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Dante’s Divine Comedy – Florence, Italy

Join acclaimed scholars William Franke of Vanderbilt University, Alessandro Vettori representing the Dante Society of America & Rutgers University, psychotherapist and spiritual retreat leader Mark Vernon, Federica Anichini from New York University, and Francesco Ciabattoni, Georgetown professor in Italian and director of the university’s Global Medieval Studies Program, for an immersive in-person experience at the birthplace of the renaissance – Florence, Italy. Participants will reside in an historic hotel in the city’s old town – steps from the Duomo Cathedral, Michelangelo’s David and frescoes by Fra Angelico at St. Mark’s convent. Daily lectures and tours will be augmented by group hospitality as we unpack Dante and his muse Beatrice Portinari in their hometown to discern the seeds of modern faith practices.

This tour is designed for readers of the Divine Comedy at all levels of awareness, from beginner to familiar. The main activity each day will be to gather for review of the poem’s three canticles; Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso, with attention also to its origins in the Vita Nuova. Logistics will be coordinated by Randall B. Robertson, Founding Director at Gladdening Light, a Florida spiritual arts nonprofit, where he has conducted symposia and pilgrimage retreats for constituencies across North America the past dozen years.

NJIHC Chairman Announcement

Trenton, NJ – January 27, 2025 — The New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission (NJIHC) is proud to announce the appointment of Vincent Maione as its new Chairman.

Dr. Carmela Scala, Director of the Italian Language Program has been named a Co-Intelligence Exploration Teaching Fellow for the Institute for Teaching, Innovation, and Inclusive Pedagogy (TIIP). Carmela’s fellowship will focus on digital storytelling with Chatbot. More details below.

Create a digital story using a chatbot
In this activity, students will use AI tools to create and present a digital story in the target language. Using a chatbot, they will generate a narrative (e.g., a fairytale, short story, or novella). Next, they will use an image generator to create visuals representing their story's key moments. Students will then write captions for the images and compile their text and visuals using a platform like Book Creator or PowerPoint. Finally, they will record a video presentation where they narrate their story, showcasing their language skills in pronunciation, fluency, and comprehension. This creative project promotes language proficiency and storytelling and enhances their understanding of the subject matter, fostering intercultural competence and critical thinking.

Activity Description for Other Disciplines:
In this cross-disciplinary activity, students will use AI tools to create a digital narrative based on subject-specific content (e.g., historical events, scientific discoveries, or social issues). Using a chatbot, students will generate a storyline that reflects their understanding of the topic. They will then create visuals using an image generator and write accompanying captions. The text and images will be compiled digitally using tools like PowerPoint or Book Creator. Students will conclude by presenting a video or live narration of their story, demonstrating their mastery of the subject matter, critical thinking, and presentation skills. This activity integrates research, creativity, and digital literacy across various academic disciplines.
Learn more about this program: https://teaching.rutgers.edu/teaching-and-generative-ai-pathway/

Congratulations, Carmela.

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