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 Imagine
your university classroom transforms; the walls become vines, the air
becomes a thick mist, and the ceiling becomes a canopy of rainforest trees...
Let your studies come to life as you participate in the adventure
study of a lifetime!
The course examines the emerging global culture of the late twentieth
and early twenty-first centuries. Those aspects of human culture which
merge human societies --communications, popular cultures, population shifts,
political movements, economic and environmental interdependencies--will
be explored.
The central questions of the course are:
-What are the systemic principles that extend to culture?
-How does the systemic point of view illuminate processes of change?
-How have cultures changed in the twentieth century?
-Is there an emerging global culture and if so, what is it?
-What forces - such as tourism, social movements, and popular culture
- nurture or limit an emerging global culture?
-How can we anticipate future manifestations in global cultures?
-How does the experience of living in a “global culture” affect
both individuals and cultures?
This course is taught from a multidisciplinary perspective, introducing
the systems approach to social science issues. The course is based on
the discipline of anthropology, however, it will integrate sociological,
cybernetic, and historic perspectives. It satisfies requirements for the
Culture and Civilization Advanced General Education, as well as departmental
and program requirements in anthropology and behavioral science.
This anthopological trek will take you through some of Costa Rica's most
enchanting jungles, exciting rivers, and gorgeous beaches!
During your journey, you will trek through the rainforest, do a tree climb,
raft Class III-IV rapids, and even try your skills and luck on a surfboard.
Take this unique educational opportunity to spend time with traditional
Costa Rican families in their homes, and participate in their daily activities
and traditions – including anything from milking cows, harvesting crops,
to making tortillas by hand...
Itinerary
Days: 16
Dates: January 4-19, 2006
 Fly
to San Jose, Costa Rica. Meet your Outward Bound Instructors. Transfer
to CRROBS base camp at Tres Rios for brief, late night orientation.
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 Orientation
and cultural exploration of Costa Rica’s capital and business
hub, San Jose. Students will visit San Jose’s National Museum
(pre-Columbian to present-day) as an introduction to Costa Rica’s
socioeconomic, cultural, and religious history. The museum will be
followed with a trip to the Mercado Central where they will do a structured
participant-observation in the urban market place as it exists in
modern Latin America as well as other sites of cultural and historical
interest. |
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Lecture on The Movement of people, patterns of migration,
push and pull factors
Visit to the Basillica in Cartago to see one of Costa Rica’s
most important religious landmarks. The Basillica will be followed
by a visit and walking tour of coffee plantations and historic sites
in the Orosi Valley (organic plantation) with lecture from Steve
Aaronson, the country's leading expert on sustainable coffee production
and owner of the most well renowned coffee company in Costa Rica..
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 Lecture
topics will include Introduction to economic anthropology; globalization
and production, exchange, and consumption, colonialism and world trade
Guest lectures on the history of agriculture, immigration, and race
relations
Run Costa Rica’s most thrilling rivers on the Caribbean side
(class I-III.) This can be either one day or two days with camping
near the river. Students will then transfer to the Caribbean town
of Limon and will receive guest lectures about the history of agriculture,
immigration, and race relations in this region. En route students
will also visit banana plantations and hear directly from workers
about the positives and negatives of working in a plantation setting.
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Lecture on Newcolonialism
Back at the Tres Rios base camp, students take excursions into
San Pedro and will visit Intel to learn about the
company and its role in Costa Rican economy and society
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 Lectures
will include introduction to technology, views of technology, technology
and development programs, world trade and indigenous peoples, and
introduction to tourism, kinds of tourism.
Students will hike into the rainforest in order to learn more about
Costa Rica’s ecology Costa Rica’s tourism industry,
as well it’s consequences of it’s destruction both for
Costa Rica and the world. As the group treks down into a valley
they will view spectacular rainforest scenery as well as several
waterfalls. The group will travel through several life zones which
are home to many rainforest species including: parrots, parakeets,
toucans and toucanets, birds of prey, ocelots, three species of
monkeys, sloths and even tapirs. While mammals are much less frequently
sighted, many bird species can be seen as well as evidence of mammals
in the form of tracks, scat, and vocalizations. For example, most
groups will hear the call of the mantled howler monkey. In the late
afternoon, the group will arrive at the upper Piedra Blanca village
area.
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Lectures will include introduction to technology, views
of technology, technology and development programs, world trade and
indigenous peoples, and introduction to tourism, kinds of tourism.
Students will continue their visit to the remote village of Piedra
Blanca with lectures offered by community leaders focusing on their
perception of the CRROBS sustainable tourism projects as well as
others within that area. Related subjects include medicinal plant
hike and discussions with a traditional shaman, a sweat-lodge experience,
and discussions with village women regarding family planning. The
latter is an interesting discussion as the older women have families
of 10-18 children whilst the next generation has family sizes of
more like 3-5 children. Students will learn about family planning
and its changing role.
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 Rafting
on the exciting class III river section of the Savegre River. This
river is a gem amongst rafting rivers in Costa Rica and students will
be able to see many village homes along side this river section. Adrenalin
pumping white water fun, this river is 100% adventure. Overnight at
the village of Santo Domingo where the village leader Miguel Seferino
will lead a discussion relating the changing community of Santo Domingo
from primarily agricultural, to agricultural/tourism based economy.
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 Lectures
include global movements in tourism and agriculture, tourism, culture
and environment; Culture change, the local and the global.
Students will transfer to the picturesque beach of Manuel Antonio.
In route to the beach, students will pass through African Oil Palm
plantations (one of Costa Rica’s most lucrative exports.)
Guest lectures presented by foreign nationals about the community
of Silencio, which is run as a cooperative as compared to the many
other company owned towns in the area that are solely owned by the
large multi-national Numar corporation. A visit to an African oil
palm processing plant will also be done en-route to the coast.
At the CRROBS Manuel Antonio Base, students will stay at CRROBS
beach bungalow base. Students will be accompanied by CRROBS surf
instructors and will have the opportunity to surf, boogie board,
and snorkel. Students will also have the opportunity to visit Manuel
Antonio National Park. Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination
of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. It’s beaches are
the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forest. The forest
is home for sloths, iguanas, and squirrel monkeys.
Students will also have the opportunity to hear from several leaders
within the Quepos/Manuel Antonio tourism industry including the
area’s head of the tourism chamber of commerce and/or other
area tourism leaders.
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 Lecture
on Future perspectives.
Transport back to closing ceremonies at Tres Rios base camp. En route,
the group will meet with Don Jose, a Huetar indigenous chief who will
discuss with the group the evolution that he has seen in his community
over the last several years and his perception of how indigenous people
can embrace technology while still maintaining their cultural roots.
Salsa dancing in San Jose at a local dance club as a going away party.
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Returning flights out of San Jose International Airport. |
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