University of Siena

Our program with the University of Siena in Siena, Italy is designed to give students a chance to study International Law and Politics in an Italian Law School. Siena is situated three hours north of Rome and one hour southwest of Florence by bus.

Law and Politics in SIENA
Eligibility
Application Process
Course of Study
Cost
The University and City
Cancellation Policy
Additional Information
www.unisi.it
Siena Contacts
Law School Contacts

Eligibility

The program is designed for students matriculating at the University of Connecticut School of Law. First and second year day division students are eligible to apply to study abroad in their second or third year. Evening division students and four-year students are eligible to apply in their second or third year to study abroad in their third or fourth year. All classes are in Italian and students must demonstrate fluency in Italian.

Application Process

The application process for all programs takes place once a year in February and decisions are made in March for the following academic year. Application forms are available at the Study Abroad Fair and online. Selection criteria include grades, faculty recommendations, essay and interview.

Course of Study

Students who wish to study abroad for one semester may attend school in Siena during the Fall or Spring semester. There is a language course given in mid September and the first semester starts at the end of September/beginning of October and runs through the end of January. Second semester starts the beginning of March and ends May 31. Lectures take place in the mornings and afternoons from Monday to Friday. There are normally 4 hours per week of lectures for each course. Lectures are in Italian, except for courses held by foreign visiting professors. UCONN Students take four courses. Since the first semester does not start until the end of September, students who plan to study at Siena for one semester need to take a three-credit SRP with a Connecticut faculty member or, if available, a two-credit five-week course here plus paper (for a total of three credits) before going to Europe. Thus students in the Siena program earn a total of twelve credits for a semester of work at Siena and Connecticut. The ABA has also approved study abroad credit for a full year. Connecticut students must take eight courses to be eligible for the full twenty-four credits.

Students will be examined and graded as are all other students at Siena. Credit will be awarded for all courses in which a passing grade is received. Grades are not listed on the Connecticut transcript, but credit for those courses passed is noted. No mention is made nor credit given for failed courses. Credits are not averaged as part of the student's GPA. The U.S. equivalency to the Siena grading system is as follows:

A+	30/30	Excellent with honors
A	29/30 - 30/30	Excellent
B+	27/30 - 28/30	Very good
B	25/30 - 26/30	Good
B-	23/30 - 24/30	Satisfactory
C	21/30 - 22/30	Sufficient
D	18/30 - 20/30	Barely sufficient
F	<18/30	Fail

Cost

Students pay tuition directly to the UConn Law School Business Office. You will be charged for 9 study abroad credits and 3 SRP credits. In addition, you will be charged a Study Abroad Fee of $475 to help defray the administrative expense of the program.

Costs for housing and other associated living expenses are detailed in the accompanying materials in the red notebook (rent per month is approximately $200 for university housing and up to $500 for an apartment in the center of Siena). The last student who studied in Siena roomed in the student residence Residenza Fontebranda within walking distance of the school. The International Office assists with accommodations. The earlier you apply, the better your chances are of getting the housing of choice.

The University and City

The University of Siena is one of the oldest Italian universities, its foundation dating back to the XIII Century. It has approximately 20,000 students from all parts of Italy and from foreign countries. With its many international exchange programs, the University of Siena is one of the most outward looking in Italy. Every year over 700 European students attend the courses in Siena. It is one of the best Italian universities for its teacher/student and space for students ratios. The university is entirely located within the medieval city walls and most of its buildings are historical convents and palaces of great artistic beauty. The Circolo Giuridico, the largest of the university libraries of Siena, has a large collection of books and journals in the field of social and legal sciences (about 300,000 books).

Siena is located at the very center of the Italian peninsula in the region of Tuscany. It is rich in historical traditions, art treasures and beauty of the landscape. The historical city, still surrounded by its imposing walls, has one of the best preserved historical centers in Italy. With cars almost completely banned from the inner city, pedestrians may stroll and enjoy the meandering streets between medieval and renaissance buildings. At the center of this maze is the Piazza del Campo, the political and social center of the city where twice a year the Palio takes place. This famous horse race is the occasion of a fierce competition between the city boroughs. The Cathedral, the other focal center of the city is not far from there and dominates the landscape. Siena is not just a city with historical and artistic traditions. Being the seat of one of the largest Italian banks, the Monte dei Paschi de Siena, the city has developed important connections with the financial centers of the country. The city of Siena is in the middle of one of the best wine growing areas of Italy, the Chianti.

Cancellation Policy

Foreign study in Siena will not be canceled due to lack of enrollment. Should the University of Siena decide to cancel the program, Connecticut students will then register for regular classes at the School of Law. In the event that cancellation occurs after the pre-registration period for the semester in question, every effort will be made to accommodate student preferences in registering for classes. No promise can be made that all desired classes will be available.

Additional Information

Check the Reserve Section in the Law Library for a notebook contain catalogues, course listings and other useful materials about the University of Siena. Additional information can be located on the website: www.unisi.it

Blanche Capilos can answer many questions or direct you to helpful resources.

Several Connecticut professors have visited Siena: Professors Janis, Macgill and McLean would be happy to answer questions about the university and town.

If you are an individual with a disability that requires accommodation in order to participate, please consult Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown, Dean's Office, 570-5130.

Exchange Programs