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2008-2009 Short-Term Study Abroad Courses
A Sampling of Recent Short-Term Study Abroad Courses
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A Sampling of Recent Short-Term Study Abroad Courses
Alaska: Natural and Cultural Histories of Southeast Alaska
This course focuses on the two major resources of southeast Alaska, forests and fish. Students learn from those who rely on either resource for employment or recreation, as well as cultural identity. Participants also study "best practices" in watershed and forest management, and participate in stream restoration projects with non-profit conservation groups.
Bahamas: Coral Reef Ecology and Conservation
Features an introduction to marine biology with emphasis on tropical coastal ecosystems. Students conduct a fish survey and rapid ecological assessment of Bahamian coral reefs in the Bimini and Berry islands. Students also have many opportunities to meet local fishers and industry representatives.
Belize: Jungle Ridge to Barrier Reef: A Cross Section of Belize History and Ecology
Here students move between mountain forests following ancient Mayan trading routes, visiting archeological sites and traveling jungle rivers to the largest coastal barrier reef in the world. A service project involves efforts to restore parts of the barrier reef.
Brazil: Portugese and Culture in Northern Brazil
Students investigate different language-learning techniques and frameworks for viewing culture. After on-campus coursework, students will boat up the Amazon into the Brazilian rainforest where they will work with artisans, river-fishing communities and indigenous herb-crafters. Students will consider the cultural elements which have enabled the groups to maintain their families, culture and home in a sustainable manner.
Chile: Language, Culture and History
After on-campus preparation, students study in Chile for two months, voyaging through the Atacama desert, natural reserves in the Andean plateau, the capital city of Santiago, the coastal towns of middle Chile, and the Patagonia region. Students will participate in home stays and service projects. This course immerses students in colloquial Chilean Spanish and aspects of Chilean culture, history, economics, geography and agricultural practices.
China: Exploring Ancient and Modern China
This course accents continuity and change in both urban and rural worlds through visiting archeological sites and seeking an understanding of problems related to growth and modernization evolving from Mao's revolution and post-Mao history. Travel includes visiting Beijing, and other historical sites in Central China. The group also receives a brief introduction to Mandarin language and gains appreciation of the role of religion/myth in Chinese culture.
Costa Rica:
Courses focus on tropical ecosystems, species interaction, bio-diversity and environmental concerns with exposure to the three main Costa Rican ecosystems: lowland rain forests, tropical dry forests and cloud forests. Travel in country brings contact with local people and their conservation efforts as well as with specialists in various restoration projects. One course also studies the psychological constraints in creating a "culture of conservation" and problems related to eco-tourism. Use of Spanish serves to expose the cultural richness of Costa Rica and is the medium for research efforts.
France: The Bohemian Art World: Post-Impressionism to Surrealism
Students explore Fernch Modernist art history and literature, as well as practice basic French for travel needs. While in France, students will visit museums, residences, and writing spaces of significant authors and artists in Paris and Nice, examining how these locations alter students' perceptions of the works studied.
Germany: Brothers Grimm to Contemporary Berlin
Students examine familiar fairy tales through new perspectives by re-reading, studying relevant social and historical background information, and writing. Participants visit castles, museums, forests, rural areas, small towns and cities during a journey that begins in Frankfurt, travels through the beautiful Hessian region, and ends in Berlin--all areas where the Grimm Brothers lived, worked, and gathered stories.
Greece: Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in Ancient Greece
This course explores the world of classical Greece with on-site lectures and tours focusing on ancient Greek culture, philosophy and mythology. This WorldWide course complements the regularly offered WWC course "Problems of Truth and Goodness in Ancient Philosophy," by providing a fuller grasp of classical Greek culture and introducing students to current Greek language, culture and major national issues. An earlier WorldWide course in the discipline of Sports Psychology examined the world of the Olympics back to its Greek origins.
Ireland: Traditional Music and Ancient Megaliths
Students examine the connections between the Irish and Appalachian traditions of music and dance, tracing their historical development from shared folk roots to the present day. In addition, students will learn about the archaeological and historical sites of ancient Ireland, focusing on the transition from a hunter-gatherer society to an agricultural society during the early Neolithic period.
