OIP Home > Study Abroad > UM Programs >Faculty-Directed Study Abroad Programs
Information for Students
Through these programs, small groups of students led by professors of The University of Montana explore the cultures, languages, literatures, and history of other countries, in most cases earning credits toward their degrees at The University of Montana as they do so. Cost and length of these programs vary, depending on location and time of year.
Programs offered by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Literatures, LA 313:
AUSTRIA next program Spring 2008
Each Spring Semester, after an intensive 3-week orientation program on campus, students depart for Austria, where they live with host families and attend classes in Vienna. Participants will learn about German language and Austrian culture and traditions. Contact: Dr. Marton Marko, 243-5418, email: marton.marko@mso.umt.edu.
ITALY next program Winter 2007
This program focuses on Classical Rome, the city in its later periods, through the present. There is no foreign language requirement for participation in this program. The list of student participants is assembled through an application process in March 2006, and all participants must register for the Fall 2006 preparatory course, Reading the City: Rome . The preparatory course orients students in Roman history, art history, politics, topography, and contemporary culture. Contact: Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, LA 313, 243-2401, email: mcll@mso.umt.edu.
MEXICO next program Spring 2007
Spring semester study abroad programs are held in Oaxaca, Mexico on odd-numbered years, alternating with trips to Spain . Students will be housed with Mexican families, attend classes, some of which are at the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, and participate in guided excursions to sites of anthropological, historical and cultural importance. For more information contact Dr. Clary Loisel, 243-2150, email: clary.loisel@umontana.edu.
MEXICO CITY next program Winter 200?
This trip includes visits to the Zocalo, the National Cathedral, the National Palace , the ruins of Tenochtitlan , the pyramids of the Teotihuacan , the convent of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz and more. A preparatory course, Reading the City: Mexico City is required. Contact: Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures, LA 313, 243-2401, email: mcll@mso.umt.edu.
RUSSIA next program likely in 2009
This three-week program is offered either during winter or summer session. Students study at a Russian university with Russian instructors and participate in a cultural program that includes museums, ballets, historic city tours, etc. The program is generally based in Moscow; however, the location and scheduling of the program depend upon the trip-director and the student interest. Contact: Dr. Ona Renner-Fahey, 243-4602, email: ona.renner@mso.umt.edu.
SPAIN next program Spring 2008
This Spring semester program in Salamanca , Spain alternates with the Spring semester program in Mexico. Students will take an orientation class and leave for Spain at the beginning of Spring Semester 2008. Students stay in private homes and attend language and culture classes at the host institute, which are taught by native Spanish instructors. Participants register for a full course load as well as participate in scheduled trips and activities. Three semesters of university-level Spanish required. Contact: Dr. Jannine Montauban, jmontauban@hotmail.com, LA 426, 243-2591.
CHINA
Abundant opportunities exist for study in China for full or half-year terms, for beginning Chinese language students to advanced. Credit is granted for approved work with instructors in Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. Contact:Prof. Timothy Bradstock, LA 319, 243-2602, timothy.bradstock@mso.umt.edu.Programs offered by other UM Departments
AUSTRALIA next program May/June 2008
The goal of this 4 week, 6 credit course in far north Queensland, Australia is to integrate the different perspectives of diverse natural, biological, and social science disciplines to improve understanding of relationships between human societies and the natural environment. The impact of humans on natural resources and their sustainable use and conservation will be emphasized. North Queensland has a wonderful year-round tropical climate and boasts some of the most diverse and remarkable natural resources in the southern hemisphere. An initial week in Cairns, with lectures from faculty at James Cook University will be followed by an exploration of the network of national parks, reserves, offshore islands, and coastal areas of northern Queensland, before returning back to Cairns for a couple of days to complete the program. In the field, we will snorkel (scuba diving is optional) and explore the marine diversity of the Great Barrier Reef; learn about Aboriginal culture and history through interactions with indigenous communities; investigate natural resource management, ecotourism and farming practices in the Outback; and hike through the tropical rainforest of the Daintree World Heritage Area to study the diverse wildlife and flora of Australia.
Contact: Dr. Bill Borrie, College of Forestry and Conservation, bill.borrie@umontana.edu.
