Maymester Abroad/Off-Campus
2010 Summer Sessions at Vanderbilt
Summer Sessions

FOR SUMMER 2010, VANDERBILT IS OFFERING EXCITING MAYMESTERS AND SUMMER COURSES OFF-CAMPUS AND ABROAD.

Maymesters offer innovative and intensive academic experiences. Maymesters, whether on- or off-campus, allow students to explore topics often only available in summer and in ways that go beyond the traditional classroom setting. For many students, participating in Maymester becomes an adventure in learning.

Students interested in applying to one of the following courses must do so before February 12th. All application material, including the essay, recommendation letters and $50 GEO application fee should be submitted by February 12th.

The following off-campus Maymester and summer courses are offered:

 

» Applications for Washington D.C. and Hawaiian Island are available here PDF

» All other Maymesters, apply here

Once students have been accepted into a Maymester course, they will confirm their acceptance with a $500 deposit, which will be credited toward their program fees.

For questions related to any of the Maymesters listed above, please consult the professor for the course. You may also consult with Dr. Martin Rapisarda, A&S Dean for Summer Sessions, 311 Kirkland Hall, and with the GEO staff in the Student Life Center for additional information.

A new program at Vanderbilt will provide scholarships to help undergraduate students pay the costs of studying abroad during the summer, including the Maymesters listed above. The Global Summer Fellows Program will provide university stipends that can be used to offset the costs for students enrolling in Vanderbilt-approved, credit-bearing summer study and Maymester programs.

Maymester and on-line scholarship applications are available here and additional information can be found at www.vanderbilt.edu/geo.

In addition, the London Maymesters offer an optional internship and service learning opportunity in June and July for those students wishing to maximize their experience and time. Details are available below.

FYI: THE FEBRUARY 12TH DEADLINE IS ONLY FOR OFF-CAMPUS AND ABROAD MAYMESTERS. ON-LINE COURSE REGISTRATION FOR ON-CAMPUS MAYMESTER AND SUMMER COURSES WILL BE HELD FROM MARCH 29–APRIL 21.

 

RELIGIOUS STUDIES 294: RELIGION AND CULTURE IN EGYPT

LECTURER: SHERIF BARSOUM, DIRECTOR, ISSS

Egypt, the center of the Arab world, has the largest Arab Muslim population as well as the largest Christian minority in the Arab world. This course offers an experiential and insightful exploration of the religious aspect of Egypt. The first week of the course is spent on Vanderbilt’s campus, with daily lectures about the intersection of religion and culture in society, followed by 3 weeks in Egypt touring and visiting sites while keeping a daily journal. Emphasis is placed on historical and modern Islam and Christianity in Egypt and how religion is ingrained in the fabric of society. Students will visit numerous sites while in Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm El Sheikh and Luxor including religious sites such as a 6th century Jewish Temple, a 7th century church and a 14th century Mosque; and historic sites such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Alexandria Library, Mount Sinai, and the Sphinx. They will experience a 3-day Nile River cruise, have dinner with the Bedouins in the desert, and snorkel in the Red Sea. Students are expected to submit an 8-10 page paper within two weeks after their return to the US.

ELIGIBILITY: The program is open to all majors with good academic standing, and with consent of instructor.

FEES: Cost per student is approximately $7000. Fees include tuition, 5-star hotels with buffet breakfast each day, Visa to Egypt, 3-day Nile cruise, some meals, entrance fees to all museums and parks, air conditioned bus, English speaking tour guides, and health insurance. Fees do not include: roundtrip airfare to and from Egypt, extra curricular activities such as snorkeling, horseback riding, baggage insurance most meals and tips to drivers and tour guides. A common itinerary will be developed for each student to facilitate group travel. Recommended amount of personal or spending money for the 3-week period is $800.

DATES: on campus, May 10-14, and abroad, May 15-June 2.

CREDITS: 3 credit hours

SYLLABUS:   pdf Egypt Maymester Religious Studies 294 Syllabus

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: sherif.barsoum@vanderbilt.edu

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EUROPEAN STUDIES 260: BERLIN 2010: HISTORY AND CULTURE

DR. HENNING GRUNWALD, DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

Berlin is a bustling, multi-ethnic, ever-changing modern metropolis. Since 1989, when the Iron Curtain came crashing down, it has reinvented itself as capital of unified Germany, as lynchpin in the political landscape of the EU and as a center of gravity in European arts, media and letters. It is the natural gateway to Eastern Europe and a cultural magnet teeming with cosmopolitan talent from all over the world.

