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Faculty-Led Programs

Below are the WKU faculty-led programs that are available for the upcoming terms. These are WKU courses that are taught by WKU faculty and taken by WKU students. Every program is different, so please read the following information carefully. If you have any questions, please contact the Study Abroad Office or the faculty member. Visit us often as new programs may be added at any time.

Summer 2008 Programs

Geography of the Mediterranean World

A Study of Markets in the Low Countries - Amsterdam & Brussels

Deviant Behavior - Amsterdam

Australian Art and Architecture

Conservation and Management of African Wildlife

Studio Response: Art of France

Speech-Language Therapy Services in Europe

 

Program Geography of the Mediterranean World - website
Location Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Turkey
Dates May 13 - June 7, 2008
Faculty Ms. Debbie Kreitzer & Mr. William Blackburn (Geography & Geology)
Course(s) GEOG 475
Credit Hours 3 or 6 (with independent study)
Description Geography of the Mediterranean will allow students to examine the culture, economic development, land-use, and sustainability issues shaping the Mediterranean countries of Turkey, Greece, Italy and Slovenia. Students may earn up to three additional credit hours by enrolling in an independent study course.
Eligibility Any WKU student with the approval of the program director. Contact Ms. Kreitzer for a program application.

Program A Study of Markets in the Low Countries - website
Location Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Brussels, Belgium
Dates July 9-25, 2008
Faculty Dr. Dan Myers (Economics)
Course(s) ECON 471
Credit Hours 3
Description Applied microeconomic examination of markets. Markets of concern include: drugs, flowers, diamonds, and sex. In addition, other concepts will be explored, including: European economic systems; history of the EU (political and economic); introduction of cultures; development of cities. There will be a lecture at the EC in Brussels. Students will visit the flower auction and floating flower market; tour a diamond cutting facility with lecture; a presentation by the Prostitution Information Center regarding the business of sex and entrepreneurship, and other activities and lectures.
Eligibility Any WKU student eligible for ECON 471 and with the approval of the program director. Contact Dr. Myers for a program application.

Program Deviant Behavior - Amsterdam - website
Location Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dates July 10 - August 1, 2008
Faculty Dr. Matt Pruitt (Sociology)
Course(s) SOCL 489
Credit Hours 3
Description The course in deviant behavior examines how groups define certain behaviors, beliefs, and conditions as violations of group norms. Those who violate group norms are considered deviants or outsiders and are subject to both stigmatization and negative sanctions. Norms, however, vary over time, cross-culturally, and among subcultures within a given society. Thus the nature of deviance is dynamic rather than static. Amsterdam, a cosmopolitan, world-class city, has a long history of tolerance toward many behaviors and lifestyles that are considered deviant by many social groups. It is hard to imagine a better natural setting to study social deviance than this city with its red light district, coffee shops, Anne Frank House and unique museums.
Eligibility Any WKU student eligible for SOCL 389 and with the approval of the program director. Contact Dr. Pruitt for a program application.

Program Australian Art and Architecture
Location Sydney, Melbourne & Cairns, Australia
Dates June 2 - 16, 2008
Faculty Mr. Travis Wilson (Consumer and Family Sciences)
Course(s) CFS 411
Credit Hours 3
Description Fine Art and Design generally focuses on Europe and the US. However, there is an untapped resource of design culture in Australia. This program will broaden and diversify the student's understanding of the design world. The rugged world of the outback and the refined modern cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns are teeming with traditional and contemporary design. We will be exploring these Victorian cities mixed with exciting contemporary design. Students will be exploring the two extremes of culture: the high-tech design world and aboriginal culture. Students will create two forms of media: a travel journal with sketches and a group web blog. The course will revolve around the design culture of Australia. Students will visit several design schools, firms, museums, galleries, aboriginal settlements, rainforests, and the Great Barrier Reef. It will be a study of the beauty of design in nature and human endeavors. It will be a class for anyone interested in art, architecture, design and history.
Eligibility Any WKU student eligible for CFS 411 and with the approval of the program director. Contact Mr. Wilson for a program application.

Program Conservation and Management of African Wildlife
Location South Africa (Limpopo & Mpumalanga provinces)
Dates July 2-18, 2008
Faculty Dr. Michael Stokes (Biology)
Course(s) BIOL 485
Credit Hours 3
Description Students will learn to immobilize and transport wildlife; assess economics of the wildlife and ecotourism industries; learn about South Africa's social systems and the relationship of indigenous peoples to the land and to wildlife; and compare wildlife and conservation policies and practices with those of the U.S. This is a unique, multidisciplinary approach to a science course, with special guest lecturers and field guides from wildlife veterinary medicine, conservation, wildlife management, and social sciences. These guests are stars in their fields, some of whom can be seen on such programs as Nature on PBS or National Geographic Explorer.
Eligibility Any WKU student eligible for BIOL 475 and with the approval of the program director. Contact Dr. Stokes for a program application.

Program Studio Response: Art of France
Location France and WKU
Dates May 31 - June 27, 2008 (May 31 - June 10 in France, June 12-27 at WKU)
Faculty Ms. Yvonne Petkus (Art) & Mr. Brent Oglesbee (Art)
Course(s) ART mid/upper level studio course (depends on where student is in his/her degree program)
Credit Hours 3
Description Studio Response: Art of France will be counted as a mid or upper (300/400) level studio course (specific level will depend on how far along each student is in their program) which includes a study abroad component of eleven days in France and then two weeks of studio work at Western. The course emphasizes process and outcome. While in France, students will be collecting images and postcards, sketching, doing small three-dimensional studies, taking notes, etc. that will then be the source for studio work upon our return. The intention of the course is for each student to use the influence and studies gained before and during study in France toward the furtherance of their own studio work. The studio area/media can be the student's area of focus (painting, sculpture, etc.) or an upper level of drawing (340, 341 or 440).
Eligibility Art majors/minors. Contact Ms. Petkus for a program application.

Program Speech-Language Therapy Services in Europe
Location Great Britain, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Belgium
Dates May 6 - 26, 2008
Faculty Dr. Richard Dressler
Course(s) CD 496 or CD 496G
Credit Hours 3
Description Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of how speech and language services are rendered in various European countries. Emphasis will be placed on the students identification of different methodologies employed by clinicians in Europe for treating communication disorders in adults and children. Students will also compare the health care reimbursement environments in Europe with those in the U.S. They will complete an essay at the conclusion of the course that summarizes their experiences, gathered information, and their opinions on how speech-language therapy services compare between European countries and the U.S. Students will also be provided with possible opportunities for future internship experiences in a European setting if they choose.
Eligibility Must be a Communication Disorders major in order to participate. Please contact Dr. Dressler for an application.