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May 26-July 1, 2009
Program Info
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW | COURSE STRUCTURE | CURRICULUM
INSTRUCTORS | COSTS | APPLICATION | VISA
IMMUNIZATIONS/INSURANCE | CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The field of anthropology is a core scientific discipline in the study and understanding of human evolution and diversity. A central concept used by anthropologists attempting to study the world around them with an unbiased viewpoint is the ability to conduct field research while maintaining "cultural relativity." Immersion in another culture is one of the most effective ways to internalize this difficult concept.
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The Costa Rica Primate Field Program provides an opportunity for students to study in a unique region of the world and to practice anthropological concepts and techniques. The program will take place both on the HSU campus and at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. The four-and-a-half week intensive course will be offered to all qualified Humboldt State University students, as well as to qualifying students from other institutions.
This program will be rigorous, both physically and academically. Students will be required to learn as much as they can about New World primate behavior, ecology and conservation, primatology field techniques, Costa Rican culture, current issues affecting Costa Ricans and their flora and fauna, and cultural sensitivity, among other things. They are required to attend all lectures (on campus and in the field), to spend many hours in the rainforest looking for primates, and to conduct their own primate behavioral observation research projects at the Sequoia Park Zoo and at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica. After an intense classroom experience (including several orientation sessions) at HSU, we will ask students to assimilate what they are experiencing through observation, data collection and analysis, writing, reflection, and discussion while living at a beautiful and world renowned biological field station in Central America.
See Field Conditions for more information.
COURSE STRUCTURE
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This 12-unit program consists of four, three-unit courses (see list under “Curriculum” below). It will enhance students’ academic experience by allowing them to use international experiences and hands-on exercises while studying anthropological topics. In addition, students will learn how to use many of the techniques anthropologists employ while conducting field research. Traditional lectures will be supplemented by hands-on learning and field observation. Informal seminar-style discussions will occur throughout the course to monitor students’ progress, and to facilitate individual analysis of events and lectures.
This program has two major interrelated themes. The first theme will be an examination of Costa Rican cultures via an anthropological viewpoint. Cultural anthropology is one of the four main areas of study within the discipline of anthropology. Students on this program will study modern Costa Rican life ways, the sociocultural history of the country, verbal traditions, music, and art, and the impact of tourism and development, among other things. On this program, students will also become well-versed in cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication.
The second theme, primatology, includes practical training in primate field research techniques and classes relating to primate and rainforest conservation. Primatology, or the examination of ape, monkey and prosimian behavior, ecology and evolution, is a major sub-field of biological anthropology (the study of human biology and evolution). The four primate species at La Selva provide an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning for the students. Students will make observations of wild monkeys and learn associated field techniques.
When students finish this program they should be able to:
- understand and reflect upon many cultural practices and the history of the people of this central American nation,
- conduct basic tropical rainforest primatology field work and understand which techniques work best for different environmental conditions,
- reflect upon the pros and cons of ‘sustainable development’ in light of ecotourism and rainforests, and
- appreciate the difficulties and joys of living and working in “foreign” cultures and the wisdom such experiences can produce.
CURRICULUM
Each course below is linked to its detailed description.
12 UNITS:
ANTH 339, 3 units: Costa Rican Primate Behavior and Ecology I
ANTH 339, 3 units: Costa Rican Primate Behavior and Ecology II
ANTH 306, 3 units: Costa Rican Cultures
ANTH 485, 3 units: International Study Preparation
No prerequisites are required for program courses.
All courses and field instruction will be taught in English.
GE and/or Major, Minor Requirements
ANTH 339 fulfills an upper division biological anthropology core requirement for the anthropology major, and an upper division course for the anthropology minor. ANTH 485 fulfills an anthropology breath and specialty (elective) course for the major and an upper division course for the anthropology minor. ANTH 306 is an upper division Area D GE course; it also fulfills an upper division regional requirement for anthropology majors and an upper division course for anthropology minors.
INSTRUCTORS & STAFF
The course instructors are Mary Glenn and Marissa Ramsier, both of the Department of Anthropology at Humboldt State University.
