Jenzabar University

Dr. Melissa Burns-Cusato   m.cusato@centre.edu

This course offers students the opportunity to study monkeys in their natural habitat. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the behavior of green monkeys; develop proficiency in the methods and data analysis techniques commonly used in field research; gain an appreciation for the rich culture, history and ecology of Barbados, especially as they relate to green monkeys. Special attention will be given to an issue of human-wildlife conflict that is common in Barbados as well as around the globe – crop raiding. Economic, social, and political consequences of this behavior will be discussed. Students will then work with local farmers to develop and test a strategy to mitigate crop raiding. Throughout the course, students will conduct field observations of the monkeys during the day and review book chapters and articles as the basis for discussion during class meetings. After students have collected appropriate behavioral data, they will conduct statistical analyses, and present their findings.

Cost: $4500, a special fund will cover $1000 of this course, leaving the student to pay $3500.  Air Fare is not included but lodging, all entry fees, and two meals a day.  

African Roots: Cultural Expressions in Ghana  HUM/MUS

Greece: "Drama and Math in Ancient Greece" 

Dr. Alex McAllister  alex.mcallister@centre.edu and Dr. Kagen Moore

Program Description

We examine the dramatic arts and mathematics as practiced by the ancient Greeks including ways in which they intersect. The peoples of ancient Greece utilized both disciplines as ways to process and understand their changing world. Ultimately, they transformed both drama and mathematics, and created many fundamental elements and practices that continue to influence the modern age. We study the story of ancient Greek developments in drama and math, focusing on the history, the culture, and the detailed questions and techniques that arose in Athens, Epidavros, Delphi, Samos, and Delos and we look at specific innovations and events that gave rise to practices that remain relevant in the exercise of both disciplines today.

Cost: TBA

Includes: Flights, ground transportation, 3 meals/day, accommodations, and activities.

Japan Pilgrimage in the East: Actual and Environmental Footprints.  ASN/ENS 

Dr. Robert Schalkoff

Students will, within the larger context of experiential learning, explore the interconnection between spiritual and physical worlds focusing on concepts such as enlightenment, human and environmental deification, respect, awareness, and sustainability through a three week, walking pilgrimage experience in Japan. Students will learn basic tenets of Japanese Buddhism as well as Shinto, a spiritual belief system unique to Japan. At the same time, they will focus on environmental issues directly related to pilgrimage sites where students will be trekking. Meetings with scholars, experts, and local religious leaders as well as key players in the tourism industry will help students understand the complex issues that arise when religion, tradition, and tourism meet. Students will discuss their observations in meetings held periodically throughout the course. On the second to last day in the field, students will present an initial summary of their learning through presentations or creative projects. A short paper submitted prior to return to the US will help students synthesize readings and reflections written during the course and to further develop the ideas they explored in their presentations or creative projects.

A $500 deposit is due on April 1, 2022

Apply directly to the director, applications due by Feb 15th.  (Robert.schalkoff@centre.edu)   Cost $4200

Environment and Society in  (Oaxaca)  ENS 

Dr. Mark Galatowitsch (mark.galatowitsch@centre.edu) & Dr. Robyn Cutright (robyn.cutright@centre.edu)

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the co-evolution and interactions among plants, animals, and human society in Oaxaca, Mexico. Specifically, we’ll focus on corn, cochineal, agave, and chocolate as windows onto processes such as domestication, globalization, development, human-environment interactions, and identity in Oaxaca. Students will engage with questions and methods from a range of disciplines to address these interrelated processes through site visits, readings and student projects, and opportunities to learn from local experts. At the end of this course, students will be able to trace how humans have shaped and been influenced by plants, animals, and the environment over 10,000 years of human history, and how this engagement is negotiated and practiced today by the people of Oaxaca.

“Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Morocco and Spain” (REl) 

Dr. Matthew Pierce (matthew.pierce@centre.edu) and Dr. David Hall (wdavid.hall@centre.edu) 

This course introduces students to the history of the interactions between Judaism, Islam, and Christianity in Morocco and Spain that began in the Medieval period and extend into the present, and to the rich culture these interactions have produced. We will explore historical and architectural sites and visit with living communities to gain a sense of the legacy, both good and bad, that these interactions have left in the region. Students will come away with an understanding of the religions’ historical and cultural effects and their continuing engagements on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar.

