A course on the meaning and history of beauty, its connection to community, and their importance as practices of care for society, culture, and the environment.
An experience of beauty and community: two weeks in Torino, known for its baroque architecture, art-nouveau cafes, and quality food and wine; three weeks in Trentino, a region famous for the Dolomite mountains and for its cooperative economy; and almost four weeks in Siena, a perfectly preserved medieval city that every summer hosts its centuries-old horse race, the Palio. From June 18 to August 18 (arriving late or leaving early is not permitted).
For a more in-depth explanation of the spirit and content of the program and the course, see “Why this program”. For a detailed schedule of classes and activities, please read the Syllabus and activities page.
Approximately thirty students will attend the program. Applications from students from other colleges are welcome; in recent years, students from Brown, Emerson, Middlebury, Penn, Princeton, USC, Vassar, and Yale have participated in the program.
Classes will be held every day of the week, except for some Thursdays, when field trips are scheduled. Academic engagement should lead to a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts covered in the course, as well as their application to the many events that constitute the program. In fact, all activities—including group meals—are an integral part of the course. Learning takes place almost as much outside the classroom as it does inside, and the goal of these shared experiences is to build strong bonds among the participants and to develop their ability to think, both individually and collectively—all essential elements of a true education. The program also offers a break from artificial intelligence and its supposed objectivity; during those two months, we will instead reflect on the shared subjectivity of beauty and communities, and experience the sense of belonging they bring.
The Harvard Summer School will post information about Summer 2027 programs in mid-October. Applications are expected to open in early December. In the meantime, please feel free to email Prof. Erspamer with any questions. Administrative questions can be directed to SummerAbroad@Summer.Harvard.edu.
Meet Prof. Erspamer and learn more about this program at the Study Abroad Fair, hosted by SOCH at 59 Shepard Street, on Tuesday, December 8, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
As soon as the admissions process is complete, numerous pages will be added to this website with practical information on preparing for departure, arrival in Torino, potential emergencies, and useful tips.
Videos by Woojin Lin (Milan and Siena 2023), Joy Xinchun Zhang (Milano, Trento, Siena 2024), and Collin Nelson (Torino, Trento, Siena 2025).