But Berlin is also a living history book, deeply imprinted with the traces and scars of the turbulent events of 20th century German history. Prussian grandeur and Wilhelmine hubris, Weimar's endeavoring spirit of innovation, Nazi monumentalism and finally the ideological contest of East and West Berlin are richly documented in museums and architecture and to this day inform the city's daily life.

Together we will explore the history, culture and present of this unique metropolis. The focus of the first half of the course is historical, with special emphasis on the twisted path through the twentieth century, the traces, scars and triumphs of which are evident throughout Berlin. The second half will be devoted to contemporary Berlin: political life, both as capital of unified Germany and as metropolis in the heart of Europe (Prague, Warsaw, Budapest, Zurich are within an hour's flight time, Brussels, Paris, Rome, London, Barcelona and Madrid within two hours), its pioneering theater, dance and multi-media art, its efforts to re-invent itself as a capital of the knowledge- and technology-based ‘new economy’.

FORMAT: Three to five hours of classroom contact per day. Each week will include at least one field trip outside the city, as well as site-visits in Berlin, facilitated by the central location of teaching and living facilities as well as by Berlin's excellent public transport network. In addition to the required readings, active participation in class discussions and site visits, students do group presentations and an independent research project. Lectures, readings and instruction are in English.

ACCOMMODATION: Pension Marie, Schivelbeiner Strasse, self-catered apartments (shared double bedrooms in 2-4 person units), each with kitchen facilities. Receptionist on-site during business hours. Clean, simple, safe and right in the middle of bustling Prenzlauer Berg district. Excellent public transport connections (U-Bahn and Tram within 5 minutes walk).

INSTRUCTOR: Henning Grunwald is DAAD Visiting Assistant Professor of History, a five-year appointment co-funded by Vanderbilt University and the German government. Professor Grunwald, a specialist in 20th century German history, has received his doctorate from the University of Cambridge and has lived in Berlin for seven years, as a researcher at the Institute for Theater Studies at Freie Universität and as Assistant to the President of Humboldt-Universität. Students will benefit from his in-depth knowledge of the city and his excellent relations to universities, cultural institutions and politics.

DATES: May 9 – May 30, 2009 in Berlin

FEES: Total cost: approximately $6400. Included: tuition, housing, health insurance, excursion to Leipzig, and ground transportation. It does not include most meals, incidental expenses, and airfare.

CREDITS: 3 credit hours - EUS 260 is listed as International Cultures credit in AXLE.

SYLLABUS:   pdf Berlin Maymester Syllabus

MORE INFORMATION: Visit: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/historydept/grunwald/;
Consult: Professor Grunwald in 246 Buttrick; E-mail: henning.grunwald@vanderbilt.edu

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ENGLISH 272: MONTREAL: ARTS CULTURE AND SOCIETY

PROFESSOR BOB BARSKY, DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

“From ‘Criminal’ Montreal to Social Justice: Law, Literature, Dance and Music in America’s ‘Paradise’”
Throughout this century, Montréal has also been variously described as a “paradise,” a “den of iniquity,” or a “city of ill-repute” which was run by local mafias and criminals. This is the city where jazz exploded due to the unlikely combination of railway porters and prohibition in the United States, leading Montréal to become the very seat of jazz for a period in the 1930s and 40s (and every summer it plays host to the world’s largest jazz festival). Alongside the jazz came an appetite for late nights, good food, and a general hedonism that inevitably came up against the heavy conservatism of the Quebec Church. It’s not surprising, therefore, that Montreal was the site of a “quiet revolution” in the 1960s, inspired by the artwork of Borduas and signatories of the “Global Refusal,” a manifesto of modern art, as well as a more vocal upheaval by the “Liberation Front of Quebec in the 1960s and 70s. From this perspective it is also not surprising that Montreal has become a key international center for work in Social Justice.

