Academic Initiatives Global Engagement Seminars These intensive, credit-bearing seminars are taught off-campus, followed by a required internship or service learning experience. Costa Rica at a Crossroads: Examination of Globalization and Sustainability Costa Rica is held as a model of sustainability and eco-friendly development, with legislation and regulation integral to its success. Yet, globalization is stressing the delicate balance between development and environmental sustainability. This course examines how Costa Rica’s biodiversity, climate, history and politics relate to its changing economies, resource use, conservation practices, and environmental protection. Professors: Gary Lehring (Government) and Amy Rhodes (Geosciences) From Labyrinth to Parthenon: Greek Myth and History in their Geological Context This seminar explores the relationship between the historical and cultural development of Ancient Greece and the underlying geology of the Greek islands (Crete, Santorini, Syros, Delos) and mainland (Athens/Attica, Delphi). The seminar includes visits to key sites and museums to examine the art and archaeology of prehistoric and classical Greece as well as field study of the prominent geological features of each region. Students study first-hand the celebrated monuments and masterpieces of the Minoan, Mycenaean and Classical Greek civilizations, and explore the regions spectacular geological features, which had a dramatic, occasionally catastrophic, impact on the course of these civilizations. Professors: John Brady (Geosciences) and Scott Bradbury (Classics) Jerusalem This seminar explores Jerusalem as a contested sacred and political space. Topics include centrality of the city in the holy texts of three monotheistic religions; representations of Jerusalem in Hebrew, Arabic and Western literature and film; archeology and the built landscape as a prism through which to understand the complicated layering of urban history; and the importance of the city in contemporary Israeli and Palestinian national identity. Professors: Justin Cammy (Jewish Studies) and Donna Divine (Government)
Funding for International Experiences The GSC provides myriad funding opportunities for students seeking international experiences. International Experience Grants (IEGs) The Office for International Study oversees the award of IEGs. These grants provide partial funding ranging from $500 to $3,500 toward study, research, internships, or volunteer projects abroad during J-Term or the summer. In January, OIS awarded 17 grants for independent programs/projects; 9 for Coral Reef Ed-Ventures; and 9 for Tibetan Studies in India. For the summer, 38 grants were awarded for independent programs/projects; 6 for Global Engagement Seminars; 3 for EWHA Womans University Exchange; and 1 for the Japan-America Student Conference (JASC). Total funds awarded amounted to $123,805. (See Appendix D for a description of these special programs.)