General Information

General Information for the Ostia Antica Program

Equipment 

Participants are expected to bring an archaeological trowel, cut-proof gloves, a pair of pants, and steel-toed safety boots. All other equipment and tools are provided by AIRC.

Credit
As AIRC is not a degree-granting institution, it cannot offer credit for participation in the program, but credit generally can be obtained directly from the participant’s home institution through discussion with department faculty and administrative staff (e.g., Registrar’s office). These discussions are best started in the spring, as soon as the participant is formally accepted and before the program begins. AIRC provides supporting documentation (a letter of participation and a grade report) upon successful conclusion of the program. AIRC’s grade assessment uses the following criteria:

• attendance, during lectures and on-site;
• participation, in discussions during lectures and on-site;
• an exam based on the first week’s exploration of Rome;
• personal excavation journal (detailed instructions are supplied).

Although AIRC does not award university credit for the summer excavation, those interested can earn 4 units of university credit by enrolling in a course at the University of Southern California (AHIS 325) specially created by Dr. John Pollini, Professor of Classical Art and Archaeology at USC and tied specifically to the AIRC summer program. For further information, see Prof. Pollini's flyer and detailed description of the course.

Applications

Due date: March 30, 2012.  After April 15th a late fee ($100) will be assessed. The last date for accepting late applications is May 01, 2012. Interested persons are encouraged to apply early, since space is limited and participants are accepted on a rolling basis as applications are completed and reviewed.

The program application consists of:

• a one-page (600-800 words) essay describing your interest in Rome, your interest in the AIRC Summer Archaeological Field School, and how participation is expected to contribute to your education/development, in a standard text format (.rtf, .doc/.docx, .pdf);
• one letter of recommendation from a professor, supervisor, or employer who has worked with you, in a standard text format (.rtf, .doc/.docx, .pdf);
• a copy of your curriculum vitae/resume including relevant coursework taken (in Classics, art history, history, archaeology, and anthropology), interests, and skills, in a standard text format (.rtf, .doc/.docx, .pdf);
• brief phone or Skype interview with AIRC project staff (February-March).

All inquiries and application documents should be submitted to: studyabroad[at]romanculture.org AND albert[at]romanculture.org