Today, Montréal is a place of avant-garde art, notably in dance and performance arts, and it is a place in which experimental film, visual arts and creative work emanate from a whole range of sectors and cartiers. It’s home to Rufus and Martha Wainright, to La La La Human Steps, to Oxygène, the Cirque de Soleil, and a remarkable Anglophone and Francophone mixture of cultures, traditions and histories. Montréal is another “America” which combines historical populations of Jews and Catholics with emerging communities from around the world in a “multicultural” framework, contributing to the government and local imperative of communities from around the world in a “multicultural” framework, contributing to the government and local imperative of promulgating work in social justice from an original set of perspectives. In the course of our pre-departure discussions at Vanderbilt, we shall examine texts, films and other media, and then situate them within the fascinating context of this vibrant crossroads between Europe, Canada and the United States. With texts in hand, for continued consultation, Professor Barsky will in the third week bring students in this course to live in downtown Montreal, where they will be introduced to a city which once dominated the entire Eastern seaboard of North America all the way down to Louisiana. Students will be treated to discussions with key players in the cultural and justice scenes, as well as cultural events that will provide a hands-on understanding of the subjects discussed. All transportation to and within Montreal is included in the cost of the course, as are tickets to cultural events and happenings throughout the city.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Keep a journal of activities and thoughts about what is seen and learned about Montreal prior to and during the trip. One oral presentation based upon the journal.

DATES: May 18 – May 29, 2009

FEES: Extra fee for program and living expenses is added to the tuition fee. Approximate cost for tuition, health insurance, airfare for which a common itinerary will be developed and cultural excursions and expenses in Montreal is for 2010, $5800. Fee does not include most meals and incidental expenses.

ELIGIBILITY: The program is open to all majors with good academic standing, and with consent of instructor. English 272 is listed as Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA) credit in AXLE.

CREDITS: 3 credit hours

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: robert.barsky@vanderbilt.edu

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BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 290 01: Biodiversity and Conservation of the Hawaiian Islands

LECTURER: DR. AMANDA BENSON, SENIOR LECTURER, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

One of the most unique and fragile ecosystems is that of the Hawaiian Islands. These islands are among the most isolated areas on Earth and are considered a priority conservation “Hot Spot” of the world. They have unique
tropical rainforests and coral reefs supporting over 6000 endemic species of plants and animals. To study the basic principles of biodiversity and conservation biology, we will use cases based on the Hawaiian Islands. The course will begin at Vanderbilt on May 10th to May 21st, studying four main aspects of biodiversity: evolution of biodiversity, distribution of species and habitats, threats, and conservation efforts. Then the students will make their way to these fascinating islands on May 24th. There, they will experience the wonders of these ecosystems first hand and learn about the biodiversity and efforts to conserve these treasures. This will include hiking the lush cloud, mountainous and lowland rainforests, paddling Hule’ia National Wildlife Refuge, and snorkeling the coral reefs. We will concentrate on two conservation priorities: species and ecosystem. The Hawaiian trip will conclude on June 6th.

WEBSITE: http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/biosci/undergrad/hawaii10

FEES: Extra fee for travel and living expenses is added to the tuition fee. Approximate cost for tuition, lodging, entrance fees and excursions, some meals health insurance, and most expenses in Hawaii is for 2010 - $7800. Fee
does not include airfare to Hawaii, campus housing during the Vanderbilt segment of the course, baggage insurance, and some meals.

ELIGIBILITY: The program is open to all majors with good academic standing, and with consent of instructor.

CREDITS: 3 credit hours. BSCI 290 is listed as MNS credit for AXLE, and Biology majors are given lab credit.

DATES: May 10-21 on campus at Vanderbilt. Arrive in Hawaii on May 24th. Course concludes on June 6.

SYLLABUS:   pdf Syllabus 2010 Hawaii.pdf

APPLICATION:  pdf Application for BSCI 290: hawaiian Islands

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: Dr.benson@vanderbilt.edu

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EUROPEAN STUDIES 260 02: St. Petersburg, Russia

PROFESSOR: Konstantin Kustanovich

The course will cover the history of politics and culture in this city with an emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries. The students will have regular classes supplemented with excursions to tsars' palaces and the Revolution headquarters; to the Peter and Paul Fortress where many revolutionaries were incarcerated and where all Russian tsars from Peter the Great on are entombed; to one of the world greatest museums The Hermitage; to places where Pushkin and Dostoevsky lived and their immortal characters roamed. We will also travel to Moscow and visit the Kremlin and Lenin's Tomb, Tretyakov Museum of Russian art, Novodevichy Cemetery, where the most important figures in Russian history are buried, and ride on the famous Moscow metro. We'll take another trip to the ancient Russian city of Novgorod, visit the museum of wooden architecture, churches and monasteries. Students will also have classes on and be able to observe first-hand today's Russian culture including music, arts, and the famous Russian ballet.

