.

FINAL DATE FOR APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM: April 2, 2005.

Applications submitted to the SAO after this final date must be accompanied by a check or money order for the full program cost to be considered for acceptance in this program. After April 2, External Programming will not accept applications that are not accompanied by the full program costs.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS: From 17 May - through June 14 participants will reside in a dormitory with four to six students per room, along with shared bath and toilet facilities. A total of 17 meals per week are provided throughout the period of residency (outstanding evening meals provided by Sicilian cooks). Beverages (alcohol, soft drinks, water, etc.) are not included in the program cost.

LAND TRANSPORTATION: The group will travel by vehicle to and from the project each day. This transportation is provided as part of the NIU program cost.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Individuals will be responsible for making their own air travel arrangements between the U.S. and Palermo, Italy, and for purchasing their tickets from a travel agent or airline of their choice. (Travel insurance is recommended). Participants should keep in mind that in order to begin studies on 19 May, they must arrive in Palermo on 18 May, and therefore depart North America on 17 May.

NIU PROGRAM COST: The cost of the four-week program in Sicily is payable in full to NIU by April 2. The program cost pays for the following cost related services:

1) Dormitory style accommodations in Sicily from May 23 - June 20 (departing June 21).

2) 17 meals per week.

3) Program-related land transportation in Sicily.

4) Admission fees to cultural and historical sites visited as part of the daily schedule.

5) Fee for acquiring a visa to work in Sicily.

6) NIU tuition for 3 or 6 hours of undergraduate or graduate credit.

7) NIU major medical insurance.

PROGRAM COST: $3300

Price subject to change pending currency exchange fluctuations.

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO PARTICIPANTS: Cost of acquiring an American passport (approximately $65, including two passport pictures); roundtrip airfare; and purchases and travel of a personal nature.

FINANCIAL AID: As a participant in the field school through NIU, you may be eligible for: Pell Grant, SEOG, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan, Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, MAP Award or your privately awarded scholarship with consent of awarding organization. Tuition waivers do not apply. Information is also available through External Programming and Study Abroad regarding scholarships offered by the Institute for International Education (application deadline is mid-March). Please contact the International Programs business manager at (815) 753-9530 for more information.

PASSPORT: All participants are expected to possess a passport in order to participate in this program. Important Note: U.S. passports must be valid SIX months beyond the intended stay overseas. Individuals who do not currently posses a valid passport should apply for one immediately. Information on acquiring a passport is available at the U.S. State Department's Website: http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html. Foreign passport holders may need special visas for travel in Sicily and are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I.D. CARD: Participants have the option of purchasing an International Student Identity Card through the NIU Study Abroad Office. Students may be able to obtain a reduction on airfare, cultural site admission fees, and bus and train fares for free time pursuits. IDs may be purchased for $22 from the NIU Study Abroad Office.

The International Student Identity Card also includes a limited health and accident insurance policy that is only valid outside the U.S. Students will have to pay bills at the time of treatment and will be reimbursed later. Students should, however, have a more comprehensive insurance plan to supplement the ID insurance.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAM: Requests for withdrawal from the program must be submitted in writing and must arrive in the SAO no later than April 2 in order to receive a refund. NIU will submit deposits to overseas vendors on behalf of program participants on April 2.

Applicants withdrawing from the program after this date will be held accountable for any funds obligated on their behalf. This provision is in effect even if the applicant has not submitted the $200 deposit, and if the applicant is applying for financial aid.

If the applicant must withdraw after April 2 for medical reasons, the $200 deposit and any retrievable monies will be refunded only if the request is submitted to the SAO in writing and accompanied by a signed statement from a physician.

CANCELLATION OF THE PROGRAM: The Field School Staff reserves the right to cancel this program if the minimum required enrollment is not attained. If, prior to the commencement of the program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning is issued for Italy or Sicily, all applicants will be notified promptly of the warning and the possibility of cancellation of the program. In the event that NIU's Division of International Programs cancels the program, students shall receive a full refund of all monies. If, during the course of the program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning is issued for Italy or Sicily, students will be promptly notified of the warning and the advisability of canceling the program.