Summer 2010 programs are offered in these locations: Argentina, Australia & New Zealand, Central Europe, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Italy, Japan, London, Scotland, and Spain.
Spanish and Culture in Buenos Aires is designed for students to take an intensive Spanish language class in addition to a Culture of Argentina class. By staying with host families, studying at the prestigious Universidad de Belgrano, and having immediate access to the thriving metropolis of the capital city, students will find themselves emerged in the local language and culture. Many excursions in and around Buenos Aires are planned as an integral part of the Culture class, including visits to the famous Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires and to the Evita Museum, which celebrates the life of Evita Perón. There will also be excursions outside of the Buenos Aires, highlighted by a three-night visit to the majestic Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil.
The Film, Television and Culture of Australia and New Zealand This three-and-a-half week course explores the cultural, natural and economic factors that have shaped the landscape of Australian and New Zealand film and television. Students will examine a variety of the region’s moving images (including Flight of the Conchords, Summer Heights High, The Piano, The Castle, Rabbit Proof Fence, Ned Kelly, Whale Rider, and Picnic at Hanging Rock), while visiting the surrounding areas of Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne. Here, students will have the opportunity to tour a Lord of the Rings set; attend Maori cultural performances, live television tapings, famous landmarks and museums; interact with locals; and explore the area’s unique natural beauty to better understand the area’s culture and mediascape. By the end of the course, students will have gained a rich insight into the cultural complexities of New Zealand and Australian media and understand why the region is becoming increasingly favored by international filmmakers.
For more information, see www.rtvfmediastudies.tcu.edu/australia.htm
Dynasty to Democracy: The program is a multi-disciplinary approach stressing field experience in central European countries (Hungary, Czech Republic, and Austria). All students (irrespective of the course(s) they register for) participate in structured, site-related experiences that introduce fine art, culture, history & politics with an emphasis on the wide-ranging causes & effects of the transition from dynasty to democracy. Life Studies introduces students to the European drawing tradition in an intensive study of the human figure. The course allows ample time for studio practice and includes historical, cultural, and aesthetic analysis.
European Educational Perspectives: Of Privilege and Promise: This program will offer students an enriching opportunity to learn about European educational approaches in both Amsterdam, Netherlands and Kraków, Poland. In Amsterdam, Netherlands, students will visit the Hogeschool Edith Stein, the University of Muenster, and the Association Montessori Internationale. The Amsterdam experience will include visits to Montessori landmarks: the house where Maria Montessori worked and lived, as well as a visit to Nienhuis, the Netherlands manufacturers of Montessori teaching materials. In Kraków, Poland, students will have the opportunity to learn about, volunteer and interact with children at the Jan Brzechwa Orphanage, a children’s home established by the famous Polish children’s literature author, Jan Brzechwa. This facility houses 45 children under the age of six and 15 young mothers and/or pregnant girls, providing education and care for all of its residents and also enabling young mothers to continue their schooling while learning to care for their children. Topics covered while abroad will include: European educational approaches, Montessori and Reggio Emilia curriculum philosophies, and brain based research as applied to development, teaching and learning.
Environmental Issues in Costa Rica: In this course, students spend two and a half weeks in Costa Rica examining environmental issues and the case for environmental stewardship, defined as the need to make informed and responsible decisions with regard to the planet. Costa Rica provides a unique biological learning environment. It is one of the smallest countries in the Americas, yet has the most diverse selection of flora and fauna in the hemisphere. This diversity is now under threat from widespread habitat destruction, primarily through deforestation. At the same time, the country has one of the most enlightened and dedicated approaches to conservation in the world. Students get to experience first-hand the difficulties involved in working toward a balance between humans and nature, or development and the preservation of environmental quality. It is also a unique opportunity for students to engage in critical and reflective thinking about our resources, the environment, and our place within it.
Fashion in Paris: Paris consistently is a strong influence on fashion worldwide. Professional industry appointments and various museum visits provide exposure to both historic and contemporary fashion as well as cultural trends and influences. The Paris trip highlights the connections among costume history, Frenchculture, and industry. The program features on-campus lecture and orientation followed by a field study in Paris and surrounding areas. Seminars in France will provide a vast exposure to historic costume and the contemporary fashion industry.