DATES: May 10-12 at Vanderbilt; May 13- departure for Russia; May 14-June 2 in Russia; June 3- departure from Russia

FEES: Total cost: approximately $6200. Included: tuition, housing, health insurance, visits to museums and theatres in St. Petersburg, excursions to Moscow and Novgorod, and ground transportation. It does not include most meals, incidental expenses, and airfare.

CREDITS: 3 credit hours - EUS 260 is listed as International Cultures credit in AXLE.

MORE INFORMATION: Information will be updated on Vanderbilt Russian site: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/russian/maymesterinrussia

pdf Maymester St. Petersburg flyer.pdf

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HISTORY 292: CIVIC ACTIVISM, LEADERSHIP, AND CITIZENSHIP IN RECENT AMERICAN HISTORY

LECTURER: MARK DALHOUSE, DIRECTOR, OACS

This course is a collaborative effort between the Department of History, the Office of Active Citizenship and Service, and the Vanderbilt Office of Federal Relations to offer a credit-bearing seminar course that examines political leadership and citizen service within the context of recent American history and current events in American life. Meeting daily at the Vanderbilt Office of Federal Relations, History 292 offers students the opportunity to debate and discuss the current state of American life and politics using primary readings, contemporary news accounts, and discussions with policy makers, journalists and educators.

FEES: Cost will be approximately $5900 for tuition, in DC transportation, and lodging during the course. Meals in Washington and travel to Washington plus the cost of meals and housing in Nashville are not included.

DATES in DC: May 9-June 4, 2010

ELIGIBILITY: The program is open to all majors with good academic standing, and with consent of instructor. History 292 is listed as History and Culture of the United States (US) credit in AXLE.

CREDITS: 3 credit hours

SYLLABUS:   pdf Washington Maymester Syllabus.pdf

APPLICATION:  pdf Application for HIST 294: DC Maymester

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: Mark.t.dalhouse@vanderbilt.edu

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CLAS 241: UNCOVERING GREEK RELIGION: CULTS. SANCTUARIES, AND FESTIVALS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD

PROFESSOR: BARBARA TSAKIRGIS, CHAIR & ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CLASSICAL STUDIES

From philosophical ideals to art and architecture, the ancient Greeks have left a deep imprint on our society. Even Christian religion, which has come to be a dominant force in the western world, had humble beginnings among the competing religious cults of the first-century Mediterranean. This course surveys the basic elements of Greek religion, including deities, cults, sanctuaries, festivals, and votive dedications. Join us to explore the ancient temples of Greece, the spectacular remains of classical Athens, and walk in the footsteps of the apostle Paul as we study the complex social interactions of Greeks, Romans, Jews, and Christians. Highlights include the colossal citadel of the hero Agamemnon at Mycenae, the Acropolis and Agora in Athens, ancient Corinth, the oracle of Apollo at Delphi, the theater and healing sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidauros, and the site of the original Olympic games.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Active and informed participation is essential; students will also keep a detailed journal, give presentations, and complete a course project.

ELIGIBILITY: The program is open to all majors with good academic standing, and with consent of instructor.

FEES: Approx $7,600. Fees include tuition, transportation and hotels for course-related travel within Greece, daily breakfast, and entrance fees to sites and museums. Fees do not include airfare to Greece, most meals, or expenses for personal travel (e.g., travel on free weekends).

CREDITS: 3 credit hours. CLAS 241 is listed as International Cultures (INT) credit in AXLE.

DATES in Greece: May 10-June 5, 2010.
Complete syllabus and itinerary available here.

SYLLABUS:   pdf Greek Religion Maymester Syllabus.pdf

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: Barbara.tsakirgis@vanderbilt.edu

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CLAS 242: SUMMER ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION IN KENCHREAI, GREECE

PROFESSOR: JOSEPH RIFE, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CLASSICAL STUDIES

This course introduces students to the archaeology, history and culture of Greece by working and living at the ancient city of Corinth in the summer. Students participate in an archaeological field school at the site of Kenchreai, visit sites and museums in the larger region, attend seminars, and experience life in a small village. The Kenchreai Excavations, directed by Professor Rife under the auspices of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and in conjunction with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, provide a unique opportunity for students at the introductory level to join in a major interdisciplinary research program overseas. This program also gives a rare chance for students to live and to learn in one of the most archaeologically rich, historically important, and naturally beautiful regions in Greece. Students learn not only about the practice of archaeological field research in Greece, but also about Greek history and culture from ancient to modern times. This course focuses on southern Greece during the Roman Empire and Late Antiquity, a period of prosperity and diversity at Kenchreai and in its broader area. Students will also explore cultural and historical developments that influenced other regions and longer periods, from the Bronze Age to the Early Modern era, including religion and cult-practice, art and iconography, settlement and the environment, and the construction of identity.

