Academic Profile
The study center of Salzburg College is located in the heart of the Old City. It occupies a 16th century town house, situated on Ursulinenplatz, a small square, flanked by a historic city gate and one of Salzburg's famous Baroque churches. From the top floor library, there is a spectacular view of the city, across the street are the pleasant embankments of the Salzach river. The five-story building includes classrooms, offices, library, lounge, and dining room, music practice space, photo labs and an art studio that can also serve as a gallery. Students have classes, study, and take their lunches at Ursulinenplatz.
The close vicinity of public, educational and cultural institutions, allows for easy integration of classroom study and on-site experience which is a major objective of the Salzburg College program. The University Library and other research facilities (e.g. Mozart Archives) are all located in walking distance. Ursulinenplatz is also just down the street from the main intersecting point of the Salzburg public bus system which will greatly facilitate the commuting to and from the Austrian host family homes.
Course Offerings
The program begins with a one-week academic field trip through Germany that provides a hands-on introduction to European culture as well as an opportunity to meet the other students. The trip includes visits to Trier, the oldest city in Germany, and Cologne and Bonn. A romantic drive along the Rhine introduces history, legend and literature - with stops in the imperial cities of Worms and Speyer which were also centers of Jewish culture and of the Protestant Reformation. A visit to Heidelberg to the famous castle, old town and university, then to medieval Rothenburg and finally on to Nuremberg complete this introduction to European "historical consciousness."
The Salzburg College program is based on the belief that a broad insight into European civilization and contemporary issues, along with language competency, will provide a meaningful basis for different areas of specialization. Several areas of concentration are offered, including European Studies (German language and literature, History, Economics and Politics, Education, Art History and Music History), Communications (Intercultural Communication, Photography), International Marketing), Studio Art and Photography (including Drawing and Painting, Printmaking, Museum Internships, Personal Exhibition Opportunities, and Artist Apprenticeships), Music Performance (Individual Instruction, Music Theory, the "Mozart Project," and Personal Recital Opportunities). Classroom work and field experience are integrated. Excursions, guest lectures, and interaction with local professionals are an important part of the program. Salzburg College faculty are Austrians, many of whom have also taught at American universities. Courses are taught in English. Students earn up to 15 undergraduate credits on the program and must be at least sophomore standing. The program is open to students with at least a 2.7 GPA.
