Biomes of the World: An Interdisciplinary Program on the Impact of Climate Change on People and the Environment
Spring 12-week, 2010
The Faculty
David Anderson - English
Dennis Taylor - Biology
The Courses
Biology 380 - Biomes of the World
Interdisciplinary 318 - Natural History
Writing 310 - Travel Writing
The Program
Biomes of the World is and innovative, integrated 12-week academic experience in which participants study in selected terrestrial, freshwater, marine and human-dominated biomes, ecological units that are correlated with responses to regional climate types and life-form responses. The program integrates biomes, from polar to tropical, in the eastern and western hemispheres, from high altitudes to sea level and underwater, from terrestrial to marine and aquatic by examining our current ecological understanding of the biology underlying what we see. The three courses are central to student appreciation of the biome "concept" through a study of ecology in the biomes course, natural history, human influence and the impact of global warming through the natural history in the 21st century course, and through expression of concepts learned and impressions gained through the travel-writing course which will have a sub theme of nature writing.
Students will follow in the footsteps of Alexander Von Humboldt, a German naturalist who proposed that similar regional climates produce similar morphological (and we find now physiological) responses. Participants will be modern day natural historians like Von Humboldt recording their observations while trying to decipher the impact of global warming if any on themselves, the biomes they observe and the indigenous people who inhabit them. Participants will examine the science behind global warming and the ways in which various cultures including our own are responding to rapid climate changes that we observe. Is our trip in fact changing the climate by our own observation methods, and if so, how do we respond?
To learn more about this program, please go to: http://biodiversity.hiram.edu/modules/biomes/biomescourse.html
The Travel
Alaska: Tundra and Boreal Forests; Guam: Coastal Environments including Coral Reef and Mangrove; Thailand Tropical Rainforests and Continental Shelf; India: Temperate Grasslands and Tropical Dry Forests; Kenya: Tropical Savannas; Dubai: Deserts; Egypt: Rivers and Streams; Turkey: Mediterranean Woodland and Scrub; Germany: Temperate Broadleaf Deciduous Forests
Travel Dates
Approximate: January 7, 2008 - April 15, 2010
Estimated Program Costs
$10,000 dependent upon fuel costs and airfare
Price includes all travel expenses, accommodations, and meals. Personal expenses, passport fees, and independent travel are not covered.
A $75 non-refundable fee will be due at the time of application.
Application Deadline
March 13, 2009
For more information, please contact:
Study Abroad Coordinator
Hiram College
P.O. Box 67
Hiram, OH 44234
Phone: (330) 569-5160
Fax: (330) 569-5381
E-Mail: mickks@hiram.edu