Learning Objectives:

  • To gain practical experience in excavation and processing techniques
  • To build appreciation for and understanding of interdisciplinary research
  • To develop a basic knowledge of the variety of ancient Greek material culture
  • To learn about long-term developments in Greek history and culture
  • To gain understanding of and respect for modern society and culture in Greece

ELIGIBILITY: The program is open to all majors with good academic standing, and with consent of instructor. CLAS 242 is listed as International Culture (INT) credit in AXLE.

DATES (proposed): ca. June 6- July 4 (25-30 days)

FEES: Approximately $7200. Fees include tuition, transportation and lodging for course-related travel within Greece, health insurance, and most meals. Fees do not include airfare to Greece, some meals, or expenses for personal travel (e.g., travel on free weekends).

CREDITS: 3 credit hours

SYLLABUS:   pdf Kenchrai Greece Syllabus.pdf

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: joseph.l.rife@vanderbilt.edu

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AS 236: EXPLORING CHINA: BUSINESS, CULTURE AND LANGUAGE

DR. XIANMIN LIU, SENIOR LECTURER, EAST ASIAN STUDIES

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Exploring China (EC) is a 3-credit, 4-week summer course offered by Vanderbilt University’s Asian Studies Program in the cities of Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, China. The course is designed to provide students with immediate, first-hand experience of China’s dynamic society and expanding economy, while also providing students with an opportunity to develop their Chinese language skills through interacting with local people from different walks of life. No background in Chinese is required.

This course consists of three components: (1) Lectures/Seminars on diverse topics including Chinese economics, globalization, US- China relations by Chinese and American scholars and professionals; (2) discussions/debates on economic, social-cultural issues with Chinese college students, visits/field trips to a range of cultural sites as well as local/international businesses/institutions; (3) language training and language practicum that extend beyond the classroom to everyday life settings. Students learn survival/business Chinese through actually communicating and doing business with local peoples and gain insight into Chinese busines culture.

1. Chinese for the Real World
Students will learn Chinese primarily through language practicum, that is, through business-oriented communication/interaction. Classes will take place in real world settings. Daily lessons will be tied to excursions/visits and/or current affairs. Students with prior knowledge of Chinese will also greatly benefit from this course with texts and activities appropriate to their language proficiency level. Different levels of classes will be offered: based on studetn's proficiency.

2. Lecuture/Issue Discussion/Field Trip
Students will spend 1.5 hours in the afternoon attending lectures (in English), and participating in discussions/debates with students from the host University. Topics will include current social, political and economic issues concerning China and the world. Trips in Beijing will include world-famous sites such as the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. Students will also visit a local manufacturer, a rural community, an ultra modern art gallery, and a traditional Chinese hospital that specializes in alternative medicine.

Weekend excursions in Beijing will include world-famous sites such as the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square.

During the course students will visit Xi'an, the ancient capital that witnessed the rise and fall of thirteen dynasties and is also the site of the Qin dynasty Terracotta warriors.

The program will spend five days in Shanghai, China's commercial capital (the New York City of China). Students will visit Pudong–China's financial and commercial hub, the beautiful Tuyuan Garden and Old City. Students will have opportunities to view local/multinational companies, and to talk with Vanderbilt alumni living and working in Shanghai. This year's participants will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience because they will be able to witness the historical World Expositions 2010 in Shanghai, a grand international gathering with galleries of human inspirations and innovative ideas.

Students are expected to consolidate what they have learned inside and outside the classroom to produce a five-page paper in English at the end of the program.

FEES: Approximately $7800 for the China Maymester. Fees include tuition, transportation and lodging for course-related travel within China, health insurance, and some meals. Fees do not include airfare to China, most meals, or expenses for personal travel (e.g., travel on free weekends. EAS 236 fulfills one of the INT requirements for AXLE.

DATES in China: 27 May – 21 June

CREDITS: 3 credit hours

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: xianmin.liu@vanderbilt.edu or call 343-7824.

