Dates for the 2012 Summer Semester in Costa Rica are Sunday, May 27 - Monday, July 9.
Students will experience the natural splendor and be exposed to the exciting culture of Costa Rica in Central America.
The Summer Semester in Costa Rica will provide a superb opportunity for students to be immersed in a Latin American environment and promises to be a memorable and unique learning experience.
Course Description
The goal of this program is to provide students an academically vigorous study opportunity in a Latin American country. The three courses that will make up this program are:
BIOL 106 Neotropical Biology (NS-L)
An introduction to the diversity, structure, function, and history of tropical ecosystems. Students who take this course cannot also receive credit for BIOL 102 Natural History.
ANTH 235 Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (CW, SB)
An overview of culture and social life in Latin America with some historical context. Topics to be examined include the legacy of European colonialism, indigenous cultures, and the influence of the contemporary global economy and transnational migration. Both ethnographic representations and hands-on research will be used to learn about this diverse and fascinating region.
POLI 365-A Topics in Public Policy (SB, CW)
In both the developed and developing world, the establishment of conservation and protected areas—often defined as public parks, forests, reserves and preserves—has been justified as a win-win: protected status leads to sustainable use of resources and economic development opportunities for indigenous and local peoples. But in many cases, the promise has yet to be realized. This course takes a comparative approach to examining the difficulties in creating win-win public lands, focusing on the US and Costa Rica. Students will directly engage challenges and problems to balancing national and local interests; biodiversity and economic development; indigenous rights vs. national elites; and the demands of the international community and self-determination.
Students will choose 2 of the 3 courses.
Accommodations
Students and faculty will live and study at Ecolodge San Luis, a field station located in north-central Costa Rica. The station is located near the Quaker community of Monteverde and the famed rainforest preserves of the area. The Ecolodge is part of the San Luis valley community and is closely involved with the local people in regulating farming, ecotourism, and development activities. It provides an excellent opportunity for students to become immersed in a Spanish-speaking culture. Day trips are possible to other areas of the country including the capital, San Jose, nearby volcanoes, and the historical site of Santa Rosa. The people occupying the valley are mostly engaged in farming, growing coffee and sugar, and raising milk cattle for the local dairy. Some residents supplement their income with ecotourism activities. The field station and local residents work together to promote development activities that do not adversely affect life in San Luis. The community living here provides students with frequent and significant interaction in a Spanish-speaking culture. Surrounding much of San Luis valley are many natural reserves including the Monteverde Cloud Forest and the Children’s Rain Forest which allow for detailed study of tropical environments.
The Program
The semester is open to students at any level and from any discipline and is coded for Odyssey Global Awareness (GA) and Service to the World (SW) credit.
The Faculty
The Cost
Tuition and fees for the 2012 Summer Semester in Costa Rica will be $5500 plus the cost of airfare.
- Deposit of $800 will be due on January 30, 2012 and should be paid at the business office.
- Balance of course fees is due March 9, 2012.
- Air fare is $685.41.
Program charges include all transportation, all meals and lodging in Costa Rica, health & travel insurance, and field trips to national parks and places of cultural interest. Personal spending money is the responsibility of the student. Homestays are available with local families, at an additional cost of $13.00 per night.
Applications
Course Schedule
| May 27, 2012 |
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Flight to San Jose transfer to San Luis |
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| May 28 - July 5, 2012 |
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Classes |
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| July 6, 2012 |
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Final exams |
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| July 9, 2012 |
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Flight home |
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All Hendrix policies regarding student conduct apply during the Summer Semester in Costa Rica.
Contact
Dr. Matthew D. Moran
moran@hendrix.edu
DW Reynolds Center for Life Science
Room 215
501-450-3814
Fax 501-450-4547