2008 May Seminars
South Africa After Apartheid: Survival, Resistance and Transformation
Religion 300. Prerequisite: Religion 100 (current or former sections taught by Pranger or Solvang) or Religion 339
Dr. Elna Solvang and Dr. Jan Pranger, Religion
Estimated seminar cost: $4,700 plus tuition $2,450
In South Africa until 1994, a system of racial separation (apartheid) that privileged the white minority was the law of the land and determined every aspect of daily life. Under the leadership of Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu, and with the help of the international community, the black majority succeeded in claiming their human rights and achieving political rights. This largely peaceful transition stirred great hope for a new multiracial future. Now however, a dozen years later, it is evident that the social, racial and economic divisions that had grown over centuries continue to threaten survival, prompt resistance and require transformation. Religion has always played an important role in South Africa’s history. Christian teachings were used in support of apartheid and were crucial in overcoming apartheid. Christian communities continue to play a role in South Africa’s efforts to overcome the past, build new relationships and confront new challenges such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We will take a close look at South African society and the role of religion by visiting with people, churches and communities who are leaders today in the struggle for survival and the resistance to despair. We will also make our own contributions by volunteering at a service project. During our travels in this land of stunning beauty we will visit one of South Africa’s great wildlife parks. Our itinerary includes visits to the Netherlands and England—countries whose colonial legacy shaped South Africa’s history.
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Three Capitals of Europe
Art 300
Dr. Peter Schultz, Art
Prerequisite: Art 155 or 156
Estimated seminar cost: $4,525 plus tuition $2,450
Wanted: Fun-loving art fanatics! We’ll travel to London, Florence and Paris for lengthy stays to observe and study some of the world’s greatest collections of art in three of Europe’s most dazzling “art capitals.” We’ll tour the museums, cathedrals, galleries and theatres that set these cities apart. Of particular importance will be your ability to demonstrate familiarity with the basic monuments of Western art, place these monuments within meaningful social contexts and to think about the interactions that exist between material culture, the historical process and the nimble human mind. We’ll begin in London and the exquisite collection of ancient Greek art in the British Museum. We’ll stop at the National Gallery, St. Paul’s Cathedral and sample the West End theatre district. Then it’s 10 days in glorious Florence to enjoy the city and spend time at the Uffizi, Duomo, Medici Palace, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum and the stunning Tuscan countryside. In Paris we’ll make the most of the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay before exploring the colorful neighborhoods of the City of Light, then move on to Monet’s home at Maison de Monet in Giverny, a daytrip to incredibly beautiful Versailles, then to the unique island of Mont-Saint-Michel to see an impressive collection of artifacts from the Middle Ages.
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Music of the Romantics
Music 300. Prerequisite: Music 250
David Hamilton, Music
Estimated seminar cost: $4,500 plus tuition: $2,450
Join this exploration of the Romantics in 19th century Europe as we plunge into the music and culture of France, Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Famous composers from Beethoven to Puccini to Dvorak will guide our journey. We’ll be using Paris, Florence, Vienna and Prague as our hubs as we take daytrips into the countryside. In Paris we’ll attend the Bastille Opera, spend a day at Monet’s estate in Giverny and enjoy the Art Nouveau treasures of Nancy. Florence will thrill us with its Maggio Musicale Festival and incredible art. You’ll have a chance to see Michelangelo’s David, explore the wonders of Venice, marvel at the leaning tower of Pisa and check out Puccini's home in the charming town of Lucca. In Vienna and Prague, the cultural epicenters of the 19th century, we’ll attend concerts and operas in some of the world’s most famous venues, dine on the most delectable pastries and find out what life was like in Europe's most fashionable capitals. We’ll take full advantage of various musical events and cultural sites, along with time to explore on our own.
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Historic Lifestyles
Food/Nutrition/Dietetics 300. Prerequisite: FND 250
Dr. Betty Larson, FND
Estimated seminar cost: $4,750 plus tuition: $2,450
Do the communities and lifestyles of individuals and families in the past and present interest you? Here’s your chance to explore and analyze the lifestyles and the character of life, relationships and communities in England, France, Denmark and Sweden. We will specifically focus on the impact of lifestyle on health, wellness and disease occurrence in each community we visit. We will start in England at Hampton Court, the home of Kings and Queens for over 400 years of English history. This venue provides many opportunities to study daily life, the lifestyle of women, health issues and the development of the Protestant religion. We will then travel to Stratford to examine country life in the 16th century including the origin of “taking pot luck” and the discovery of vitamin C. We will continue the exploration of communities and the life of royalty with a visit to Warwick Castle, the Tower of London, Napoleon’s Apartments and Versailles. We will explore the open-air food markets in England and France for an opportunity to view the current daily life. We will discover why the French, Danish and Swedish have a lower infant mortality and a longer life than Americans. We can examine the healthy impact of the Mediterranean diet, the European view of biotechnology and the wonders of Cadbury chocolate. We will have the opportunity to enjoy the elegance of gourmet food at a French cooking school and exquisite porcelain at Royal Copenhagen. There will also be opportunity to visit famous cathedrals for insight into spiritual health by exploring Notre Dame, St. Paul's and Sacre-Coeur. We will end our journey with an exploration into the Scandinavian lifestyle through the ages to the present at Skansen, the Nordic Museum.
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Drumming, Dancing, Art, and Culture in Ghana
Music 380. Prerequisite: West African Music, Art and Culture
Dr. Jeff Meyer, Music
Estimated seminar cost: $4,270* plus tuition: $2,450
There is no better way to learn about a culture than by experiencing its art, music and dance. This is especially true in the West African country of Ghana, one of the culturally richest areas of the world. Imagine working on Ghanaian art or music alongside a highly regarded musician or artist. Imagine joining an ensemble to create highly rhythmic and energetic music, or enjoy hours of vigorous dancing, learning the steps of the Ga, Ewe, and Dagamba people. This kind of engagement comprises the core of our seminar, which is primarily located at the Dagara Music Center, just outside Accra. Two-thirds of our time will be spent at the center, where during morning and evening hours we will learn traditional dancing and drumming through ensemble work, with an option of studying individually with an Ghanaian artist on such possibilities as the gyil (xylophone), kpanlogo or kjembe drums, kente weaving, batik, drum making or blacksmithing. This immersion into Ghanaian culture will help us discover the role the arts play in expressing, nurturing, and preserving cultural life. We’ll also attend performances by internationally renowned musicians and dancers, visit the culturally vibrant cities of Accra and Kumasi, see important historical sites such as the Cape Coast Castle (significant to the slave trade), discover villages dedicated to exquisitely made arts and crafts, explore beautiful national parks, and enjoy the beaches of the Atlantic ocean. *Includes half board (breakfasts and dinners)
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Defining Health Through Religion in China and Tibet
Religion 338J: Religions of Asia (Lanaghan)
Prerequisites: Choose one to be taken in the spring of 2008: Global Studies 240: Introduction to Asian Studies (1.0) (Lanaghan) or Nursing 250: Community Health in China: A Holistic Perspective (0.5) (Kloster); Dr. Tamara Lanaghan, Religion and Dr. Polly Kloster, Nursing
Estimated seminar cost: $5,200* plus tuition: $2,450
Over the millennia, Chinese and Tibetan medical practices have been shaped and influenced by Taoist and Buddhist religious traditions. Our seminar will focus on the influence of spirituality and religion on community health in these countries. Historical, cultural, religious, and health care traditions of the Chinese and Tibetan peoples will be examined from a holistic (mind, body, and spirit) perspective. Participants will develop an understanding of and keen appreciation for these rich traditions through our travels to Hong Kong and Macau, Tibet, Xian and Beijing. Participants will observe and participate in traditional ceremonies and health care practices as well as visits to numerous Buddhist and Taoist temples. Opportunities to engage in dialogue with students, faculty, and health care providers from universities and health care centers will also enhance our perspectives. Additional highlights will include panda watching; hiking the Great Wall; viewing the terra cotta warriors; Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City; exploring Tibet’s magnificent Potala Palace; shopping in traditional markets and sipping tea in traditional tea houses. *Includes half board at most locations
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A Mediated European Tour: Exploring International Media
Communications 300
Prerequisite: Communications 331 (Mass Media)
Dr. Don Rice, CSTA
Estimated seminar cost: $4,410 plus tuitioin: $2,450
Join us for an exciting tour of southern Europe, Ireland and England as we focus on communication and media patterns in six European cities: Athens, Rome, Madrid, Segovia, Dublin and London. We will visit famous museums and historic sites, creating a video documentary as we go. Additionally, we will develop video projects around selected cultural issues and topics important to each location. Students will visit communication facilities and meet with presenters on a variety of communication topics. The visits will also provide resource material for our creative video projects. We’ll travel with the International Communication seminar to share resources and save money. Projects will be created and produced by a blend of students from both seminars. Non-communication majors are welcome and no prior media experience is necessary.
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International Communication
Communications 300
Prerequisite: Communications 316 (Intercultural Communication)
Hank Tkachuk, CSTA
Estimated seminar cost: $4,410 plus tuition: $2,450
Explore the development of communication from the ancient Greeks to the modern use of communication for development. Our studies will focus on how communication has evolved over time and how culture has affected those developments. There will be visits to historic sites, conversations with communication professionals, and interaction with people from the host cultures as well as ample time for independent exploration at each stop. We’ll combine in teams with students from Dr. Rice’s seminar to co-develop video projects around selected cultural issues and topics important to each location. Everyone is welcome to participate in these fascinating seminars, and no prior communication background is necessary.
