Geology 140 is an introductory, liberal studies field course that investigates the geologic and biologic aspects of carbonate environments. There are no prerequisites, and we invite students from all majors in order to capitalize on interdisciplinary collaborations. The class is operated as part of the College of the Bahamas Gerace Research Center on the island of San Salvador, Bahamas. 

Extensive time will be spent in the field; however, laboratory work, lectures, and a final project will also be included. With the ever-increasing need for understanding the practice of science in context, the course’s hands-on approach will emphasize comparative processes and environmental ethics in light of global societal patterns.

Estimated cost: $1,600, includes roundtrip airfare between Ft. Lauderdale and San Salvador, Bahamas and hotel accommodations in Ft. Lauderdale. On San Salvador, the fees include housing, all meals, lab fees, course materials, transportation on the island, taxes, and tips. A $500 non-refundable deposit is due January 30, with final payment due April 1, 2008.

Contact: Blair Tormey at 828-227-3916 or btormey@email.wcu.edu.

Additional fees students can expect include: tuition, roundtrip transportation between the student’s home and Ft. Lauderdale, meals while in the United States, well-fitted snorkeling gear (average cost is $100), and personal spending money for snacks and souvenirs (average is $100).

*Participants will need to be in Ft. Lauderdale by the evening of May 11. We will return to Ft. Lauderdale in the evening of May 23. Participants will be on their own to return to WCU by May 24.

Ecuador
Nursing, June 28-July 8
NURS 345: International Missionary/Volunteer Nursing (3 credits)

Students will travel from WCU to Quito, Ecuador to participate in International Missionary/Volunteer Nursing. In Ecuador, students will travel to the jungle, the seacoast, and the mountains as they assist in the setup of temporary medical clinics to serve populations that have no access to medical care.

Each day the group will travel to a new location, and will conduct five to six all-day medical clinics. Students will assist with and perform physical assessments, distribute and administer medications, and perform essential patient education about preventative health care.

The group will travel with volunteer physicians and nurses from a local church and will also spend one day at Voz Andes, the largest hospital in Quito, where the students will observe the provision of health care in a tertiary care setting in this third world country. Students will be exposed to a variety of different cultural groups, languages, and geographic areas. They will be able to experience, on a short term basis, what it is like to serve as a volunteer health care provider and/or missionary in a third world country. This great experience will make lasting positive changes and enhance the students’ ability to provide culturally competent care.

Estimated cost: $1,000. A deposit of $500 is due Jan. 15. 

Contact: Ann Marie Jones at 828-227-3524 or ajones@email.wcu.edu.

France and Italy
Art, May 12-25
ART 493: Foundations of Western Art (3 credits)

Students will visit Treasure Houses of European Art while researching a predetermined topic. This trip will include visits to the following major international museums and archeological sites: Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris, Sainte-Chapelle, the Florence Cathedral, the Uffizi Museum, and the Vatican Museum, including the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, the ancient ruins of Rome and Pompeii.

Estimated cost: $2,970. A deposit of (TBD) is due Jan. 15.

Contact: Norma Smith at 828-227-7210 or nsmith@email.wcu.edu.

Honduras
Nursing, June 14-22
NURS 345: International Missionary/Volunteer Nursing (3 credits)

Students will arrive in Choluteca, Honduras and travel three hours to the Mt. Carmel Mission Clinic. During the time at the clinic students will visit children at a day care and perform developmental assessments. In the clinic, students will assist with and perform physical assessments, distribute and administer medications, and perform essential patient education about preventative health care. Health education also will be taught at a local hospital as well as the day care. 

Students will be exposed to a variety of different cultural groups and languages. 

Estimated cost is $1,309 (subject to change). This cost includes insurance, airfare, accommodations, meals, and ground transportation. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required. 

Contact: Cheryl Clark at 828-227-3529 or cclark@email.wcu.edu.

Japan
Art, Modern Foreign Languages, May 12-26
ART 493/ASL 393: Japan Cultural Trip Past and Present (3 credits)

Come and interact with traditional and modern art and craft in Japan. Students will have the chance to see some of the best craftspeople of the nation at work. We also will be able to see some of the famous 88 temples on the pilgrimage that has made the exotic Shikoku island famous. By contrast, we’ll take the bullet train to Kyoto and Tokyo to see classical art and that of the contemporary subculture.

Estimated cost: $2,650. A deposit of $500 is due Jan. 15.

Contact: Erin Tapley (art) at (828-227-3598 or etapley@email.wcu.edu; or Masafumi Takeda (Japanese) at 828-227-3905 or mtakeda@email.wcu.edu.