Dr. Mary Glenn is an associate professor and the director of the HSU Biological Anthropology Research Laboratory. She holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from Northwestern University in Chicago.
Marissa Ramsier is a lecturer in the Department of Anthropology and a research associate at the HSU Biological Anthropology Research Laboratory. She holds an M.A. in anthropology and is currently a doctoral candidate at UC Santa Cruz.
Both Mary Glenn and Marissa Ramsier have extensive experience in the course topics and in primate fieldwork. Both have taught and/or participated on field programs in Costa Rica, and both have worked at the La Selva Biological Station. The instructors will lead all aspects of the course, including lectures, field days, travel to and from Costa Rica and supervising students while at HSU and in Costa Rica.
The teaching assistant is Kat Fountain, who will assist in all aspects of the course, and will be focusing on capuchin behavior and anatomy.
She is currently a senior at Humboldt State University and a anthropology major with a focus in primatology. Having completed a primatology field school in Costa Rica last summer, Kat has experience in finding wild primates, and interpreting their calls and behavior. Adding to her experience, Kat was a teaching assistant for ANTH 333 (Primates) in spring 2007 for Dr. Mary Glenn.
Soon to be the president of HSU’s Northwest Primate Conservation Society, her plans for next semester include a rainforest education program with a focus on primates for school children in Primavera, Costa Rica.
Keith Bensen will be one of the field leaders for the Costa Rica portion of the course. He will give several lectures and lead students on field excursions while at La Selva.
Keith Bensen has been a professional wildlife biologist for 19 years while working in three U.S. states and four foreign countries for various government and non governmental research and natural resource management agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Audubon Society and the Governments of Grenada, Cameroon, and Sao Tome and Principe.
He has published and conducted research on mona monkeys, swallow-tailed kites, northern spotted owls, Hawaiian honeycreepers and California condors. He has also been both a college ecology instructor on overseas programs as well as a professional naturalist.
For the last eight years, he has been working for the National Park Service at Redwood National and State Parks where he is responsible for the management of rare, threatened and endangered fish and wildlife.
VISA & IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
United States citizens are required to obtain passports for entry into Costa Rica. Students are to obtain passports independently and to provide the course instructors will photocopies of their passports no later than May 27, 2007. Students who are not U.S. citizens are responsible to obtain all necessary documents and permission to allow them to participate in the Costa Rica portion of the course.
See the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs website for more information.
IMMUNIZATIONS & INSURANCE INFORMATION
Students are responsible for obtaining all immunizations required by the U.S. Public Health Service for Costa Rica as well as the student's medical condition and history.
All students will be required to have international medical, accident, and evacuation insurance and must sign the HSU Insurance Agreement and Release prior to leaving for Costa Rica.
See HEALTH & SAFETY for more information.
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Application Information
Please see APPLICATION page for information about the application and selection process.
Program Costs per Student
Program costs paid by students cover the cost of housing. The deadline for receipt of all program costs is in March 2007 (two months before travel).
Program costs paid by students cover the cost of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Tuition: 12 units of academic credit at Humboldt State University: $1,740
- Estimated Housing, food, in-country travel to field station and program fees: $1,425-$1585
- Estimated airfare range, depending on departure city, airline, and advance purchase: $600 to $1,500
- Student health insurance: $18
$3783 to $4843 TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS
Payment deadlines:
March 8, 2009: 20% of program fees due ($285 - $317 per student)
April 8, 2009: Remaining program fees due ($1,158 - $1268)
April 11, 2009: Deadline for Extended Education tuition payment ($1,740)
April 15, 2009: Deadline for booking air ticket
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
Once the payment in full is submitted, no refund will be given without petitioning the Office of Extended Education. If a refund is granted, only the portion that has not been committed on behalf of the individual will be refunded. In the event that a student must cancel prior to departure for Costa Rica and after paying his or her deposit, the deposit will not be refunded. HSU tuition costs will be refunded under standard policies.
Please see Extended Education's Drop and Refund policy for more information.
GO TO: Field Conditions information