Study Abroad Costa Rica

Summer 2006: Study Abroad Costa Rica is an interdisciplinary study of the economic and environmental development of Costa Rica. It is a service learning experience that will immerse you in the cultural, biological, meteorological, and socioeconomic world of the Cara Biological Park and the surrounding region.

I. Course Objective:

This course will combine lectures, readings, research, and a project with a field-based service learning experience. The theme of the course will be an exploration of economic development and environmental policy in Costa Rica. These topics will be considered from a broad perspective that includes history, culture, politics, geography, and natural resources in Costa Rica.

Numerous faculty perspectives will be included to prepare students for the experience, and faculty members from different departments will lead the study abroad experience.

Local experts in Costa Rica will provide briefings on various topics to the group as well.

II. Instructor of Record:

Linda Markowitz

Peck Hall 1228

650-2451

lmarkow@siue.edu

Schedule of pre-meetings for the Costa Rican Study Abroad Trip

 Friday afternoon at 2-4.

Peck Hall 0302

April 7th:  Cathy Santanello Informational meeting (introductions, pre-trip planning, etc.)

April 14th Dr.’s Jennifer Rehg (Anthropology)  and Dr. Laurie Wolff
will discuss the fauna (and some flora) of Costa Rica, with a special emphasis on the “animals to beware of” in the rainforest. Jennifer will also explain her research on the primates of Central and South America.  Dr. Wolff will speak about  currency and the economy

            April 21st:  Dr. Elaine Abusharbain and Dr. Liz Fonseca come and share a few tips on the flora and     language.

            April 28th Dr. Linda Markowitz (yours truly) will give a broad overview of Costa Rica’s history from the earliest Spanish settlement in the 16th century to the present, emphasizing the major social and economic developments in the 19th and 20th centuries. He will also show how Costa Rica is both similar to and different from other Latin American nations.

May 5th Faculty/Student expectations for study abroad courses.   Also! Ask the students! Three students from the 2004 trip, April Hosto, Kevin Becker and Schannon Dial share their impressions of the course. Laurie Wolff (Economics) will also attend to answer an pertinent questions you might have about the travel arrangements, course requirements, etc.

Textbook: Your textbook is Lonely Planet Costa Rica, 4th Edition, Rob Rachowiecki and John Thompson. In addition to assigned readings in the text, you will be given a binder with journal articles, case studies, and other selected readings to be discussed during the trip.

III. Evaluation: Your grade will be based upon your performance on three components.

          Participation                            50 percent

          Journal                                    25 percent

          Project                                     25 percent

Anyone receiving 90 percent or more of the possible points will receive an A; 80-89% a B; 70-79% a C; 60-69% a D; and less than 60% an F.

Participation: Students will attend a series of lectures from guest faculty members, read articles, engage in group discussions, prepare reports/answer questions, and in other ways meaningfully participate in pre-immersion activities. The group will meet weekly for five weeks, and attendance is expected at each of these meetings.

Journal: The journal is a reflective writing assignment to be completed while we are in Costa Rica. It will be due upon the student's return to the United States (collected at the airport). Specific questions are assigned for each day and these cover a variety of topics.  Often they are based on information we studied prior to leaving for Costa Rica.  These journal questions will also form the basis for group discussion sessions in Costa Rica.

Project: Each student will complete a project on a topic related to their study abroad experience such as global warming, endangered species management, deforestation, etc. This project could take the form of a research paper, creation of web resources, or an environmental education project. The topic is to be agreed upon between the instructor and the student and could be the basis for activities while we are in Costa Rica working with the group or area students. Projects may/will be completed upon our return to the United States and are due by August 5, 2006. Failure to turn in a completed project will result in a grade of incomplete for the course.

Special policies that apply to study abroad: This course cannot be dropped once students have stepped on the plane to go to Costa Rica. If students drop out of the experience prior to departure, they will be liable for their portion of the travel expenses even if they do not participate in the field experience.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Department of Geography – Trip Application

Activity: Costa Rica Trip                               Dates of Activity: July 13-23, 2005

Name:                                                                         Age:                                                   

E-Mail Address:                                                                               

Address:                                                                                                                               

City:                                                    State:                                      Zip:                             

Student Identification Number:                                            Telephone:                            

Check One: [ ] Student                     [ ] Faculty/Staff                       [ ] Guest of                 

Name of Health Insurance Company and Policy Number (please attach photocopy):

Name:                                                 Policy Holder/Number:                                            

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Who to call in case of an Emergency

Name:                                                 Relationship:                          Telephone:                            

Address:                                                                                                                                           

Are you allergic to any medications?                                  [ ] Yes              [ ] No

If “yes”, please list:                                                                                                                           

Do you have any unusual medical problem, condition, or past medical history that we should be aware of (i.e. allergic to bee stings, epilepsy, heart condition, etc.)

COSTA RICA 2005

Procedures and Guidelines Regarding University Sponsored Trips

Eligibility to Participate in University-sponsored Trips

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.                  <!--[endif]-->SIUE students who have paid the appropriate fees for the semester during which the trip will occur or the time following the semester (if applicable).

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.                  <!--[endif]-->Faculty and staff of SIUE.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.                  <!--[endif]-->Sponsored guests of students, family, staff, and alumni.

Health Risk

All participants are required to complete both pages of this form.

Insurance Coverage

The concern for safety is utmost in any recreational activity.  Since all trips can be potentially dangerous, each trip participant must accept the risk and assume full responsibility for their personal safety as well as the safety of the group.  All participants must have medical insurance. The University does not insure students at Southern Illinois University and therefore you must present proof of medical insurance to the trip coordinator no later than five (5) days before the departure date. Participants have no accident coverage while on University-sponsored tours/events unless they carry such insurance individually.

Behavior Policy

This is a university-sponsored field course/activity and participants are expected to follow University policy at all times regarding conduct, controlled substances, etc.  The University will not tolerate any SAD (sex, alcohol, and drugs) problems or abuses.  In addition, the Instructor shall be the final authority to the policy as well as any behavior that may, in his opinion, affect the safety of the participants, the quality of the course, or adversely affect the environment.  The Instructor has the discretion to dismiss any student from the trip for a violation of University policy or other disruptive behavior.  If a student is dismissed from the trip, he/she will be held responsible for arranging and paying for his/her immediate return to SIUE.

Liability Release Form

I hereby assume responsibility for any injury to myself or damage or loss to my property that may occur during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville sponsored activity and release any and all rights or claims for damages or loss which may hereafter occur to me or my property which I may have against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and any of its employees or agents.

I understand that there are certain risks in outdoor activities, and I hereby agree to assume such risks that include, but are not limited to, inherent hazards of weather, fatigue, stress, equipment failure, terrain, dehydration, hypothermia, pre-existing conditions or illnesses, actions of God, governments or terrorists.

By signing this release, I certify and acknowledge that I have read and understand the conditions applicable to the trip for which I am applying.  I further certify and acknowledge that I received and read a copy of applicable Procedures and Guidelines Regarding University Sponsored Trips and I agree to abide by those.

Printed Name:             __        ____________________       

Signed:                        _________________________          Date: _____________