Australia Winter 2010/11

On this smallest, most temperate of continents, whose culture blends European and Asian, aboriginal and modern, whose flora and fauna are both diverse and unique, participants can explore the richness of a world apart, travelling from the trend-setting venues of metropolitan Melbourne to the reefs and rain forest of tropical Cairns.

By combining this intensive study abroad experience with course-specific directed study activities preceding and/or following the travel portion of the program, students may earn three semester hours of college credit.

Please carefully read Program Details for additional information pertinent to all CCSA programs.

ACCOMMODATIONS & MEALS

Participants in the Australia Winter Program reside in local hotels and dormitories as well as research station facilities, if appropriate. Accommodations are based primarily on double occupancy with occasional use of multi-bedded rooms; single rooms may be available at an additional price. Daily breakfasts and some additional meals are included in the program price.

PROGRAM COSTS

The price of the Australia Winter Program is $5,695. This includes health insurance, round-trip transportation from designated cities, accommodations, daily breakfast, program excursions, airport transfers and some additional meals.

Most meals, other than breakfast, are at the participant’s own expense. A minimum of $500 should be budgeted for meals, additional transportation, entrance fees and departure tax (if applicable). Participants should also budget additional funds for personal expenses such as souvenirs and independent travel, based upon their individual spending habits.

Tuition is not included in the program costs detailed above. Please refer to Registration/Tuition & Fees for additional information.

All prices are subject to change in the event of unanticipated increases in airfares, monetary exchange rates or other changes in program costs. In some cases, program items may be deleted in lieu of a price increase.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE & DEADLINES

Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of the October 1, 2010 application deadline, as priority is given to early applications. Notification regarding acceptance to the program will be sent shortly after receipt of the application and deposit in the CCSA central office.

For students from outside the CCSA consortium, notification will follow receipt of the application, deposit and additional application materials as specified on page 18. Confirmation of specific course selection will be provided approximately three weeks after the application deadline.

NOTE: A $100 reduction in the program price will be awarded to those who submit their applications before or on September 17, 2010. This discount will be applied to the final payment due on November 5, 2010.

A $200 deposit is due at the time of application.
A first payment of $2,500 to cover the airline ticket price and deposits on arrangements in Australia is due by the application deadline date, October 1, 2010.
The second and final payment of $2,995, plus single room price (if applicable), is due by November 5, 2010.

Please familiarize yourself with the Cancellation Policy.

Checks should be made payable to “CCSA.” Please consider your cancelled check as receipt for payment. Returned checks will incur a $20 penalty fee. CCSA also accepts Visa and MasterCard.

Please see the Payment page on the website.

PASSPORT & VISITOR VISA INFORMATION

The Australian government requires that U.S. citizens acquire visitor visas for travel to Australia. Visa processingwill be coordinated through the CCSA central office. A current passport is required to apply for a visitor visa; therefore, it is crucial that participants apply for passports as early as possible.

Please refer to the Passport & Visitor section.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM PRICE?

pre-departure orientation
airfare
airport transfers
housing
breakfasts + some additional meals
in-country travel
health insurance
on-site orientation
on-site administrative support

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The following are descriptions of the courses of study offered in the CCSA 2010/2011 Australia Winter Program.

Applicants may register for courses offered by professors from any member institution.

Students are encouraged to email faculty to learn more about the courses.

ARCHAEOLOGY /ANTHROPOLOGY

Archaeology in Australia

Australia is probably the continent you will study least in your Introductory Archaeology class, but it is a fascinating place: a continent of deserts and tropical forests; of animals unknown elsewhere; of drastic contrasts and conflicts between Aboriginal first-comers and European colonizers. Through discussions and field trips, we will look at the controversies surrounding the date of the first human colonization of Australia; the archaeological record of an Aboriginal people with simple material culture, complex spiritual and social cultures, and deep and enduring ties to a symbolically-charged landscape; and the historical sites and impact of colonization.
(3 cr. hrs., UD, Dr. Kit W. Wesler, [kit.wesler@murraystate.edu], Murray
State University)

BIOLOGY

Form & Function in Australian Fauna

Australia has some of the most unusual organisms on earth because of its evolutionary isolation. The Great Barrier Reef, one of the natural wonders of the world, is also home to a huge diversity of fish and other marine organisms. Students will explore some of the unique adaptations that these animals have evolved. Field experiences, along with discussions, will allow students to develop an understanding of these adaptations. Students will visit the Australian Natural History Museum and zoological parks to learn about animal diversity, and snorkel/dive the Great Barrier Reef to study the world’s largest barrier reef ecosystem.
Prerequisite: one semester of Introductory Biology or consent of instructor
(3 cr. hrs., UD, Dr. Michael Smith, [michael.smith1@wku.edu], Western Kentucky University)

COMMUNICATION/ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Enhancing Communication Effectiveness Down Under: Public Address, Persuasion, Conflict Resolution & Leadership

Join me and students from over a dozen universities as we interact with the Australian population to enhance your leadership skills through the art of public address, persuasion, and team communication concepts. Against a background of visits to sites of cultural and historic significance to Australians, enjoy a seminar on conflict resolution strategies and techniques and improve your presentation and analytical skills. Practice interviewing skills while visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Compare and contrast the American and Australian media as you visit local media outlets, perhaps even becoming a member of a live studio audience…and more!
Prerequisite: introductory speech course and/or introductory course involving some basic communication concepts or consent of instructor
(3 cr. hrs., UD, Dr. Crystal Rae Coel Coleman, [crystal.coleman@murraystate.edu], Murray State University)

ENGLISH

Australian Aboriginal & Native North American Literature & Storytelling

Have you ever wondered what life was like for the indigenous peoples of Australia and North America? What kinds of stories did they share? How did they interact with their surrounding world? Come join us Down Under as we visit aboriginal settlements and cultural parks, read indigenous literature and listen to aboriginal storytellers, and participate in aboriginal walkabouts while we learn about the importance of landscape, the dynamic boundaries between dreams and waking life, the emphasis placed on ancestors and creation stories, and the interaction between oral storytellers and their audiences in the indigenous communities of Australia and North America.
Prerequisite: one semester of composition
(3 cr. hrs., UD, Dr. Rick Mott, [rick.mott@eku.edu], Eastern Kentucky University)

PSYCHOLOGY

Culture & Identity: How Culture Impacts Who We Are, What We Think & How We Feel

Learn through experiencing the rich and vibrant culture of Australia how where we were raised makes us who we are. As you explore both metropolitan and tropical settings, observe cultural differences in communication, emotion, relationships and how we understand the behavior of others. While learning about culture and psychology, you will look inside yourself to see how much your own culture has influenced who you are, how you express and feel emotions, how you select your romantic partners, and how you interact with others. See for yourself the powerful impact of culture on our experience of life, love, and thought.
Prerequisite: one semester of introductory/general psychology
(3 cr. hrs., UD/G, Dr. Renae Duncan, [renae.duncan@murraystate.edu], Murray State University)