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EDUC 2550/3550: MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION

FLED 2960/3900: SPANISH FOR TEACHERS
DR. LISA PRAY

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students attend classes Monday-Friday from 8:00-2:00 at our host university. Half the time will be spent in the multicultural Education class taught by Dr. Pray and the other half of the time will be spent in the Spanish for Teachers class taught by an instructor from Mexico. The Spanish for Teachers course will be designed by you and the university supervisor. Depending on your level of Spanish proficiency you will take grammar, conversation, Mexican history, Latin-American literature, music classes, or other classes. In connection with the multicultural education class, we will have field experiences in bilingual schools and do some weekend service work with a local NGO that serves the poor indigenous communities around Cuernavaca.

Two Vanderbilt courses will be offered:

  • EDUC 2550/3550 Multicultural Education (3Cr)
  • FLED 2960/3900 Spanish for Teachers (3Cr)

STUDENT LIFE: After school, students go to their Mexican homes and enjoy a large afternoon meal with their family (comida), after which they can return to the university for afternoon classes (salsa, yoga, club amigo, etc), study, or visit some of the local museums. Each weekend we take a formal excursion to areas outside Cuernavaca and as a group we will also take informal, optional visits to areas that are easy to reach using public transportation within and outside Cuernavaca.

HOUSING: Students will live with local families to better experience the culture. Three meals per day will be provided while with host families.

LOCATION: The program takes place in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

CREDITS: 3 credit hours

APPLICATION: ELL Cuernavaca Application

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: lisa.pray@Vanderbilt.Edu or call (615) 343-7824.

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FLED 2960/3900: Spanish for Teachers

Course description in progress. Please check back for complete details.

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HART 235: Modern Art and Architecture in Paris

Instructor: Leonard Folgarait
Department: History of Art

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Paris was the center of western modern art movements throughout the 19th century and until the mid-20th century. The major styles of painting, sculpture, architecture and various other media of this period were developed in this city. Paris became the exemplary modern city in western Europe, and developed an extensive infrastructure of cultural institutions such as art academies, private galleries, and vast museums. The major movements of this period were represented by artists such as: David; Ingres; Delacroix; Courbet; Manet; Monet and the other Impressionists; the post-Impressionists Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin and Seurat; the Cubists Picasso and Braque. This list includes members of the Dada and Surrealist groups, leading into more international movements of radical abstraction, performance art, conceptual art, and post-modernism by the late 20th century.

In the field of city planning, Paris led the development of urban modernization in western Europe in the second half of the nineteenth-century with a vast reconstruction project that produced the central sections of Paris that we know today.

The architecture of Paris in these two centuries has also set the standard for modernist styles, which includes the industrial aesthetic of both the Eiffel Tower and the Centre Pompidou, the gleaming glass pyramids of I.M Pei’s design for the Louvre, and the stark minimalism of the National Library. Alongside such modernist examples one finds the opulent Paris Opera building and the dramatic redesign of the d’Orsay Train Station into the d’Orsay Museum.

This course will be conducted for the first two weeks at Vanderbilt (May 10-20), where lectures and discussion will prepare students for the in-person experiences of studying art and architecture in Paris. There will be a midterm at the end of these first two weeks.
The next two weeks (May 24-June 4) will be spent touring sites in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée Picasso, two opera houses, a major department store, public parks, and the Centre Pompidou. Students will write two 5-page interpretive papers on artworks or architecture located in Paris, as exercises in first-hand analysis. The midterm exam is worth 40% of the final grade, while each 5-page paper is worth 30%.

CREDITS: 3 credits

DATES: May 10 - June 6
DATES IN PARIS: May 24 - June 4

FEES: Total cost: Approximately $6300. Included: tuition, housing, health insurance, ground transportation, and some meals. It does not include airfare, most meals, optional tours and incidental expenses.

SYLLABUS:   pdf Paris Maymester Syllabus.pdf

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: leonard.folgarait@vanderbilt.edu

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SPAN: 202
SPANISH FOR ORAL COMMUNICATION THROUGH CULTURAL TOPICS in Spain

PROFESOR: JOSÉ LUIS AZNAR

This Maymester course is taught in Alicante, Spain. This gorgeous coastal city is the capital city of the beautiful Costa Blanca, located on the eastern coast of Spain. Few other cities can boast exciting and famous festivals, miles of beautiful sunny beaches, quaint, old- world Spanish boroughs, and a richness of early architecture. As a native of Spain, I cannot imagine a better and more exciting place to host this intermediate conversational Spanish course.