Interiors in Paris / Women's Studies in Paris: Paris provides an opportunity to explore firsthand the history of the styles of architecture, interiors, furnishings, and decorative arts after 1900 A.D. Visits to museums, historical structures, and more provide exposure to both historic and contemporary designs as well as cultural trends and influences. The Paris trip examines the design of significant 20th century structures, especially as these relate to gender issues. A heavy component of the course examines the evolution of ideals of home. The program features lectures with field study in Paris and surrounding areas. This course also provides WOST credit and is open to WOST minors with the permission of Professor Prestwood.
Language and Culture of France in Provence: This program provides an exciting opportunity for students to experience French culture and society and to improve their French language skills. The program takes place in southern France, in the ancient city of Arles in the beautiful region of Provence. Living in the heart of Provence, TCU students will learn about many aspects of Provençal culture through the study of the history, culture, products and traditions of the region. Each week will be devoted to a unique aspect of Provence. First, we will explore ancient Provence and learn about its unique language and traditions. We will make excursions to Roman ruins and study the representation of Provence in books and films. Next, students will learn about local industries and products such as olive oil, lavender, textiles, and traditional foods, complimented with a cooking demonstration of traditional southern dishes. Finally, students will learn about artists and writers whose works are closely connected to southern France and will take excursions to sites associated with them. A rich and varied program, this course will help students improve their language skills and obtain a new understanding of the diverse culture of France.
Art in Europe: Students in this course will study drawing, collage, painting, sculpture or printmaking at the prestigious European Academy of Fine Art in Trier, Germany. Insights into the art and art history of Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg will also be part of this course. Walking and bike tours of Paris, Luxembourg, Trier, Metz and Cologne will focus on the architecture, museums, and cultural histories of Europe. Visits to Roman ruins in the city of Trier add an historic perspective to the cultural nuances of that region. Students will be challenged by the experience, working with faculty who hail from France, Italy, Scotland, Spain, England and Germany, as they approach their own artistic development with new eyes and appreciation of how the past contributes to their present.
German Language and Culture: This six-credit course will offer participants an intense immersion experience in the German language and culture. Participants are also strongly encouraged to enroll in a preparatory film course in English offered in the spring semester, GRMN 20123: “Berlin in Film.” The two principal sites are Cologne (3 weeks) and Berlin (1 week). In Cologne, you will take an intensive language course at the Carl Duisberg Zentrum in the mornings for 24 class hours per week. In the afternoons, Dr. Williams will accompany you on excursions relating both to historical and present-day Cologne. Excursions to neighboring sites (e.g. Aachen, Bonn, the Rhine River) will take place on weekends. For this three-week period, you will be hosted by German families. In week four, you will travel to Berlin to experience Germany’s dynamic new (and old) capital. Study materials will be presented on the course web site, and excursions will be related to web content. Among other assignments, the major project of this course will consist in a large scrapbook documenting your travel experiences, to be completed after your return from Germany.
Understanding West Africa:This course is aimed at introducing you to the cultural and socio-political development of Ghana through an interdisciplinary study and travel-abroad experience in this West African nation. The program is designed to make you arrive at some level of understanding of African life and the socio-economic development of post-colonial Ghana. It is expected that, as you immerse yourself in Ghanaian rural settings, you will also come to appreciate the difference between life in a pre-industrial culture and life in a contemporary urban setting. The program also presents an opportunity for you to experience and to understand the connections between Africa and the African Diaspora. The program consists of: A) an informational session on program details, B) 2 pre-departure orientations, C) 2 seminars at TCU, D) 2 cultural orientation sessions, E) 9 seminars at the University of Ghana (led by Ghanaian professors and experts), F) field trips and service-learning activities in Ghana, G) presentation of a journal and final paper (integration of readings and field notes). Program is open to students of all majors, faculty, staff, and administrators.