AUSTRIA next program Spring 2009
A study abroad/performance experience offered in spring semester every three years by the Music Department. Curriculum varies from year to year; each program is unique and students elect different courses for credit, including possible credit for internships in a student's field of study. Two semesters of university-level German required.
Contact: Department of Music, 243-6880.
FIJI next program June 2008
This 8 day, 3 credit study abroad program in Fiji will examine human and cultural aspects of Fijian ecology and the conservation, preservation, and management of Fiji's unique system of marine, coastal, and mountain/rainforest natural resources. Students will use applications in cross-cultural analysis and techniques to explore the management and conservation of natural resources with a focus on issues related to human use of plant, forestry, wildlife, ecology, recreation and tourism, and/or coastal/water resources. After initial lectures from faculty at the University of the South Pacific, we enjoy a village homestay in the lush jungle highlands of Viti Levu to visit eco-tourism projects and learn about how Fijians are balancing concerns of tradition and demands of modern life relation to their special knowledge and island ecologies. We will then travel by boat to Fiji's beautiful offshore islands in the Yasawa chain for 3 days where we can learn first hand about traditional Fijian village small island life, traditions, subsistence and maritime knowledge, and also explore reef ecology. During our time in Fiji there will also be opportunities for such other activities as hiking, bird watching, snorkeling, and bamboo rafting or kayaking, and also to spend time in Fijian villages and participate in traditional Fijian celebrations with food and dancing.
Contact: Dr. Bill Borrie, College of Forestry and Conservation, bill.borrie@umontana.edu.
IRELAND next program Winter 2007
This course is offered through the Davidson Honors College. Students will register for the fall 3-credit course Irish and the Irish Americans, HIST249/Honors as a prerequisite for the winter travel. Participants will benefit from Professor Emmons’s expertise in Irish history as well as the expertise of the faculty at University College Cork, where The University of Montana has a faculty exchange program. During our time in Dublin, we will see the Book of Kells, the National Gallery, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and other fascinating historical and cultural locations. Throughout Ireland, we will visit ancient ruins, medieval monasteries, beautiful sea cliffs, and sites of literary, political, and emigration history. Contact: Laure Pengelly Drake, DHC Advisor, 243-6140.
MEXICO next program Summer 2007
A summer semester program in Patzcuaro, Mexico allows students to study Spanish and aspects of contemporary Mexico. Students will earn at least nine credits and can earn as many as 15. The dates for 2007 are June18 – July 26. Students will take three academic courses (Spanish Language, Politics of Mexico, Development Administration), live with Mexican families, and participate in a number of field trips. Contact: Professor Paul Haber, Department of Political Science, redbeard_mt@yahoo.com
NEW ZEALAND next program May/June 2008
This 4-week, 6 credit study abroad program will examine the natural, social and conservation history of New Zealand's South Island. New Zealand's isolation, after its separation from the ancient Gondwanaland millions of years ago, has left this island nation with a unique natural heritage. The plants and animals that have evolved here are unknown elsewhere in the world. Our program will focus on topics related to sustainable development (sustaining human societies and the natural environment) through educational travel, field trips, active participation, lecture presentations and seminars, and coursework exercises. We spend the first week in the garden city of Christchurch with courses from faculty at Lincoln University and University of Canterbury. This is followed by a 2-week field study tour of the South Island.
Contact: Dr. Neil Moisey, College of Forestry and Conservation, moisey@forestry.umt.edu.
VIETNAM & LAOS next program May/June 2007
This Spring semester program, created by the Office for Civic Engagement with Liberal Studies, offers a new and unique service learning, study abroad course for UM students. Students will enroll in a 1-credit seminar course covering social, cultural and political issues of Southeast Asia through reading, film and discussion. In June, students will travel to Vietnam and Laos, with an option to visit Cambodia on their own. The travel will be worth 3 credits. Students will be responsible for a final project/presentation related to their experience. Contact: Andrea Vernon, Office for Civic Engagement, 243-5159, andrea.vernon@mso.umt.edu.
Other Faculty Directed Programs
From year to year, other programs may be made available that are usually one-time-only experiences. Students should check with the Office of International Programs to see what may be offered during a given academic year.