Russia and Sweden
Interior Design, June 9-19
IDES 465: Travel Studies in Design (6 credits)

This course immerses the student in the design and culture of Russia and Sweden. The program focuses on historical perspective and its impact on regional architecture, planning, art and design. In order to gain an understanding of the rise of the design and furniture industries in Northern Europe and Eurasia, students will tour interior design studios and design centers, showrooms and factories, museums and palaces, and will participate in walking tours of the cities.

Estimated cost: $3,350. A deposit of $1,000 is due Jan.15.

Contact: Jane Nichols at 828-227-2178 or jnichols@email.wcu.edu.

Yellowstone National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Biology and Political Science, May 12-27
BIOL 493/593 and PSC 493/593: Politics in the Parks: This Land is Your Land?, (3 hours credit)

This two-week field course will explore the biological and political issues surrounding the national parks. Students will travel to the Great Smoky Mountains and Yellowstone National Parks and explore the unique issues in each park. A comparative approach will help gain an appreciation for the diversity and complexity of the national parks, both as a natural habitat, and as a governmental program. The emphasis will be on engaged, hands-on learning: students will spend time in the parks, visit with park stakeholders and experience wildlife, rather than reading about it from a classroom in Cullowhee. Permission of the instructors is required. A mandatory organizational meeting will be held in January.

Estimated cost: $987, includes lodging, food, and teaching materials (excluding one modestly priced text). Half of the fee is due in March and is non-refundable.  Does not include tuition or airfare. Interested students should sign up for either the biology or political science section, not both.

Contact: Christopher Cooper (political science) at 828-227-3861 or ccooper@email.wcu.edu; or Sean O’Connell (biology) at 828-227-2203 or soconnell@email.wcu.edu.

Grand Tetons, Idaho and Wyoming
Parks and Recreation Management, May 26-June 6,
PRM 486: Field Experience (3 credits)

The Western Carolina 2008 Wilderness Education Association (WEA) Outdoor Leadership course will be a Steward Course, twelve days long. It will be taught on the Western slopes of the Tetons and will include the WEA curriculum and basic spring mountaineering techniques. The course includes three undergraduate credits. Graduate credit can be arranged. A further three credits are available through independent study. Course meets in Idaho Falls, or Tetonia, Idaho.

Estimated cost: $835. A deposit of $500 is due Jan 31. Contact: Maurice Phipps at 828-227-3844 or phipps@email.wcu.edu; or Todd Murdock at 828-227-7137 or tmurdock@email.wcu.edu.

Area Lakes and Rivers
Parks and Recreation Management, May 11-16
PRM 352: Beginner/Intermediate Kayak Course (3 credits)

This course is designed to introduce students to kayaking and to teach skills that will enable paddling on local rivers. We start in the pool, graduate to the lake, then on to the Tuckasegee and Nantahala Rivers. Kayaks and gear such as sprayskirts, personal floatation devices, paddles and wetsuits are provided as well as transport on the course. Course meets at WCU.

Estimated cost: $225. Contact: Maurice Phipps at 828-227-3844 or phipps@email.wcu.edu.

Germany
Communication, June 7-June 19
ASI 393 Special Topics: German Cultural Immersion (3 credits)

Expand your mind through the experience and excitement of summer travel to Germany. Cologne’s Cathedral, Cinedom and Chocolate Museum, Hamburg’s Harbor, and Berlin’s Wall and Castles are calling to WCU students with the desire to explore and learn. Intercultural growth helps students in their personal and professional futures.  Take a chance … think outside the border. 

Estimated cost: $2,700 includes airfare, accommodations and ground transportation. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required by Jan. 15. 

Contact: Donnie Stepp at 828-227-2467 or dstepp@email.wcu.edu.

China
Hospitality & Tourism Management; Marketing, June 3-30
HT 493: International Service Management (3 credits)
BA 293: Business Survival Skills in China (3 credits)

If you have a lively curiosity about other people and culture, you won’t find a better place to learn than China. China already has the world’s second largest economy, and if current growth rates continue, China’s economy will be larger than the United States by 2020. Furthermore, more than one in five people living in the world today is Chinese.

Classes will take place in Shanghai, China. Students will have a great opportunity to learn Chinese culture, language, and business etiquette. This summer program is developed in cooperation with Fudan University (Shanghai), which is considered one of the top 10 universities in China. Also, this program includes a variety of field trips including a trip to Beijing, host city of the 2008 Summer Olympic. In addition, several Chinese guest speakers will be invited to the class in an effort to facilitate students’ interaction with local Chinese people and maximize learning. In sum, students will experience a real and dynamic Chinese lifestyle through this summer course and eventually better understand the Chinese culture, people, food, and economy.

Estimated Cost: $3,800. A deposit of $500 is required.

Contact: Kyuho Lee at 828-227-2179 or klee@email.wcu.edu