Tropea, Italy (College of Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Spring Semester 2008, includes 7 weeks at MSU and 8 weeks in Tropea, Italy (March 2– April 27)
Approx. cost: $5,700
For more information: Maricela DeMirjyn, Maricela.demirjyn@mnsu.edu
Students will receive 15 credits for this cultural study experience, part here and part in Tropea, Italy. The first seven weeks of the semester is spent at Minnesota State Mankato learning communication skills and the cultural characteristics of the Tropea area. The remaining eight weeks is spent at Piccola Universita Italiana in intensive language and cultural studies. Piccola Universita Italiana is located in the beautiful coastal city of Tropea, Italy.
At Piccola Universita Italiana cultural studies will include planned excursions into the surrounding area (identified below), student sessions with fifth year high school students, as well as interactions with local residents. This is a faculty led experience under the direction of Dr. Maricela DeMirjyn, who will be traveling with the group to Tropea to help with activities and direct the program. In Tropea, Minnesota State Mankato students will have single rooms in shared apartments with kitchenettes, where they will be able to practice their Italian Culinary Skills.
Cultural excursions included in the study abroad package are to Sicily, Calabria, and Pompeii, where students will visit: Pompeii, Messina & Teatro greco di Taormina, Locri & Gerace, Cosenza & Altomonte, Crotone " Le Castella, Isola Capo Rizzuto e Santa Severina, Vibo/Pizzo: Castello Normanno Svevo,Castello Aragonese & Chiesetta di Piedigrotta, Scilla & Museo Nazionale di Reggio Calabria, Serra San Bruno - Visita alla Certosa.
Ecuador/Amazon (Sociology)
Two weeks in May/June 2008
Approx. cost: $2500
For more information: Paul Prew, Sociology, paul.prew@mnsu.edu
You will travel to Ecuador and visit the Sarayacu tribe in the Amazon. You will learn about indigenous knowledge and struggles to preserve their environment and way of life. Upon your return you will learn about the struggles of indigenous groups against resource extraction and environmental destruction, especially in Ecuador and Nigeria (June 4-22, tentative dates).
Ghana (Urban and Regional Studies)
2+ weeks in May of 2008,
Approx. cost: $4000
For more information: Raymond Asomani-Boateng (Urban Studies)
raymond.asomani-boateng@mnsu.edu
MSU’s Ghana Study Abroad Program entitled Cross-Cultural Field Studies in Ghana will take off. Students will be accompanied by two faculty members from MSU, Professors Raymond Asomani-Boateng and Miriam Porter. Dr. Raymond Asomani-Boateng who directs the program is a native of Ghana. He has lived and worked in Ghana and maintains numerous professional contacts throughout the country. His expertise is environmental planning. Dr. Miriam Porter provides expertise in Urban Management and Civic Engagement. This is a two week intensive field study in Ghana worth 4 credits (3 credits for the field trip and 1 credit for preparation). This program offers MSU students the opportunity to:(a) experience different cultural groups in Ghana and how they relate to the environment; (b) experience urban innovations and problems firsthand in three cities, Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast; (c) enrich students’ cultural experience. One attractive feature of this program is that it begins with a one-credit course before leaving for Ghana. This course is entitled “Getting to know Ghana: Departure and Reentry”. It consists of fifteen hours of meeting time, conducted on two Saturdays, during the fall semester prior to the Ghana trip. In addition to orienting students to the country of Ghana and its people, this course is used as a forum to ensure that practical matters are taken care of before departure. Class time is set aside to discuss passports, immunization, appropriate behavior and group dynamics.
Puerto Rico (Geography and Ethnic Studies)
Jan. 5-12, 2007
Approx. cost: $1000
For more information contact: Jose Lopez, Geog., jose.lopez@mnsu.edu
The case study for this course is the island of Puerto Rico. Concepts and issues concerning regional and social-environmental problems affecting the Caribbean and the significance of cultural-geographic analytic methods for regional research. Study of factors related to variations in landscapes and ethnic groups in the Caribbean. The study of the geography of the Caribbean and Puerto Rico is an interdisciplinary course that fosters the capacity to understand the island’s historical and physical geography, and the political and social problems that hamper economic development and prosperity.
Planned Itinerary
Day 1 (Saturday) - Arrival to San Juan
Day 2 (Sunday) - Visit to Native American historical sites and the Karst country
Day 3 (Monday) - Visit to the Caribbean National Forest (rainforest)
Day 4 (Tuesday) - Visit to Old San Juan (historic city)
Day 5 (Wednesday) - Visit to the South Coast (museum and historical sites)
Day 6 (Thursday) – Visit to the East Coast
Day 7 (Friday) – Modern San Juan and group discussions
Day 8 (Saturday) - Departure
United Kingdom and France (History)
For more information: Chris Corley, History, christopher.corley@mnsu.edu
Currently proposed for 12-27 May, 2008
3 Credits. Costs estimated at $3000.
This unique history course (History 430/530: Urban Spaces in European History) will allow you to learn about and experience European history and culture through an exploration of urban places, spaces, art and architecture, and regional foods. You will visit two of the most important urban centers of Europe with trips centered on London and Paris. You will read books and articles about the places you’ll visit. During the trip, you will be able to participate in guided tours and lectures, and create reflective journals about your experiences. Ample free time for your individual reflection will be provided. Upon your return, you’ll develop a research paper about the history of a specific place, building, or space that you visited. The tour will be held conjointly with Professor Corley of the MSU, Mankato History Department and Professor Alan Davis, Professor of Creative Writing at Minnesota State University, Moorhead. The professors will help you design a topic of study while providing individual mentoring throughout the trip and upon our return to the United States. No prior course work in History is required. There will be no examinations.
