2004 May Term Study Experiences

Below are the trips that were offered in 2004. Most of the trips counted for credit in multiple majors.

Southwestern Pueblo Societies

Introduces students to Pueblo peoples of the American southwest. Includes a survey of social, political, and economic aspects of select Native American cultures with a close focus on the Hopi, Zuni, and Acoma peoples. Special emphasis on pre-history and indigenous art as political expression in shaping today's societies. A field trip willgivestudents the oppertunity to see first hand some of what they have studied. Tours of Hovenweep; Mesa Ver de; Chimney Rock; Chaco Canyon; the Zuni, Acoma, and Hopi reservations; El Morro; Pterified Forest National Park; Canyon de Chelly; Wupatki; and other locations in the four corners area of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah are included.

Creating Europe

"Creating Europe" will cover six major European countries and seven major cities in 15 days. Faculty will conduct three four-hour classes the first week of May and one four-hour concluding class after the trip. Students will be encourage to take photos, keep a detailed journal, and compose creative essays--personal, travel-oriented, descriptive, and historical.

Geology/Natural History of Utah Parks

Class will hike and study four of Utah's parks and wilderness places - Antelope Island, the Wasatch Mountains, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Park. Moderately strenuous hiking and some less than comfortable field conditions may be encountered.

Smith vs. Castro: Capitalism vs. Communism

This course compares capitalism with communism. The purpose is to take an impassioned look at both capitalism and communism (as practiced in Cuba), examining the historical evolution of these two economic systems, focusing on the history of Cuba and US relations with Cuba since the Cuabn Revolution. The course willemphasize how the market is used in the different systems, the differences in culture that these different uses engender, and differences in the role of government. The virtues of capitalism are its emphasis on efficiency and economic freedom. The virtues of communism are its greater equality, and providing people with the basic necessities of life: health care, food, education, and so on. The course includes a trip to New York City, and to Cuba.

Guatemala: Learning and Social Change

This trip introduces participants to the history of Guatemala, as well as to contemporary social, political, and economic issues. We willexplore these as they are mirrored in the country's educational system and people's movements for justice. The coursewill help students understand Guatemalen life so students are better able to work with immigrants in Utah. Education majors will also be better prepared to teach about Guatemala. During the trip the group will meet with families, representatives of grassroots and business groups, tour schools and adult eduaction programs, tour museums and archeological sites, and discuss our experiances. A three-night family stay in the highlands is planned.

Hawaii: Focus on the Arts

This tightly structured study-trip will utilize the varied enviromental features of the big island of Hawaii as classroom for training artists in personal discipline, creativity, and spontaneity. Yoga, martial artts, physical exercise, lectures, journaling, drawing, writing, essemble work, and sensory awareness exercises will all be employed to enhance focus and concentration and to free personal artisic expression. Field trips to the Mauna Kea Observatory, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaiian cultural, botanical, and historical sites, as well as the oppertunity to swim in the wild with sea turtles and dolphins will punctuate this unique learning experiance.

From East to West: Business in Europe

This class will focus on the social, technical, political and economic issues facing local and multinational corporations located on the traditional border between Eastern Europe and Western Europe, especially as countries attempt to join the EU. Through social and cultural interations, business visits and firsthand experiance, students will develop an appreciation for the challenges involved in conducting business in both East and West Europe. Three class session prior to departure will examine the STEP analysis of multinational corporation business location decisions, the cultural enviroment of the actual locations to be visited, and the mechanics of the trip. Students in this class will visit Athens, Istanbul, Budapest, and Prague.