Southern Connecticut State

    University's

                                    INTERNATIONAL FIELD STUDY

                                                IN ICELAND!      

                              

 

June 5 - June 19, 2011 in Iceland*

 

Iceland

The 2011 Summer Study Abroad program to Iceland aims to engage students in a field-based exploration of the interrelationships between the economy and the environment.  Iceland is a unique setting for such an endeavor in that it is one of the world's leaders in innovative environmental policies and energy production.

The Iceland field experience focuses on student centered active learning and engages students in a number of field activities in various locations throughout the country. The trip concludes with a stay in Reykjavik--Iceland's capitol city-- where students will have the opportunity to visit a variety of museums and take part in any number of Icelandic events and activities.

Through this field experience and related individual group projects students will gain a detailed knowledge of the social and environmental factors which continue to influence the development of Icelandic society, and will learn how to apply this knowledge to critically assess nature-society in other contexts. Students will gain valuable experience in research project design and implementation as well as improve their writing skills through a number of writing workshops. 

Students will stay in hotels for part of the trip, followed by lodging in a guest house located on a 1250 hectare private nature and heritage site.

*There will be 2 preparatory classes on the Southern campus before the trip: Tuesday, May 31 and Thursday, June 2 from 5 to 6:30 pm.  Additionally, there will be a meeting after the field experience on Tuesday, June 28, from 5 to 7:30 pm.

Courses

Students will enroll in the following  2 courses which are both electives in the geography major/minor.  One of the courses will be offered as a W course which will allow students to fulfill a W requirement linked to an international field experience.

 There are no prerequisites for these courses, however Southern students must have completed ENGL 112 to be allowe d to sign up for a W course.   Students must be 18 years or older and should have student records free of disciplinary problems.  Students must have a valid passport and sign a release of liability, health report, and insurance.  

GEO 305w Environmental Economic Geography

 3 credits

  Theory & applications of economic geography to  environmental issues. The course outlines four core themes, which all contribute to the understanding of sustainable economic geographies and the roots and compass of an environmental economic geography.  The four themes are ecological modernization, natural  resources, institutions & environmental governance and globalization and sustainability.

 

 GEO 470 Field Techniques

3 credits

 This course involves field study in either the Southern  Connecticut region area or outside the United States {Iceland}.  Areas are visited and mapped, and techniques of field research are studied with the physical and human  aspects of the environment.  

 

General Information

All Southern Connecticut State University undergraduate geography & environmental science/studies majors are  encouraged to take these two courses.  These courses will also be very relevant to students with environmental and economic backgrounds from other majors either at SCSU or from its sisters institutions.  SCSU is the only university in the state of Connecticut to offer a course like this one. 

Program Fees: $2,100

 Fees include transportation to & from the airport, airfare, lodging, transportation in Iceland, group dinners, and field trip activities.  The program fee does not include the Southern summer registration fee, personal expenses, books, snacks, or any additional expenses that alter the itinerary or arrangements.

 A non-refundable deposit of $500 made out to 'SCSU-Program in Iceland' is due upon submitting an application.  This guarantees your participation in the program and reserves your room. A second payment of $1,000 is due on March 12, 2011. The remainder of the balance ($600 ) is due no later than May 1, 2011.

Tuition is not included in the program fees. Each student must register for 6 credits at SCSU. 

 Fees are based upon historical program costs and  current rates of exchange. Extreme fluctuation in exchange rates or boarding costs in Iceland may result in additional fees being charged. The University     reserves the right to change the  itinerary of proposed trips if needed to control the cost of the overall trip.  In the event that additional fees exceed the present costs by more than 20%, the student may choose to drop the course and will receive a refund of all funds recoverable by the university. Fees will be frozen on May 1, 2011 and after May 1, there will be no refunds.

The program accepts no responsibility for personal property, which must be insured separately if so desired, and reserves the right to make changes required by circumstances. The University reserves the right to cancel this program in the event that  student safety abroad is in  question. Cancellation insurance is strongly advised. In the event of a cancellation, tuition refunds will be given in accordance with the policy of the university. Copies of the cancellation policy, required releases, and medical statements, may be obtained from the SPAR office.