HR: 0830h
AN: ED21B-1210    [PDF]
TI: A New Antarctic Field Course for Undergraduates at Michigan State University
AU: * Tweedie, C E
EM: tweedie@msu.edu
AF: Arctic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology, 100 North Kedzie Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 United States
AU: Hesse, J
EM: hessej@pilot.msu.edu
AF: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 101 Wills House, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 United States
AU: Hollister, R D
EM: holliste@msu.edu
AF: Arctic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology, 100 North Kedzie Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 United States
AU: Roberts, P
EM: robertsh@msu.edu
AF: Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources Education and Communication Systems, 102 Agriculture Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 United States
AU: Wilson, J
EM: jkins@ozemail.com.au
AF: Antarctic Travel Planning Consultant, 13 Aldinga Place, Mooloolaba, Qld 4557 Australia
AU: Wilson, M I
EM: wilsonmm@msu.edu
AF: Department of Geography, 321 Berkey Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 United States
AU: Webber, P J
EM: webber@msu.edu
AF: Arctic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology, 100 North Kedzie Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 United States
AB: Field courses in remote and extreme environments immerse students in new and unfamiliar cultural and environmental settings where the impact from learning is high and the conventional wisdom, mindsets, and life skills of students are challenged. Through the Office of Study Abroad at Michigan State University (MSU), a new field course for undergraduates entitled `Studies in Antarctic System Science' embraces these principles. The three week, 6 credit course will be convened for the first time during the 2003-04 austral summer and will feature field based activities and classroom sessions beginning in Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina. The defining experience of the program will be a cruise of the Antarctic Peninsula on a tourist ship partnered to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO). This cruise will include landings on a daily basis at various sites of interest and international research stations en route. In 2003-04, the course will comprise 20 students and three faculty members from MSU. The non-major course curriculum has been compiled from materials based on original research by program faculty, relevant literature, information obtained directly from the international research community, and the Antarctic tourist industry. Subject areas will span multiple disciplines including palaeohistory and ecology, oceanography, climatology, geology and glaciology, marine, terrestrial and aerobiology, early exploration, policy and management, and the potential impacts from climate change and humans. It is intended that the course be repeated on an annual basis and that the curriculum be expanded to include greater coverage of ongoing research activities, especially NSF funded research. We welcome contact and feedback from educators and scientists interested in this endeavor, especially those who would like to broaden the impact of their own education interests or research by offering materials that could enhance the curriculum of the course and/or create opportunities for collaboration.
UR: http://www.cevl.msu.edu/ael/projects/antarctica.html
DE: 1600 GLOBAL CHANGE (New category)
DE: 6605 Education
DE: 9310 Antarctica
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting