LAS short-term study abroad programs

March 14-24, 2019

ECON 199
3 credits (first half spring 2019 course

On-campus class meetings: Weekly class meetings on campus during the first half of spring semester.

Estimated program fees: $2,800 to $3,350 (Includes international round-trip airfare, housing with host families, most meals, orientation programs, program excursions, international health insurance, and administrative fees.)

Course description: Study innovation and entrepreneurship with Professor Joseph Petry in one of Latin America's greatest countries, Costa Rica. Learn firsthand about the Latin American market, culture, and economy through visits to start-ups, meetings with business leaders, academics and social entrepreneurs.

Learn more about previous faculty-led economics courses abroad.

March 14-24, 2019

PS 199
3 credits (first half spring 2019 course)

On-campus class meetings: Weekly class meetings on campus during the first half of spring semester.

Estimated program fees: $3,800-$4,100 (Includes international round-trip airfare, housing in hotels, most meals, orientation programs, excursions, and international health insurance, and administrative fees)

Course description: Join Professor Sin in her native Argentina for an in-depth look at the history and politics of human rights in Argentine society. This course explores current problems and trends in the transition to democracy such as the re-emergence of populism, economic instability, and poverty. The seminar combines class lectures and discussions, cultural immersion, and considerable on-the-ground interaction with scholars, activists, and politicians in and around Buenos Aires.

Dates abroad: Jan. 2-11, 2019

ECON 199
3 credits

On-campus class meetings: Mandatory class meetings leading up to the winter break trip are scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, Tuesday, Dec. 4, and Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Estimated program fees: $3,500 to $4,000 (includes international airfare, local transportation, housing, some meals, orientation, and program excursions)

Course description: Join Professor Joe Petry for an immersive course on economics and business enterprises in Colombia. Colombia has quickly become a growing business capital and one of the most important economies in Latin America.

This course will immerse students in the business culture of Bogotá and introduce students to the country's start-up capital, Medellin. Students will meet with business leaders and government officials as well as local university students. This course is designed to show students how to apply the learning that has been done in the classroom to the real world of business and economics within a global context.

This course and study abroad experience is most relevant to students in the fields of: economics, agricultural and consumer economics, global studies, business, political science, general studies, and other students interested in economics and Latin America. There are no prerequisites for this course, but it is recommended students have introductory knowledge in either microeconomics or macroeconomics.

Learn more about previous faculty-led economics courses abroad.

Dates abroad: Dec. 29, 2018 to Jan. 11, 2019

CLCV 220
3 credits

On-campus class meetings: Four weekly class meetings during the second half of the fall semester.

Estimated program fees: $3,755 to $4,450 (includes international airfare, local transportation, housing, excursions, and on-site organization in Athens)

Course description: In this course, we will examine the development of warfare in ancient Greece from the Bronze Age to the rise of Macedon. Students will master the 'nuts and bolts' of Greek warfare including weaponry, tactics, and technological innovations; but we will also examine the effects of near-constant fighting on the social fabric of ancient Greece. Particular attention will be given to communal responses to the grief and loss inherent to war, and the tension between Greece's warrior ethos and the realities of combat. The course will be divided into two parts: the first part will meet four times on-campus at Illinois during the second half of the fall semester, and the second part will convene in Athens for about 13 days in December and January. Students will learn basic facts and background narratives in Illinois as well as a methodological framework for approaching war as an academic topic; in Greece they will put these lessons to the test by visiting archaeological sites and museums pertaining to the main themes of the course.

Dates abroad: Dec. 26, 2018 to Jan. 13, 2019

ANTH 390
3 or 4 credits

On-campus class meetings: Mandatory once per week class meetings during the first half of the spring 2019 semester.

Estimated program fees: $3,050 to $3,275 (includes international airfare, local transportation, housing, all meals, orientation, and program excursions)

Course description: During our stay at La Suerte Biological Research Station, students will be engage in five major educational activities:

1. Observing and collecting data on the ecology and behavior of mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) and white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) in fragmented forests. We will analyze these data as part of a group project to compare with published studies of these same monkey species in areas of intact or continuous forest.
2. Conducting a census of the type of trash (discarded plastic, glass bottles, and other non-biodegradable materials) present in two nearby towns (La PrimaVera and Cariari) with the goal of identifying the manufacturers of these products.
3. Working in groups to develop an effective strategy to use social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and more) to promote a public awareness campaign that informs companies of the environmental hazards of their products.
4. We will collect all non-paper student garbage during the course generated during the course in order to quantify our own impact on the environment.
5. We will collect garbage generated by La Suerte Biological Research Station and develop a set of conservation recommendations for the field station to reduce their footprint on the environment.

This course explores themes of anthropology, sustainability, environmental science, and community ecology.

Dates abroad: Jan. 1-12, 2019

GLBL 298
3 credits

On-campus class meetings: Three weekly class meetings during the second half of the fall 2018 semester and three class meetings during the first half of the spring 2019 semester

Estimated program fees: $4,343 to $4,483 (includes international round-trip airfare, airfare in Peru, local transportation, housing, some meals in Peru, orientation, and program excursions)

Course description: Join professor Helaine Silverman on this thrilling exploration of the heartland of the ancient Inca Empire. See its heritage expressed by the descendants of that great Andean society. Visit spectacular Inca ruins, including the renowned lost city of Machu Picchu. Travel on one of the most scenic train rides in the world. See the beautiful colonial churches built by the Spanish conquerors in Cuzco, the former Inca capital and today the epicenter of global tourism. Learn about the politics and policies of tourism and heritage management that promote economic development in this stunning highland region. Sample the delicious cuisine of Peru, which has achieved global acclaim. Stay in unique hotels. Participate in many interactions with local people. Finish the trip with two fascinating days in Peru's capital city, Lima, where we continue our time-travel through the heritage and economic development of the pre-Columbian colonial and modern city. Enjoy a special tour of the UNESCO designated historic center of Lima and a full day at a restored hacienda.

Dates abroad: Dec. 27, 2018 to Jan. 12, 2019

GLBL 499/ACE 499
3 credits

On-campus class meetings: Weekly class meetings during the second half of the fall semester.

Estimated program fees: $4,500 (includes international airfare, local transportation, housing, meals, excursions, and on-site organization in Sierra Leone)

Course description: Join Professor Paul McNamara and his colleagues for an immersive exploration of international development, sub-Saharan African history, cross-cultural communication, agricultural economics, and post-conflict resolution in Sierra Leone.

Students will begin their tour of Sierra Leone in Freetown, where they will visit with McNamara's colleagues who are working in the international development arena. The students will then travel to Tiwai Island, a community-based conservation area, where they will learn about ecotourism and wildlife ecology. Students then travel to Njala University, to participate in a problem-based project. This will be the fifth year for this program. Each year, students participate in a different service-learning project (for example, farmer-to-farmer video production). Illinois students will partner with Njala students enrolled in Njala's Agribusiness Honors program, working together in teams to meet a simple but real project goal and may present their work to the Njala community. The program concludes with a visit to River No. 2 Community-owned Beach Resort where students will learn about community-based development.

On this program, you will broaden your understandings of history, culture, and development of Sierra Leone and West Africa through participation in a collaborative project with Njala students. You will observe agricultural projects, speak with policy makers and development leaders, visit ecotourism sites like community-managed beaches and jungle reserves, and learn from our local colleagues at Njala University.