2007 May Term Study Experiences

BIOL*300KK/CHEM*300I/ENVI*300A/HON*300XX
Science on the Sea of Cortez

Travel to Loreto, Mexico
Estimated Trip Cost: $2,900
Travel Dates: May 12 - 20
Instructors: David Goldsmith, Robyn Hyde, Judy Rogers

No branch of science exists in a disciplinary vacuum. This course will explore the roles that tectonic setting and local seawater chemistry play in affecting biological diversity. In classroom sessions students will learn about the carbonate chemistry of coral reefs, the geophysics of the East Pacific Rise, and the functional morphology of marine organisms. We will then travel to Loreto, Mexico, where students will get the opportunity to observe the practical applications of these lectures. Students will also get the opportunity to develop their understandings of marine biology and coastal processes more deeply through the design and execution of beachside experiments.

COMM*300BB/NURS*300U
Guatemala: A Humanitarian Expedition

Travel to Guatemala
Estimated Trip Cost: $2,200 (tax deductible) + $500 additional
Travel Dates: May 11 - 20
Instructors: Helen Hodgson, Gail Tuohig

This class will provide communication and nursing students with an understanding of indigenous populations in Guatemala and will educate them about poverty in Guatemala. Through social and cultural interactions, communication and nursing humanitarian projects, and first-hand experience, students will develop an understanding of issues related to poverty, local health care issues, sustainability, and the differences between urban and rural poor. Two class sessions prior to departure will examine these issues, with a focus on sustainable health care, health education, dissemination of health education, and publications related to the struggles of indigenous peoples and the work of The Hope Alliance. Classroom activities prior to departure will ground students in theories of education and health issues, as well as cultural and economic considerations unique to Guatemala; the writing assignments will also be introduced. A significant component of this trip will be time spent working in areas identified as critical by The Hope Alliance, with the following goals: (1)To provide eye glass clinics and direct medical care to the aldeas of El Estor; (2) on the basis of a previous needs assessment, potentially to conduct detailed medical evaluations of as many families as possible in these aldeas; (3)to prepare training materials for use in training the trainers; (4)to provide education and ongoing training of local healthcare workers; and (5)to prepare papers focused on raising the awareness of indigenous struggles for possible publication in magazines and for use in grant applications. Crosslisted to NURS 300U–01. This course includes a trip to Guatemala from May 11 to 20. Estimated trip cost is $2,200 humanitarian (tax-deductible) and an additional $500. All students must have health insurance coverage for travel. Insufficient enrollment and/or international situations may cause cancellation of this study tour.

ECON*412X
The Economies of Ancient World:  Rome and Greece

Travel to Italy and Greece
Estimated Trip Cost: $3,800
Travel Dates: May 6 - 19
Instructors: Dick Chapman, John Watkins

This course examines the economies of the ancient world, focusing on Italy and Greece.  Our purpose is to examine ancient economies from the following points of view:  (1) In terms of the mode of production, which examines three aspects of a society:  the superstructure (values, ideology and culture, the social (class) relations, and the forces of production (technology).  (2) In terms of Karl Polanyi's classification of economic institutions:  householding, reciprocity, redistribution , and the market.  Our  purpose is to explore the relationship between culture and economics.  Specifically, our purpose is to view culture from a materialist perspective.  What does culture inform us about the underlying economic relations?  What was the material basis (the technology, machines, tools and so on) that enabled the production of these cultural artifacts?  What do the cultural artifacts inform us about the underlying ideology?  Finally, we want to compare ancient civilization with modern civilization.

EDUC*300Y/SPAN*300R
The Maya: Classic and Contemporary

Travel to Guatemala
Estimated Trip Cost: $2,000
Travel Dates: May 19 - 28
Instructors: Peggy Cain, Carolyn Jenkins

This trip introduces participants to the history of the Mayan peoples and to contemporary social, political, and economic issues they face. We will visit archeological sites and museums. We will meet with various Mayan groups in cities and villages of the western Highlands to explore their contemporary life and efforts to retain their languages and cultures and to improve their economic situation. We will address educational issues in this context. The course will help students understand Mayan cultures so students are better able to work with immigrants in Utah. Education majors will also be better prepared to teach about the Maya. The trip will be run by the Center for Global Education at Augsburg College, Minneapolis. The Center for Global Education staff person in Guatemala, Fidel Xinico Tum, is a Cakchiquel Maya. Peggy Cain, one of the faculty members leading the trip, has been studying the Maya since 1979, has a Masters Degree in Latin American Studies, and opened up and ran the Center's program in Guatemala from 1987 to 1990.

ENGL*300VV/PLSC*300L/SPAN*300S
Argentina: Political History and Literature

Travel to Argentina
Estimated Trip Cost: $2,450 (tax deductible) + $500 additional
Estimated Travel Dates: May 10 - 24
Instructors: Fatima Mujcinovic, Chuck Tripp

This course will allow students to become familiar with Argentina's most acclaimed writers and intellectuals—Borges, Cortazar, Valenzuela, Ocampo, and others—while studying the turbulent political history of modern Argentina. We will spend two weeks on the trip, visiting the cities of Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Mendoza and the largest falls in the world, the Yguazu falls. Total estimated cost per student is $2,450. This class counts toward the diversity requirement and is crosslisted with Political Science.

FINC*412Q
Week on Wall Street:  New York City

Travel to New York City
Estimated Trip Cost: $2,100
Travel Dates: May 13 - 20
Instructors: Ryan Hessenthaler, Robert Patterson

This course provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about financial markets, investing, and the business world through first hand observation. Students will gain an invaluable perspective on these issues as they immerse themselves in the fast-paced, financial capital of the world: New York City.

MKTG*412I/ECON*412Y
China and Vietnam:  From Communism to Capitalism

Travel to China and Vietnam
Estimated Trip Cost: $3,220
Travel Dates: May 7 - 21
Instructors: Chris Tong, Brian Jorgensen

This course will focus on the social, technical, political and economic issues facing multinational corporations doing business in China and Vietnam. Students will visit Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Xi'an, Shanghai, and Beijing in China. Through social and cultural interactions, business/government visits and first-hand experiences, students will develop an appreciation for the challenges involved in conducting business in Asia. Students also will study the antecedents and consequences of the dynamic growth of these specific Asian economies, including the transition from more controlled to more capitalistic economic systems. Three class sessions prior to departure will examine the economic and business climate and prospects in the two countries, characteristics of the specific locations to be visited, and the mechanics of the trip. A fourth class session will be held after returning from the trip to summarize the trip experiences and for students to present their group projects.

NURS*300F/EDUC*300E
Hopi and Navajo Cultures: Education and Health Issues

Travel to northern Arizona and southern Utah
Estimated Trip Cost: $577 + $200 additional for meals
Travel Dates: May 12 - 20
Instructors: Marsha Morton, Janet Dynak

This course introduces students to Hopi and Navajo peoples. It includes social, educational, environmental, political, economic, artistic, health and caring aspects of their cultures. Special emphasis will be placed on the practical aspects of health care and observation in the schools. An organizational meeting is scheduled for March 16 at 12:00 noon in Malouf Hall. Classes will meet on campus 3-6 pm on May 7th and May 9th and then there will be a nine-day field trip designed for students to explore health issues, educational practices, and ecosystems on Hopi and Navajo reservations in northern Arizona and southern Utah (May 12-20). Students will visit Indian Health Services and private health care facilities, schools on reservations, Hopi and possibly Navajo families, museums, and possibly National Park sites. Students will participate in guided field and river trips. Students will also spend one day visiting related sites in Salt Lake City after the nine-day field experience (May 23rd). Students with disabilities needing accommodations should contact instructors by January 17, 2007. Students from all majors are welcome with the permission of the instructors.  Insufficient enrollment or national or international situations may cause cancellation of this study tour. The cost of the trip is $577.00. Students will also need to bring $200.00 for meals.

SPAN*300B/HIST*300VV
Spain: Santiago and Compastela

Travel to Spain
Estimated Trip Cost: $3,000
Travel Dates: May 3 - 29
Instructors: Deyanira Ariza-Velasco, Jeff Nichols

The focus of this course is a journey of the mind, body, and soul. (The journey is by foot, with train and bus segments.) Students will follows the historic Camino Francès (French Way) from Pamplona in Navarra to the cathedral and shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in Galacia, Spain. “The Pilgrimage of the Way of Saint James of Compostela” has been—and still is—traveled by thousands of Christian pilgrims. People of all faiths or none make the pilgrimage. The route reveals tremendous cultural riches. The two integrated courses, Spanish and History, offer a broad perspective on the political, social, economic, linguistic, and cultural context of the road to Santiago and on the idea of pilgrimage itself. Students will explore many important historical cities and sites along or near the road. In addition, they will investigate the Spanish language, literature, and history of northern Spain through lectures, discussions of assigned readings, and students’ presentations.

THTR*300W
Traditional Indian Culture

Travel to India
Estimated Trip Cost: $2,300
Travel Dates: May 7 - 29
Instructors: Michael Vought, Nina Vought

We will be traveling to Bhaskara College on the southwest shore of India to immerse ourselves in Indian art and culture. Bhaskara College attempts to stay the cultural effects of globalization by hiring gurus in the most ancient forms of Indian dance, yoga, music, and language. We will spend three weeks visiting some of India’s greatest treasures while studying with true national treasures. Learn some sanskrit and Indian philosophy or focus on yoga, music, or one of the four traditional dance forms all the while living the life of an Indian student.