For more information, see http://www.span.tcu.edu/ghana.asp
Greek Literature: A classic educational experience: Students in this program will spend seventeen days exploring Athens and the major archaeological sites of the Peloponnese. Ancient authors like Plutarch, Strabo and Pausanias will be our guides as we visit Delphi, Sparta, Epidaurus, Eleusis, Corinth, Olympia, Nemea and Mycenae as well as the major sites in Athens itself. This year, we will also travel north to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, located on the Roman Via Egnatia. Ancient Greek history and religion will be emphasized. Students will reflect on the differences and similarities between ancient and contemporary tourism, learning from ancient literary sources and writing their own “travel narratives.” Seven days will be spent in Athens, seven days will be spent traveling around the Peloponnese, and three days will be spent traveling in northern Greece. Reading and writing assignments will be closely tied to visits to museums and archaeological sites.
Italian Culture and Language in Genoa: Students will have the opportunity to live in Genoa. The course, directed by TCU professor Sandra Waters, offers students the opportunity to improve linguistic and cultural proficiency by interacting with natives of the culture. Students will be directed to actively investigate topics which highlight various aspects of Italian culture and history. They will share apartments with other participants in the program and will enroll concurrently in an intensive language course taught by the faculty at the Study in Italy Center. Included in the program fee are a walking tour of the city, several dinners, a pass to Genoa museums, excursions to nearby towns, a tour of the Palazzo Reale, and an opera (if available). The coastal towns of Savona, San Remo, La Spezia and Pisa are easily accessible by train, as are the bigger cities of Milan, Turin, and Bologna. This program provides an exciting opportunity for students to experience Italian culture, examine Italian life, and improve their Italian language skills.
Japanese Language and Culture:Tokyo is one of the most historical and cosmopolitan cities in the world. There are a plethora of breathtaking temples, shrines and castles all over Japan, and it is only twelve-hour flight to take you there. The Language and Culture in Japan summer program offers you three weeks of intensive learning of Japanese culture and language from within. More than two weeks will be spent at our exchange university in Tokyo for lectures and excursions to observe what you learned that day. In the evening, your Japanese conversational partner might take you to karaoke. You will also have opportunities to cheer at a sumo arena and a baseball stadium. Trips include a visit to Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and other locations of great historical significance. Also, let us not forget what Japan has created: Sony, Nintendo, Toyota, of course, Hello Kitty. There is something in this program to satisfy everyone’s interest.
Japan Heritage, Criminal Justice, and Global Sustainability: This program can be a three course sequence that includes one spring 2010/3 hour course taught at TCU and two concurrent summer courses (in the May summer session) taught in Japan. It is not mandatory that the student take all 3 classes to participate. The spring course, allowed for only those signing up for the abroad experience, will be a fun and educational introduction to Japanese culture, society and its place in the world. All courses, at TCU and in Japan will integrate lecture, guest speakers and site visits as parts of the instruction. A student can earn 3 to 9 hours in Sociology, Criminal Justice, and/or Anthropology. During the 2 weeks in Japan, students will explore Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, the Japanese Alps and more.
FTDM in London: This program provides an opportunity to study British film, television, new media, theatre, and everyday culture while earning up to 6-hours of upper-division credit. Enjoy and learn with: plays, movies, museums, walking tours, lectures, and good companionship in one of the world’s most exciting cities. FTDM 30663 Film in a Global Society examines the increasingly global nature of the film and broadcasting industries, and explores the impact of US films abroad; FTDM 30643: British Cinema and European Culture focuses upon postcolonial, social, economic, and political factors that create the visual image in British cinema.
Healthcare in London:Global Perspectives in Health utilizes the process of field study to compare the U.S. and British health care systems. We also compare historical and contemporary aspects of health in both countries. The course is taught in various sites in and around London. Visits are made to areas outside of London such as Oxford and Windsor to compare urban and rural health issues. This course has been taught on five prior occasions, and has consistently received exceptional student evaluations.
Journalism in London: The London setting offers special opportunities through experiences, speakers and field trips to examine how global communication, advertising, and public relations work. Students will learn about the British media, culture, cuisine and communications in exciting and educational ways.
