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The course has two phases: 1) a pre-travel orientation phase on campus to familiarize students with the objectives of the course and to provide background on the relevant topics prior to the travel, and 2) the overseas course phase in Mexico were case studies and field visits will expose students to interactions between Monarch butterflies and modern Mexican culture. Enrollment will be limited to 20 students. The course will be offered every other year beginning in December 2007.
Pre-travel Orientation - Four lectures and two pre-travel orientation meetings will be conducted during fall semester prior to the trip to Mexico. Topics covered include:
- Oct 18* - Monarch biology and ecology; and conservation practices and challenges (Microsoft Powerpoint Presentation)
- Oct 23* - Pre-travel orientation I
- Nov 6* - Introduction to modern Mexico: the people, culture, art, climate, and geography; and the social structure and organization of rural Mexico communities
- Dec 4* - Pre-travel orientation II; identification of student topics
* all meetings will be at 5:30 pm in Smith Hall room 125
Attendance at pre-travel orientations and lectures is mandatory for participants.
Overseas Course
The overseas portion of the course will include an 10-day visit to Mexico from December 28th, 2007 to January 6th, 2008 during the period following Christmas and before the start of Spring semester. There will be wrap-up session on campus during the subsequent Spring semester for students who elect to make presentations instead of submitting journals.
Overseas Course Timeline
Day (Date) |
Topic |
1 (Dec 28) |
Depart Indianapolis and arrival to Mexico |
2 (Dec 29) |
Visit historic/cultural sites in Mexico City |
3 (Dec 30) |
Visit Teotihuacan Pyramids |
4 (Dec 31) |
Visit historic/cultural sites Mexico City New Years Eve in Mexico City |
5 (Jan 1) |
Travel to Angangueo via Metepec |
6 (Jan 2) |
Tour Alternare training center and visit Sierra Chincua sanctuary |
7 (Jan 3) |
Visit El Rosario sanctuary and local logging operation |
8 (Jan 4) |
Visit Cerro Pelon sanctuary and local conservation project |
9 (Jan 5) |
Visit local leaders and conservation educators and return to Mexico City |
10 (Jan 6) |
Return Indianapolis and West Lafayette |
Program Evaluation
Students must keep a journal of daily activities during the field visit. Journals will be periodically reviewed by the instructors during the course. They will also be expected to prepare a report on a topic related to one of the main objectives of the course. Topics should be identified in advance in consultation with the instructors, but can be changed during the actual visit with the consent of the instructors. Students may satisfy this requirement either by submitting a written report on their chosen topic by the end of the first month of the spring semester, or by giving a fifteen-minute presentation during the following spring semester (date and venue to be decided). Graduate students will help mentor and supervise the undergraduate as a professional development activity. They will also be expected to share their experiences in an approved educational outreach activity upon returning to campus. All students will be asked to provide feedback on their general satisfaction with the course as well as more detailed evaluation of individual components of the course.
Responsible Faculty
Professors Steve Yaninek and Jeff Stuart will serve as the course instructors for the inaugural course offering.
Course costs
The estimated cost of the course is $2375 per student which includes airfare, lodging, most meals, insurance, course activities, in-country travel, and accompanying faculty costs (the $1875 estimate in the brochure was based on a 6 day, not a 10 day, visit as proposed here). Scholarships opportunities are often available from your home departments and colleges, the University financial aid office, and Purdue Study Abroad.
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