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Tanzania: It’s Wildlife and Culture
Biology 300. Prerequisite: Biology 250
Kirsten Diederich, Biology
Estimated seminar cost: $5,550* plus tuition: $2,450
For the wildlife enthusiast, this seminar will take us on a trip through the incredible game parks of Africa – Tarangire, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater where we will observe the magnificent biodiversity of East Africa. Through the use of experienced guides, we will study and observe the wildlife in their natural habitat and have the opportunity to visit with researchers studying the migration patterns of the elephant populations at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. For those have an interest in the field of medicine, we will visit with local physicians about the healthcare system in Tanzania, tour a hospital in Arusha, and meet one of the “bush” doctors responsible for healthcare in rural communities. A post seminar option is available for a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. *Includes full board (all meals)
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Vanished Civilizations of the Mediterranean
Classics 300. Prerequisite: Classics 130
Dr. Barbara McCauley, Classical Studies
By visiting ancient places once known only in literature, now recovered by archaeology, participants will gain insights into great ancient civilizations whose cultural remains still excite our imaginations. The Bronze Age palaces of Minoan Crete will challenge us to understand a people who ruled supremely over the Aegean. The citadels of Mycenae and Tiryns will allow us to glimpse the warlike culture of the Mycenaeans. The great Panhellenic sanctuaries of Olympia and Delphi offer insights into the lives of the classical Greeks. The buried cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Akrotiri remind us of the fragility of existence even as the eternal cities of Athens and Rome display their timeless grandeur. Our travels will include bustling Athens, scenic Greek islands and Italy’s sun drenched western coast. Includes half board (breakfast and dinner) at most locations
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Latin America: A Cultural Mosaic
Spanish 300
Dr. Eduardo Garguevich, Spanish
Estimated seminar cost: $5,000 plus tuition: $2,450
Our seminar begins in the enchanting mountain city of Cuscu, ancient capital of the Incas, where we’ll participate in a week of intensive Spanish language training before traveling by rail to the magical “lost” city of Machu Picchu, where the Andes meet the Amazon. In Lima, Peru’s busy capital city, we’ll tour the government offices and rich museums before leaving for the fishing village of Chimbote on Peru’s sandy Pacific Coast. Here we’ll work alongside Father Jack Davis, a missionary priest from Fargo, on his groundbreaking work to bring housing and justice to Peru’s poorest people. To our amazement, we’ll find leaving Chimbote to be one of the hardest things we’ll ever experience! In Argentina we’ll dance in Buenos Aires and enjoy one of South America’s most cosmopolitan cities before traveling to the Dominican Republic in the heart of the Caribbean to complete our appreciation of the Spanish “New World.”
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Issues of Class, Race and Ethnicity:
A Comparative Journey from Rome to London
Sociology 300. Prerequisite: Sociology 328
Dr. Nick Ellig, Sociology
Estimated seminar cost: $4,535 plus tuition: $2,450
Our destinations include Rome, Florence, Munich, Strasbourg, Paris, Amsterdam and London, where we’ll ask questions such as, what do the Roman Colosseum and other architectural marvels in the Eternal City teach us about social inequality? How are the upscale shopping districts of Rome, Florence and Paris benefiting from and contributing to global stratification? What do the slaves of ancient Rome have in common with immigrant laborers in the East End of London and sex workers in Amsterdam? How might we explain the current ethnic and racial tensions found in the suburbs of Paris and other immigrant enclaves? What does the French Revolution teach us about the causes, effects and responses to inequality? How is the legacy of colonization evident in the museums, streets and neighborhoods of great European cities like Paris, Amsterdam and London? Why must we not forget the horrors of concentration camps like the one outside of Dachau? We will use our observational skills as sociologists to address these and other questions about the forms, causes, persistence and effects of class, race and ethnic inequality from the past to the present. Our journey will begin in Rome and take us to London by way of Florence, Munich, Strasbourg, Paris and Amsterdam. Along the way we will have many opportunities to engage with the cultures of the places we visit by interacting with residents, visiting some of the greatest museums and churches in the world, touring neighborhoods, dining on good food, shopping and visiting historical sites.
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Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are:
La Gastronomie et l’identité française
French 300. Pre-requisites: French 255 and French 212
Dr. Gay Rawson
Estimated seminar cost: $5,050 plus tuition: $2,450
“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin uttered these now famous words well over a century ago but their impact remains with us today. This seminar will seek to understand who the French are and what being French means by studying the cuisine of France. We’ll join cooking classes with master chefs in Dijon, Perpignan, Paris and Rennes. We’ll hear fishermen in the harbor calling out their return from the Mediterranean and taste the “pré salé” at Mont St. Michel on the northern Channel. We have special “dégustations” organized for regional specialties all across France. From gingerbread and Dijon mustard to authentic French chocolates and olive oil, the French are known for more than baguettes and cheese. Their culinary expertise and taste are legendary and reflect the diverse and rich history of this country. With two homestays and culinary discoveries in several regions, we’ll be immersed in the food, culture, history, and people of France. Join us as we cook, eat and learn from the masters!
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