Leadership London is an interdisciplinary, seminar-discussion, site-based program. Classic cases and texts are used to anchor class discussions with most of the ‘air time’ belonging to students. We take full advantage of London by incorporating excursions to culturally, politically and historically meaningful places into our study of leadership. For example, when we examine the extraordinary circumstances of the rise of Queen Elizabeth I to the throne, we'll spend the afternoon visiting the Tower of London where she was imprisoned as a young woman. After considering the nature of charismatic leadership we'll visit Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms from which he gave his impassioned speeches and guided England during World War II. The interdisciplinary framework of the program makes the study of leadership accessible and relevant for students from any major. Students earn 3 or 6 hours of credit in sociology, anthropology and/or criminal justice. Three-day weekends are built into the program to allow students time for independent exploration and travel in London, the UK or Europe. Housing in London is centrally located, only minutes away from theatres, parks and gardens, museums, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the river Thames, and other major attractions.
*See http://coco-loveslondon.blogspot.com/2009/10/promotional-video-take-look.html for more information about Leadership London!
Literary London: This course is an excellent means by which to satisfy several primal summer urges: to travel, to be outside, and to edify your mind. Students will receive close instruction in traditional disciplinary skills (how to read literary and persuasive texts analytically, as well as how to compose incisive commentary). Students will also develop their proficiency in new media technologies, including blogging, to analyze London and the literature inspired by this great city. Our “classroom” changes every day, for we will discuss culture in its socio-historical context at some of the most significant historical and cultural sites in London, including the Royal Maritime Museum, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kenwood House, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Imperial War Museum, Leighton House, the Sherlock Holmes Museum, the British Library, and more.
*See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C3QM29NaMg for more information about Literary London!
Speech Pathology in London: Speech pathologists study language and its disorders. While in London, students will look at the practice of speech pathology in sites that parallel US practice sites to see the similarities and differences. At each site, a practicing speech pathologist will spend time discussing the site, its clients and practice patterns. Tentative sites include The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, St. Thomas Hospital Cochlear Implant Team, a public school, City University London and Nuffield Dyspraxia Centre. Though Americans and Britons speak English, there are significant semantic and cultural differences. Students will keep journals to track these differences as well as information learned at the various sites.
Theatre in London: Spend 5 weeks in London experiencing the richness and diversity of British theatre in the world’s greatest theatre city. The course includes approximately 9 different productions, in the West End (which features Broadway-style musicals and plays), the Fringe (smaller, contemporary productions), the Royal National Theatre (the world’s greatest state theatre featuring new plays, classics, and musicals in a complex featuring 3 different theatres), Shakespeare’s Globe (historical recreation of the Elizabethan playhouse on the Thames), and trips to see the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Also included are backstage tours, special guest speakers from the professional theatre, and class visits to other important British cultural sites, such as the British Museum, the National Gallery, the British Library, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and many others. Many students choose to attend more theatre productions on their own, or to travel in the UK and Europe on 3-day weekends. London features world-class museums, shopping, and historical tours. Assignments include keeping a daily journal of cultural activities, a class presentation, and a critique or research paper. Students who sign up for THEA 40970 (in addition to THEA 40143) are required to attend more theatre productions and cultural sites on their own, and write a more extensive research paper. This class is open and suitable for both Theatre and non-Theatre majors.
Scotland: The Land and the People: This course is a three-week immersion in the land and people of Scotland. It will acquaint you with the landscape and the culture of this small country and the enormous contributions of its peoples to Western civilization and American society. You will visit the Hebrides, the Highlands, the Midland Valley and the Southern Borders. You will traverse breathtaking landscapes and learn the geology beneath. You will become acquainted with the history and culture of Scotland from prehistoric times, through the Roman invasion, the flowering of Celtic Christianity, the struggle for nationhood, the Reformation, the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. You will learn of the leaders and the ordinary people who shaped Scotland, of warriors and poets, of art and architecture, of castles and cottages. After participating in this program, you will be able to understand and evaluate the contributions of Scottish culture to Western Europe and the world. Students may elect to enroll in 3 to 6 credit hours. All students are strongly encouraged to enroll in GEOL 30333 Scotland—the Land and the People.
Spanish Language and Culture in Sevilla: Settled in the historical region of Andalucia, Sevilla is a culturally rich city. From awesome architecture to tasty tapas bars to meandering medieval streets, the city offers an ideal location from which to examine the cultural, linguistic, and religious environment of Sevilla, and Spain as a whole. Through the course offerings students will learn Spanish language, understand the religious complexity of a land that has played host to the coexistence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and grasp some of the literature, art, and architecture of Spanish cultural history.