The main objective of this class is to increase your Spanish level of oral proficiency through the study of Spanish cultural, political and historical events. As a conversation class, the students will be graded on several activities that will serve as catalysts to develop their oral proficiency. These activities will stimulate students to analyze, discuss and present different arguments from the material covered in class. Furthermore, in order to take advantage of the location of this course, students will be asked to interview Spaniards using information from a variety of authentic materials ranging from written news, radio and television broadcasts, documentaries, and feature films studied in class to prepare for their weekly presentations. By the end of this course, students should have greatly improved their oral proficiency, their knowledge about Spanish culture, and their strategies for effective oral communication.  

CREDITS: 3 credits

DATES: Arrive in Madrid 8 May to 4 June 2010

FEES: Total cost: Approximately $5200. Included: tuition, housing, health insurance, excursion to Madrid, ground transportation, and some meals. It does not include airfare, most meals, optional tours and incidental expenses.

SYLLABUS:   pdf Spain Maymester Syllabus.pdf

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: jose.aznar@vanderbilt.edu

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ARTS 285: ARTISTIC ESCAPE TO LONDON

PROFESSOR: MEL ZIEGLER, CHAIR & PROFESSOR OF ART DEPARTMENT

This course is specifically designed for students interested in experiencing and wholeheartedly immersing themselves in the contemporary London art scene. This intensive four-week course will include visits to museums, galleries, artist’s studios, viewings of art films and perhaps a few artists’ lectures. There will be occasions for us to visit with gallery dealers and curators to learn more about their professions and business practices. This course will primarily be about contemporary art and contemporary art practice.

Excursions outside of London include: Tate Modern, Liverpool, Henry Moore Foundation and Institute, Leeds, Southampton Art Gallery, Southampton and City Gallery, Leicester. (subject to change)

EXPECTATIONS: Participating students will attend a class meeting on campus on in April to receive reading packets and discuss basic course information. Each class day we will visit exhibitions and/or artists’ studios. Class days will be Tuesday through Saturday with Sunday and Monday free days to explore on your own. Readings will be assigned in accordance to what or whom we will visit each week. Each class day will begin with a group meeting to allow discussion of the previous day’s experiences. Wednesday evening will be film night… optional. Short writing assignments will be assigned each week. One final paper will be due at the end of the Maymester period.

ELIGIBILITY: The program is open to all majors with good academic standing, and with consent of instructor. Arts 285 fulfills one of the Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA) requirements for AXLE.

CREDITS: 3 credit hours. ARTS 285 fulfills one of the HCA requirements in AXLE.

FEES: The course fee is approximately $7,800, including tuition, all accommodations in London, occasional group meals, public transportation passes, and all course-related excursion tickets. It does not include most meals, incidental expenses, and airfare (BNA-LHR), for which a common itinerary will be developed.

SCHEDULE: May 12 departure to UK. May 13-June 5 in London. Daily schedule to be announced.

MORE INFORMATION: E-mail: mel.ziegler@vanderbilt.edu

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THEATRE 280: CONTEMPORARY THEATRE IN LONDON

PROFESSOR: DAVID MULLER, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF THEATRE

From the moment James Burbage built one of Europe’s first permanent, purpose-built theatres outside the city in 1576, London has been a center of dramatic innovation and a hub of the Western theatre tradition. From Christopher Marlowe to Caryl Churchill, British drama has been a continual force in shaping theatrical art around the world, and London has been a city of remarkable theatrical history, where tradition and innovation continue to offer audiences challenging and inspiring performances. After a brief time on campus in Nashville, this course will spend 3∏ weeks using the city of London as a laboratory for examining the rich diversity of contemporary theatre. Students will attend and discuss at least twelve performances (TBA) at theatres as diverse as Shakespeare's Globe, the three venues of the National Theatre of Great Britain, the Royal Court, the Old Vic, the Menier Chocolate Factory, the Barbican Centre, and several West End venues.  The productions will be equally divided among Shakespeare, musicals, contemporary (including never-before-seen) drama, and modern classics. The course will explore London’s theatre history by way of backstage tours, meetings with theatre professionals, and visits to the Theatre Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery. Two weekends will be free to explore the city and its environs and to travel on one’s own or in smaller groups. 

DATES: 12 May to 5 June 2010

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Theatre 280 entails an average of four hours of classroom contact per weekday (including the performances and activities). Active participation in group discussions and attendance at all performances and excursions are required.  Students will keep a theatregoing journal, write an analytical paper (draft and revision), and take a final exam. The texts for the course are the new Cambridge Introduction to Modern British Theatre by Simon Shepherd and four of the plays that we will be attending together. Theatre 280 fulfills the Perspectives (P) requirement for AXLE and has no prerequisite; no previous theatre or performance experience is necessary.

