Geography 314D
Field Experience in
Ecuador 2010
January 10 through 26 (tentative dates)
Dr. Dorothy Freidel
Dept. of Geography and Global Studies
Sonoma State University
freidel@sonoma.edu
Syllabus
Field experience is the ultimate learning environment for any subdiscipline in Geography. Travel to Ecuador has been the subject of this Sonoma State field class since 2004. This is a course that is packed with academic learning opportunities in the midst of compelling foreign travel experiences. On the trip, the students are immersed in the entire range of biomes and geomorphic settings, from exotic paramo and volcanic tundra and glaciers of the high Andes and down to the cloud forests and rainforest landscapes of the upper Amazonian jungle. They have the opportunity to interact face to face with diverse indigenous and mestizo cultures of this third world country. They have returned to their American homes transformed by their experience emotionally and intellectually.
This class involves two weeks of travel throughout Ecuador, with a focus on the highlands and jungle of the Oriente. Academic work consists of readings, discussion, and journaling, and a final exam of short essays after we return. Topics range from the physical processes observed in the natural environment, including observation of active volcanoes, calderas, landslides, the biotic formations, and climate, to the social stratification, political activism of the indigenous populations, local versus global economic conflicts between, for example, the desire for oil extraction and deforestation of the pristine rainforests and the threat of habitat loss for both people and threatened species.
Dr. Freidel has led groups of students on this trip every year since 2004. She has extensive experience working and traveling in Central America and Ecuador and is supported by very experienced and safe associates in Ecuador.
Physical requirements:
Non-academic activities include bicycling, rafting, swimming, and other adventures. Each day includes both academic and recreational activities. Students should be physically capable of doing moderately difficult hikes. However students have the right to opt out of any of the recreational activities if they wish. However, to get the most out of the travel experience some hiking is required; some of the academic content is received on the hikes..
Enrollment:
This class is limited to a maximum of 14 students, with usually no more than 12 enrolled. Students should be reasonably fit, able to hike and participate in moderately strenuous activities. If you have a health problem, food allergies, or require a special diet please let Dr. Freidel know so that accommodations can be made. Immunizations are required for travel to this tropical country: check with your family doctor or Kaiser Travel Nurse at least a month before departure. Usually the following immunizations are recommended: typhoid, tetanus, polio, Hep A & B, and yellow fever. Meds to prevent malaria (malarone or another similar medication) and to treat food poisoning (cipro) are recommended. Diamox, for altitude adjustment, may also be taken. We will be staying in Quito, at over 9,000 feet, for the first several days, and will be traveling to over 14,500 feet when we visit Cotopaxi Volcano.
Students will share lodging, most meals will be family style, and travel will be by small but very comfortable tourist bus.
IMPORTANT: Students should discuss the trip with Dr. Freidel before enrolling in the class. She will give a list of students who have permission to enroll to the Extended Education Office. Please contact Dr. Freidel for more information.
Readings:
REQUIRED:
Roos, Wilma and Omer van Renterghem (1997). Ecuador In Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture. Brooklyn, NY: Interlink Books, ISBN1-56656-262-7 (~$15 or less)Each student will also read one additional book on a more specific aspect of Ecuador. See Ecuador Textbooks page.
Grades: Credit/No Credit or Grade
Grades will be given on the basis of the following:
Readings Journal Participation, discussion Final Exam Total Journal:
All students will keep a journal while they are on the trip. Prof Freidel will not read the journals except to check periodically that they are being regularly logged. The journals should include a daily account of experiences, activities, and the students' reflections, ideas about their experiences.Final Exam:
The final exam will be given two weeks after the group returns to the U.S. It will be given as an open book take home essay exam, administered via email. The test will consist of seven short essay prompts, and students will pick five of the prompts to answer. The final question everyone will answer. Grading will be based on assessment of the material observed and absorbed on the trip, analysis of issues discussed on the trip, and evidence of overall extent of synthesis and understanding of the academic aspects of the trip.
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