If you are interested in applying for this course, please be in direct contact with the faculty directors named above.

Taiwan: "Ceramics, Cuisine, and Colonialism: An Exploration of Intercultural Exchange in Taiwan” (CHN), (ARS)

Physical Science of Volcanoes in New Zealand (CHE)

Dr. Joe Workman (joe.workman@centre.edu) and Dr. Kerry Paumi (Kerry.paumi@centre.edu)  

Course Description:

Students will study the physical science of volcanoes and related geothermal phenomena. The study of volcanoes in New Zealand offers students the chance to engage in the wonders of geology through the different sites, smells, tastes and sounds of geological activity that we can experience on the North Island of New Zealand. The list of topics for the course in fundamental geological principles and volcanism will frame the course, with New Zealand volcanoes used as specific examples. The nature of the course precludes laboratory work, but some fieldwork will be done using thermometers, hand lenses, and pH paper. The prerequisite is any physical science course (normally CHE 131, 135 or 117, NSC 110 or 140, PHY 110 or 117) at Centre College or permission of the instructor. There will be some relatively strenuous hiking involved, so physical fitness is a natural requirement.

Cost:

TBA but covers all basic costs (round-trip airfare, in-country transportation, housing, meals, excursions and entrance fees.

To Apply:

     If you are interested in applying for this course, please be in direct contact with the faculty director named above. Apply by Feb 15th.

Sustainable Development in Thailand (ENS)

Dr. Brett Werner (Brett.werner@centre.edu) 

Building on student knowledge and interest across a few disciplinary approaches, this course takes an in-depth look at Sustainable Development in the context of Southeast Asia and Thailand. Using the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals as a guide (and Nicholas Grossman's Thailand's Sustainable Development Sourcebook) as a starting point, we will investigate several of Thailand's approaches to development, including brief consideration of most of the following, and an in-depth look at some of the following: poverty, hunger, health, education, equality, water, energy, work, infrastructure, climate, biodiversity, and more. Our course will take us to multiple sites in Thailand with a base of operations in Bangkok and the surrounding region, along with Chiang Mai (northern Thailand), and southern Thailand (likely Prachuap Khiri Khan).

“Contemplative Ecology/Nature’s Sacrament” (BNS) 

Dr. Aaron Godlaski (aaron.godlaski@centre.edu)

An interdisciplinary journey into our physical and metaphysical connection to nature, and the psychosociocultural experience of living in a time of catastrophic climate change. Because knowing the cause is not the same as making sense. Such a journey to solve these issues requires a radical de-centering of the self and its desires; a shift in the structural and temporal understanding of the place of humanity in the more-than- human world; and the creation of space for mourning and grief for what has been, and is yet to be, lost. This course connects works on Nature and Being across the Sciences, Humanities, and Arts. Topics include: ecopsychology; environmental and human health; spiritual ecology; deep ecology; climate justice, climate grief and creative catharsis.

Cost: TBA
Includes: flight, transportation, visits, 2 meals/day , accommodation and activities. 

Merida Internships (Mexico)  

Dr. Rick Axtell (rick.axtell@centre.edu)

Students with advanced proficiency in the Spanish language are eligible to live and work in Merida for 3-4 weeks in January. It is a great opportunity to professionalize one's Spanish language abilities, to prepare for a career, and to embed yourself in the local community.

Cost: $1000 (does not include airfare)
Includes: All meals, homestay, and a day excursion in Merida


If you are interested in this course please contact Dr. Rick Axtell and/or Mrs. Karen Ryan ( karen.ryan@centre.edu )

Cultural Expressions in Ghana HUM/MUS

HUM/MUS African Roots: Cultural Expressions in Ghana The West African country of Ghana features an exhilarating and colorful culture in which music, dance, ritual, storytelling, healing, and visual art are interwoven to create an intricate and richly textured fabric. This course will be a rare opportunity to study these traditions from the inside out. Students will work directly with Ghanaian masters who will provide instruction in the visual and performing arts – including drumming, dancing, weaving, traditional tie-dye, and more. We will also have amazing excursions to such sites as Kumasi, the ancient capital of the Ashanti kingdom; the slave castle at Cape Coast, where thousands of Africans were forcibly detained before embarking on the Middle Passage, and excursions to golden beaches, tropical rainforests, and wildlife sanctuaries.

Dr. Larry Bitensky