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"The science of anthropology holds that to
understand the principles of human behavior, we must compare our own behaviors
with those of people from other times and places around the world."
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Your Mission:
This course is designed to expose students to the many layers of human
interaction with the environment in the Galapagos. Professor Meltzoff will
teach students techniques to approach locals, gather information, and immediately
delve into the current events of the region. You'll quickly discover that
in the Galapagos, this simply means conversing with your tour guides, meeting
fellow students at the local university, and swapping stories with locals
over a game of pool. You will learn how to attain a solid foundation
of contacts in an international setting, and then develop them into a growing
network of friends, even after your travels are over. Your goal by the
end of this course, is to have expanded on your collection of lenses used
to view your surroundings, and therefore have a deeper understanding of
how the human world is struggling to coexist with other species in this
once isolated group of islands.
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The Course of Excitement:
The expedition begins at the Galapagos National Park Headquarters and
Darwin Research Center on the island of Santa Cruz. Here, we will meet
the park officers, visit the famous Lonesome George, and sit alongside
the other giant tortoises who were once former pets. Sighing and grunting,
blinking and arching their serpentine necks, tortoises were once the infatuation
of filmmaker Steven Speilberg just before he directed ET - hardly a coincidence.
From here, it's off to the highlands, where we will hike and ride horses,
make friends with the locals, and observe sub-species of tortoises in the
wild (the sub-species distinguishes one island tortoise from another).
Moments like these will provide an opportune time to discuss various conservation
efforts with park officials, naturalists, tourist sector workers, guides,
local farmers, and shopkeepers. Our continuing quest is to observe "what
is actually happening". |
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Island Hopping:
About a week will be spent touring the islands by boat, visiting more
distant settlements and “indigenous colonies” of animals. We'll visit the
outer island of Floreana, where caves, rich soil, and fresh water drew
European settlers between the World Wars. We will have the chance to meet
some of these old-time settlers, and many of their children who choose
to stay in the Galapagos and are among the elite of the islands working
in tourism and conservation.
Around the pinnacle of Bartolome Island, feel free to swim with the
world's smallest penguins in this winter season of cold waters, mists and
amazing mating birds. Watch as the red-breasted Magnificent Frigate males,
in olive sheen black plumage, inflate their ruby red chest balloons with
a slim margin of 48 hours per year to attract a mate. Venture by the shore
where flamingos feed in a salt pond, and sea lion pups play on the rocky
coast. Keep your eye on a cluster of Lava rocks crawling towards you only
to discover they're in fact marine iguanas re-positioning their bodies
in the shade. To put it simply: this course is headed for adventure. Join
us in exploring whoever and whatever these enchanted islands have in store
for us.
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Assignments
and Required Reading
One week before departure to the Islands, students are responsible
for the required reading. During the trip, students must maintain a daily
journal that includes contacts made in the Galapagos, notes on issues,
interviews and events, as well as reactions, and all observations of that
day. By the end of the trip, leading into your arrival in Miami, students
should have a rough draft of three essays and one proposal regarding topics
given by Professor Meltzoff. These topics change year to year, though they
basically revolve on the current issues you learned about in the Galapagos.
The topic for your proposal is left open for you to choose.
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Grading
10%; Contribution to Reader and Exam/Essay on Reader
40% Field participation with group vs clique spirit
Flexibility, open-heartedness, and humor required
50% Field journal, daily detailed observation printed or typed
Photography is a bonus—only turn in COPY to professor |
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Summer Program Dates -- June 14- July
8, 2005 (approximate)
Credits -- 3 - 6 undergraduate or graduate
Fees -- Tuition and travel package that includes airfare, accommodations,
meals, land and sea transportation within the Galapagos, park entrance
fees, and field trips.
Space limited. Early deposit required.
For more information please contact :
Chris Tingue
Division of Continuing and International Education
University of Miami
212 Allen Hall, Division of Continuing and International Education
5050 Brunson Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
(305) 284-3183
ctingue@miami.edu
Recommended
Packing
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