COSTA RICA COURSE GUIDE GROUP A
CLASS TIME 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

GEOGRAPHY 1600

Environmental Geography

Catalog description: An analysis of the interactions between humankind and the world's physical environments which have led to present-day environmental stresses.  Topics include utilization of resources, population growth, food supplies, energy and air, and water pollution.

Professor's addendum :  Costa Rica will be used as a laboratory to study human-environment interactions with a focus on tropical rainforests, urban environments, and coastal environments.

HISTORY 2000

Environmental History

Catalog description: The rise and decline of states, empires and civilizations in world history from ancient times to the modern period, seen from an environmental perspective.

Professor's addendum: This course will seek to bring environmental issues into the foreground of history, particularly those which supported or constrained the rise of agriculture, cities, and civilizations. Initially, we will seek to answer the question, "what is environmental history?" and then investigate how the environment affected human origins and spread. A major focus of the course will be on Mesoamerica and Costa Rica from the late pre-Columbian period to modern times. The environmental impact of the "Columbian Exchange," the ecology of the rainforest, and the present day struggles between conservation of the rainforest and economic development programs such as coffee, timber, cattle, and bananas, will be other themes of the course. All standard program field trips, as illustrative of the Costa Rican environment, will be folded into the course.

Course readings, materials, and activities: As a textbook we will read a short history of environmentalism and the Costa Rican rainforest: John Vandermeer and Ivette Perfecto, Breakfast of Biodiversity (1995). Students will also read Ishmael , by Daniel Quinn, and articles in a packet supplied by the instructor. Supplementary activities will include films, class discussions, and of course, field trips.

BIOLOGY 1053

Contemporary Biology

Catalog description: (for non-majors, 3 credits) Prerequisite: eligibility for enrollment in  ENGL 1157.  This course is the first of two courses designed to present biology in a manner relevant to the non-science major. This semester consists of a study of form and function of the Human body and aspects of health and disease.

Addendum:  This class will focus on cellular functions, especially those working in our bodies.  Examples of other cellular processes will be seen from the surrounding areas. 

SPANISH 1001

Basic Spanish I

Catalog description A sequence of courses developing all four language skills: speaking, understanding, writing, and reading. The course includes the presentation and discussion of cultural material such as magazines, films, records, and other audio-visual items when feasible

SPANISH 2001

Intermediate Spanish I

Catalog description: Prerequisite: SPAN 1002 or consent of department. Continuation of the development of all four language skills: speaking, understanding, writing, and reading. The course includes the presentation and discussion of cultural material such as magazines, films, records, and other audio-visual items when feasible.

SPANISH 3031

Spanish Conversation

Catalog description: Prerequisite: SPAN 2002 or consent of department. Conversation, oral discussions, interpretations and reports, practicing the spoken language. Not open to native speakers of Spanish. Native speakers majoring in Spanish must substitute three hours at the 3000 level or above.

SPANISH 3042

Advanced Spanish Composition and Syntax

Catalog description: Prerequisite: SPAN 3041. Drill in original descriptive and narrative composition in the language with attention to style, syntax, idioms, and verb forms.

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COSTA RICA COURSE GUIDE GROUP B
CLASS TIME 10:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

GEOGRAPHY 2404

Latin America

Catalog description: The natural environments, cultures, and economic resources of Latin America -- from Amazonia to the Andes .  Emphasis is placed on the effects of both traditional and modern land use systems on cultural diversity and change and on the internal and external forces that have limited the economic development of Mexico and the nations of Central America, the Caribbean, and South America .

Professor's addendum :  This course will expose students to the various ways in which geographers study and learn about other places using Costa Rica as a laboratory for learning about Latin America .  Costa Rica is both modern and traditional and has varied internal and external influences on its culture, economy, and politics.

HISTORY 2000

Environmental History

Catalog description: The rise and decline of states, empires and civilizations in world history from ancient times to the modern period, seen from an environmental perspective.

Professor's addendum: This course will seek to bring environmental issues into the foreground of history, particularly those which supported or constrained the rise of agriculture, cities, and civilizations. Initially, we will seek to answer the question, "what is environmental history?" and then investigate how the environment affected human origins and spread. A major focus of the course will be on Mesoamerica and Costa Rica from the late pre-Columbian period to modern times. The environmental impact of the "Columbian Exchange," the ecology of the rainforest, and the present day struggles between conservation of the rainforest and economic development programs such as coffee, timber, cattle, and bananas, will be other themes of the course. All standard program field trips, as illustrative of the Costa Rican environment, will be folded into the course.

Course readings, materials, and activities: As a textbook we will read a short history of environmentalism and the Costa Rican rainforest: John Vandermeer and Ivette Perfecto, Breakfast of Biodiversity (1995). Students will also read Ishmael , by Daniel Quinn, and articles in a packet supplied by the instructor. Supplementary activities will include films, class discussions, and of course, field trips.

BIOLOGY 1063

Contemporary Biology

Catalog description: Prerequisite: eligibility for enrollment in ENGL 1157. This course is the second part of a two-semester sequence. The course is designed to provide the Non-science major with basic information about the principles of ecology.

Addendum: This class will focus on biodiversity of organisms (plants, animals, fungi, etc) as well as the ecosystem as a whole.  Costa Rica is an area of high biodiversity which will be used to our advantage in this class and will include field trips to surrounding areas to observe this rich biodiversity first hand.      

SPANISH 1002

Basic Spanish II

Catalog description: Prerequisite: SPAN 1001. A continuation of SPAN 1001.

SPANISH 2002

Intermediate Spanish II

Catalog description: Prerequisite: SPAN 2001 or consent of department. Readings and exercises in Spanish. Special emphasis on comprehension as well as oral and written expression in the language.

SPANISH 3055

Introduction to the Analysis and Interpretation of Spanish Literature

Catalog description: A study of techniques of literary analysis particular to each of the major genres with readings and discussion of representative works.