CREDITS: (3).
 
FEES: The course fee is approximately $7,800 and includes tuition, accommodation at the Foundation for International Education (FIE) in London, occasional group meals, public transportation passes, and all theatre, museum, and excursion tickets.  It does not include regular meals, incidental expenses, and airfare (BNA-LHR), for which a common itinerary will be developed.

MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY: Contact david.g.muller@vanderbilt.edu

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VANDERBILT SUMMER 2010 IN LONDON

Working in cooperation with the Foundation for International Education (FIE) in London, Vanderbilt is offering two Maymesters (THTR 280 and ARTS 285) plus an Internship Study Program (INDS 280). There are two program options below. Students could choose to enroll in a Maymester only, or a combination of a Maymester plus the Internship Study Program.

  1. Maymester Study Program: THTR 280 and ARTS 285
    Arrival: Thursday, May 13
    Orientation: Thursday, May 13 – Sunday, May 16
    Maymester Classes: Monday, May 17 – Friday, June 4
    Departure: Saturday, June 5
    Students will choose one of two classes taught by Vanderbilt faculty. See course descriptions above for details on each Maymester.
  2. Maymester Study Program PLUS Internship Study Program
    6 WEEKS of Internship plus 3 ½ weeks of Maymester
    Arrival: Thursday, May 13
    Orientation: Thursday, May 13 – Sunday, May 16
    Maymester Classes: Monday, May 17 – Friday, June 4
    Internship+ IIC Class: Monday, June 7 – Friday, July 16
    Departure: Sunday, July 18
    (9 ½ weeks total program length)

Students will choose one of two Maymesters taught by Vanderbilt faculty, followed by FIE’s International Internship class with internship placement. In the IIC class, students will have approximately 154 hours of classroom (14 hours) and placement (140 hours) contact time. The British government has mandated that students doing internships in the UK must spend half of the time in class and only half of the time on the job. Students will take FIE’s International Internship class with internship placement in order to comply with these new visa and internships requirements. Due to differences from the dates of FIE’s Open Enrollment summer internship program, this will be a closed Vanderbilt program. All students on this program will need to obtain proper Student Pre-Entry Clearance – a student visa allowing them to participate in an internship. Price: approximately $15,000 per student includes three credits for the Maymester and one hour of academic credit for either INDS 280A 26 or INDS 280B 03.

INCLUSIONS

  • Academic Support Services and Study Centre
  • Access to and use of Foundation House Study Centre with classrooms, student common room and Student Life areas supervised by FIE staff.
  • Academic support for the advisement of course delivery.
  • Student Life support for advisement and booking of the co-curricular program, e.g. theatre productions and field trips as a part of courses.
  • Internet wireless access in Foundation House Study Centre visiting faculty office with computer and phone/fax services with voicemail.

Extra-Curricular Program

  • 2-3 group-specific extra-curricular events, like the London Eye, an athletic event, or other pertinent London experiences. (Maymester)
  • Subsidized calendar of extra-curricular events like theatre shows, sporting events, comedy shows, London eye, etc. (Internship Program)

Housing, and London Transport Passes

  • Student housing multi-occupancy rooms in FIE's dedicated accommodation
    24-hour emergency support.
  • London Underground Pass (Oyster card) for zones one and two for the duration of the program (3 ½, or 9 ½ weeks).
  • Internet wireless access in all residences plus a 30-station pc lab open 24/7.

Orientation
To include: a Blue Badge walking tour of South Kensington; a half day London tour with BB guide; and a welcome orientation lecture; a welcome reception.

PROGRAM EXCLUSIONS
Not Included in the Fee:

  • Flights to and from London.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Passport fees.
  • Independent travel and expenses
  • Meals

FIE Internship Pages online: This is a comprehensive resource for all internship matters

Intership Information:
London interships on the Web, comprehensive information: http://www.fie.org.uk/file/study/internships

Guide to Internship Areas:
Students can use this to get a better idea of what FIE offers specifically in different areas, and they will be asked to use this document to select intern areas during the application process. Internship Handbook: This link will be sent to students once accepted to help them prepare a CV and personal statement. This goes over the internship experience in great detail.

Link to the Guide to Internship Areas:
http://www.fie.org.uk/content/upload/documents/internareas.pdf

Further Information
Students wishing to learn more about these internship opportunities are encouraged to speak with Dr. Martin Rapisarda, in the A&S Dean’s Deans Office. Call 615.343.3140 to set up an appointment.