Italy:
Two different courses have been offered in Italy. One focuses on literature, history and culture and travels to a Waldensian community in the northwestern Alps. Prior to travel students concentrate on the intellectual, artistic, literary and musical culture of the Renaissance and Reformation/Counter-reformation periods. Travel includes visits to nearby cities such as Turin, Genoa and Milan. Students visit museums and cathedrals and roam alpine trails to isolated mountain villages significant in Waldensian history. Another WorldWide course, The Visual Verbal Journal: Connecting to Tuscany and Umbria, is an interdisciplinary course that sharpens techniques in drawing and writing prior to travel in and around a small village in Tuscany. Their time abroad includes walks to farmhouses and villages or travel by van and train to other central Italian sites such as Bologna and Florence.
London: Theatre Appreciation in London
Usually conducted in the fall semester with travel during the winter break. The London schedule includes visits to the Globe Theatre, the Shakespeare Exhibition, and the Royal National Theatre, and includes attending performances at a variety of theaters to take in contemporary comedies, musicals and/or dramas in London's famous West End. The group normally stays in the Kensington area of London providing easy access to museums, historical sites, local markets and shops. Post performance discussions and reviews give students an appreciation of live theatre.
Malta: Shedding Light on Malta
Through background readings and the work of artists such as Caravaggio, va n Gogh, Klee, and Macke, students explore Malta and its 7,000 year old culture, learning about the many peoples that have contributed to this unique island--from the Bronze Age culture through Arabs, Normans, Ottoman Turks, the French, and the British. Participants study how the quality of light in this Mediterranean country has influenced the work and life of inhabitants and artists.
Mexico: Anthropology in Mexico
The course provides an introduction to the techniques of anthropological fieldwork through visits to Mexican institutes and museums in the Sierra Mazateca region of Oaxaca and Mexico City. Students learn about the local language, culture and history, observe shamanic practices and other aspects of local culture through home stays with Mazatec families.
Micronesia: Music and Culture
This course introduces students to the music and culture of Micronesia, a region of many small islands located in the western Pacific between Hawaii and the Philippines. Students document the fusion of American and European singing traditions with local musical traditions, and gain background knowledge of the prehistory, language, social organization and indigenous art and navigation of the Micronesian islands.
New Zealand: Sustainable Travel and Outdoor Education
This course seeks to capture the beauty and culture of New Zealand, incorporating coursework in Outdoor Leadership and Environmental Studies. The itinerary includes a stay with farm families, a backpacking expedition to Arthur's Pass National Park, travel to the South Island's West Coast, and a stay in Moria Marae.
Peru: Native Peoples of the Andes
Explores the culture and history of the region, learning about the Chavin, Tiwanaku, Huari, and Inca cultures--the cultures from which today's Aymara and Quechua people evolved. Students travel through mountains and jungles, cities and villages, participate in a community service project in a small village, and hike and camp on the Inca trail.
Scotland:
Several short-term study abroad courses have been focused on Scotland. In the most recent course, offered through the department of Outdoor Leadership, students studied the historical and philsophical roots of Outward Bound in the United Kingdom. The group was immersed in the wilderness and culture of the western Highlands, exploring the dramatic natural environments through backpacking and sea kayaking. Students also participated in a service learning project at a village primary school. Other courses have looked at elementary education in Scotland and Scottish folk culture.
Thailand: Social Changes and Inequalities
Our Thailand courses have been based in the area of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. One course seeks to have students learn how Buddhism is changing with the challenges of modern times. Our most recent course was designed to provide an overview of the history, culture, and social relations in contemporary Thai society. Special focus is given to issues related to social stratification and inequalities based on gender, age, and ethnicity.Students also spend a few days in the homes of families in a small, rural community to learn the local ways of sustainable living and farming.
United Kingdom: Ecological Agriculture in Policy and Practice
Students learn how European Union policies promote ecological agriculture. The UK is home to the oldest agricultural research center in the world, the oldest sustainable agriculture organization in the world and internationally recognized organic farming pioneers. Students meet with farmers and artisan-food producers, researchers and sustainable agriculture advocates to better understand how government policies can support a strong ecological food system.
Vietnam: The People and Cultures of Vietnam
Designed to initiate an understanding of Vietnamese people in a land moving out of the shadow of past international conflict into a new era of social and economic growth. Students study the sociological, cultural, and geographical foundations of this country through readings and discussion and have a brief introduction to the language. The group participates in a service project, working together with local Vietnamese students in building a small community school.