May 11-June 2, 2008, includes 1 week in Aeolian Islands, Italy, 1 week in the Alps and 1 week in urban Europe.
Estimated cost: $2,700
For more information: Dr. Donald Friend, Department of Geography, Armstrong Hall 7 (donald.friend@mnsu.edu).
Students will receive 6 to 9 credits for this field study experience. The courses are Geography 440/540 – Field Studies: Mediterranean Islands (3) and/or European Alps (3) and/or European Cities (3). Students must register for two and may register for all three of the courses. Approximately half the time will be spent in the field with Geography students and professors from Germany. We will fly together to Nuremberg, Germany where we will join 15 German students and will travel together to the volcanically active Aeolian Islands, Italy (just north of Sicily, includes the famous volcano, Stromboli). Travel to the islands includes overnight ferries on the Mediterranean Sea and short trips via hydrofoil. In the islands we will conduct field research documenting climatological and land use change. We will return north to Germany and explore various cities: possibilities include, Nuremberg, Berlin, Munich, Zurich and several smaller towns. The trip will end with a week in the alps of Italy, Switzerland and Germany. Most travel will be via public transit and we will camp and prepare our own meals as much as possible to keep expenses to a minimum.
Rome and Pompeii Italy (Political Science)
March 7 - 16, 2008
Cost has not yet been determined. A similar trip in 2007 cost about $2400.
For more information: Joseph Kunkel, Political Science, joseph.kunkel@mnsu.edu
Course will meet Wednesdays (3:00-5:45) the first half of the semester. In addition to the academic content, our class sessions will help prepare us for cultural differences and group travel abroad. All courses are for 3 credits.
POLS 201, 410, 510: Italian City States: Ancient Rome Dr Joseph Kunkel
We will attempt to gain a basic familiarity with the changing government and politics of ancient Rome and the impact of this Roman history on subsequent political philosophy and practice. Our primary purpose will be to learn so that our guided tours and independent explorations will be deeper than the typical tourist experience. No prior coursework in political science is required. Students will be required to read, discuss and write short papers or worksheets and tour journals. There will be no examinations.
Tentative Itinerary
Friday, March 7 – Twin Cities to Rome.
Saturday March 8 – Rome Arrival. Free Afternoon.
Sunday March 9 – Rome. Full day guided tour of Rome, including the Colosseum, forum, and Pantheon.
Monday March 10 – Rome. Morning guided tour of the Vatican, including St. Peter’s, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel; free afternoon.
Tuesday March 11 – Rome. Free Day/Optional excursions/Or we may take an extra free day in Sorrento.
Wednesday March 12 – Rome. Free day for independent exploration.
Thursday March – Rome/Naples/Sorrento. morning departure to Naples. National Archaeological Museum for guided tour. Proceed to Sorrento
Friday March 14 13 – Pompeii. Private motorcoach and guided for tour to Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius
Saturday March 15 – Sorrento/Naples.Free day for independent exploration.
Sunday March 16 – Sorrento to Twin Cities.
Bristol, England (Social Work)
Approx. $4000
Two weeks in Mid July, 2008
For more information:
Robin R. Wingo, Social Work, robin.wingo@mnsu.edu
Bill Anderson, Social Work, william.anderson@mnsu.edu
http://sbs.mnsu.edu/socialwork/international/england.html
Course of Study
A variety of teaching modalities will be utilized in this program:
- Classroom lectures
- Field visits to agencies and institutions
- Individual academic mentoring
- Library research
- Small group discussions
Additional sight-seeing visits and tours are offered to historical sites such as Mayflower Steps, Bristol Suspension Bridge, Stonehenge, Roman baths in historic city of Bath, Salisbury Cathedral, Glastonbury, and castles in Wales during downtime (some with additional cost of $25 - $35).
Special Opportunities
- Meet with key professionals and policy makers in England on topics including child and family welfare, cultural diversity, criminal justice, health care, substance misuse, and governmental process.
- At the conclusion of the programme, a tour of Parliament is probable
- Visit social service agencies with members of your small study group including mental health centers, corrections projects, hospital and health care sites, substance abuse treatment facilities, child protection offices in Bristol, Exeter, and surrounding communities.
- Engage in academic experiences with students and faculty from colleges and universities from across the United States providing the unique opportunity for state-to-state comparisons.
- 2005 Photos: http://homepage.mac.com/wanderson/BICEP2005/Menu12.html
Germany, Austria and the Netherlands (Law Enforcement and/or Political Science)
Approx. $2900
January 2-12, 2008
For more information: Tamara Wilkins, Law Enforcement, tamara.wilkins@mnsu.edu
Colleen Clarke, Law Enforcement, colleen.clarke@mnsu.edu
The MSU Mankato criminal justice course offers students credits in political science and law enforcement through international travel and study. The trip will take us to Munich, with an excursion to Neuschwanstein, on to Salzburg, and then onto Vienna by train. Following Vienna, two nights and three days will be spent in Amsterdam before departing for home. Each stop will include motorcoach and guided walking tours of the cities. There will be program arrangements by the instructors as well as free time for students.
Our students experience personal growth through interaction with citizens, educational institutes and criminal justice organizations in the cities throughout the tour. This excursion of a number of international cities presents a learning experience for students to enjoy local cultures, differing perspectives on terrorism and comparitive criminal justice institutions.
Helsinki, Finland (Social Work)
Approx. cost: Student pays tuition to MSUM and is responsible for room and board and any other personal and travel expenses. Federal Financial aid can be used for study abroad programs
Spend either Fall or Spring semester in Finland. Ongoing
For more information: Debra Gohagan, Professor, Department of Social Work; d.gohagan@mnsu.edu
Social Work majors and minors can register for 12 credits at MSUM and spend a semester taking classes at Helsinki Stadia, School of Social Welfare. This program is taught in English.
