Honors Study Away Courses
HON 200: Environmental and Cultural Sustainability in Alaska
Description: This unique interdisciplinary course focuses on the distinctive and dramatic landscape of Southeast Alaska to illustrate the interconnectedness between the major forces that have shaped our planet and how its inhabitants live their lives. The emphasis of this course is to foster students’ awareness of complex relationships that exist throughout the natural world and how they interact to have economic, social, cultural, and philosophical implications.
Destination: Haines, Alaska
Tentative Dates: Summer 2021 (May 29 – June 15 with travel June 3 - 13)
Tentative Costs: $4000
For more information, contact Dr. Hultgren (lhutlgren@vwu.edu)or Dr. Malcolm (emalcolm@vwu.edu)
HON 200: Israel, Palestine, and the Art of Waging Peace
Description:This course focuses on conflict mediation within a part of the world that is known for its deep challenges and divides. It involves Christian/Muslim and Jewish/Palestinian conversations. The course includes a homestay in Bethlehem and visits to key sites in Israel (especially Jerusalem), including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, each of which is a focus of controversy. It also includes the opportunity to climb Masada and swim in the Dead Sea. This course creates an ideal environment for thoughtful discussions on society, religion, politics, and culture.
Destination: Israel/Palestine
Course Dates: January Term 2020 (January 6-25, 2020)
Tentative Travel Dates: January 7-17, 2020
For more information, contact Prof. Craig Wansink (cwansink@vwu.edu)
HON 200: Environmental and Cultural Sustainability in Alaska
(Haines, Alaska)
Description: This course focuses on the distinctive and dramatic landscape of Southeast Alaska to illustrate the interconnectedness between the major forces that have shaped our planet and how its inhabitants live their lives. It emphasizes the complex relationships that exist throughout the natural world and how they interact to have economic, social, cultural, and philosophical implications.
Recommended blog links:
HON 200: From the Amazon to the Andes
(Peru)
Description: This course investigates and experiences two adjacent and long-interrelated areas of Peru. We’ll go off the grid for five days into the Amazon jungle, which is perhaps the most biodiverse area on the planet, then go high into the Andes to the heartland of the Incan empire, including a visit to one of the world’s great sights, Machu Picchu. In both places we’ll spend considerable time with indigenous peoples, learning through them a different way to understand not only their but our own world. Prerequisite: Batten Honors College.
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HON 200: Germany in a Changing World
(Berlin, Germany)
Description: An introduction to German politics over the last 60 years. It relates the historical developments in 20th-century Germany to global and international developments. A special focus is the political historical development of Berlin, which provides the background for different excursions in the city. The course seeks to bring history to life by taking you to historical places that relate German politics to international developments. Movie screenings and guest lectures also facilitate the understanding. As a service project, students engage with Syrian refugees that arrived in Berlin in great numbers over the past two years.
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HON 200: Societies and Resources from Local Practices to Global Impact
(Mexico)
Description: Combining perspectives based on the sciences and the humanities, this course examines the ways that societies adapt to and transform the natural environment. Beginning in the magnificent ancient cities of Chichen Itza and Ek-Balam, we enter the Mayan world of science and religion. Our course includes a visit to Universidad de Oriente in Valladolid, Yucatán where a specialist in Mayan cosmogony guides us through the study of medicinal plants and the notion of holistic healing. Students have an opportunity to research regional resources in interaction with local people and specialists in order to explore the co-evolutionary process by which man transforms and is transformed by the natural environment.
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HON 200: Land of Fire & Ice
(Iceland)
Description: An investigation of concepts, issues, and ideas relevant to the culture and travel destination(s) that includes engagement in a service or research project that addresses the particular need(s) of that community and involves interaction with representative community members, constituencies and agencies.
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HON 200: Society & Culture of Barcelona
(Spain)
Description: An investigation of concepts, issues, and ideas relevant to the culture and travel destination(s) that includes engagement in a service or research project that addresses the particular need(s) of that community and involves interaction with representative community members, constituencies and agencies. May be repeated for credit as topic and/or destination changes.
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