The Layers of Rome is both a study abroad program and an online educational resource for high school and college teachers who study Rome and its central role as a creator and disseminator of world culture. Since its inception as a study abroad course almost two decades ago, the Layers of Rome has grown into a multi-faceted curriculum resource platform. In 2015 curriculum development advanced through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for a summer institute for teachers, entitled The Monuments of Rome in English Culture. The grant allowed 25 scholars/teachers to take advantage of being immersed in the Roman environment to develop a series of lesson plans considering Roman life, culture and history. From that institute, the Layers of Rome was re-branded to be both a study abroad program and an open-source online educational tool for educators, students, and Roman enthusiasts. The website includes lesson plans, interactive exhibits, and map tours for both on-site and in-the-classroom use.

Study Abroad  is the premiere activity of the Humanities Program at the University of Texas at El Paso. As a teaching method the UTEP Humanities Study Abroad Program operates on the principle that immersing students in the physical environment of the subject, in this case Roman history, art and culture, allows them to understand the importance of context and place in the evolution of world cultures. When visiting Rome and other selected Italian cities, students use all of their talents and senses, applying hands-on skills while navigating and solving real-world scenarios in the development of powerful interactive resources. During two weeks on campus and two weeks in Italy, UTEP students can earn up to 6-credit hours in the subjects of Humanities, History and Communication. Students work alongside faculty to develop their research and to publish it on the Layers of Rome website.