Community and May Modules

This year, students will have the option of participating in one of three May Modules that have been approved for Service-Learning credit, thereby fulfilling both their Module and Service-Learning Requirments at the same time. Please contact our office with any questions about the Service-Learning component in any of these modules:

2010 Service-Learning Modules

Urban Education: Pursuing the Dream in America’s Education Desert

In this course, students will be immersed in the urban community including K-12 schools, community organizations, and religious organizations. Course participants will explore how individuals in this community seek to live the American dream through public education and with the support of community and religious organizations, despite their continued status of separate and unequal. Particular attention will be given to several groups in urban schools including low socio-economic, African American, and English language learner students and their families. This course will satisfy the requirements as set forth in the Trek Experience for Service-Learning or Intercultural credit.

Course Number: EDUC 199KS
Date: May 10-23, 2010
Instructor: Dr. Karen Soul
Enrollment Limit: 16
Location: Shreveport, LA
Travel Cost: N/A
Tuition: $810

Tropical Biology

The course will be an analysis of the fauna and flora on a 150 acre finca. It is a working dairy farm surrounded on two of the three sides by a tropical dry forest. The students collect samples of the fauna or flora on the finca and catalog the collection. A special attempt will be made to learn about the natural history of several species to include in the database. In the spirit of Gaviotis, students will participate in sustainable development projects based on methane generation, solar energy, or other projects. Lectures on the characteristics and formation of Mesoamerica and Nicaragua will be given. The Holdridge Life Zone System and its application to the tropical dry forest will be an important biological focus. Techniques for the collection, care and preparation of specimens will be taught and used during the module. Trips to several points of interest will be made during the 15 days of the module. Among these will be trips to Granada, Masaya and to a fishing port, La Boquita. Other trips will be to points of biological interests: e.g., Lago Nicaragua.

Course Number: BIOL 199SC
Dates: TBA
Instructor: Dr. Scott Chirhart
Enrollment Limit: 10
Location: Nicaragua
Travel cost: $1,950
Tuition (billed separately): $810

Religions of Northern India

Students will explore the major religious traditions of Northern India, with special attention granted to the traditions and teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. Objectives: 1. To study Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and Islam in the socio-cultural context of Northern India 2. To study Tibetan Buddhism under several high lamas (Rinpoches) 3. To visit the major temples and shrines of these religious traditions, including the Taj Mahal 4. To establish an email relationship with a Tibetan nun or monk two months prior to departure and spend significant face-to-face time with their email partner while in Dharamsala, India* 5. To provide students an optional opportunity to fulfill their Service- Learning requirement while in Dharamsala.

Course Number: REL 199DO
Dates: May 11-June 7,2010
Instructor: Dr. David Otto
Enrollment Limit: 20
Location: India
Travel cost: $3,000
Tuition (billed separately): $810