Message-ID: <535A717CE@server.sasw.ncsu.edu> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 14:08:08 -0400 From: "James M. Wallace" <mailto:tim@SERVER.SASW.NCSU.EDU> Subject: Ethnographic Field School in Costa Rica focusing on the To: mailto:INTDEV-L@uriacc.uri.edu
North Carolina State University announces the Fourth Annual Ethnographic Field School in Costa Rica focusing on the Anthropology of Sustainable Tourism
May 13-June 23, 1999
Program Objectives: Students learn how to do ethnographic fieldwork, design a research project, carry out independent research and study the effects of tourism and change on the environment and the local communities. During the sixweek program students live with Costa Rican families.
Costa Rica: Costa Rica is an excellent site for learning ethnographic research methods and studying the effects of tourism on the environment and the culture of the people. Though small, it is the world's leader in ecotourism. One of the very few countries without a military,the government prefers to spend its budget on education and health services. The friendly and outgoing Costa Ricans have the highest standard of living in Latin America. But success has brought some problems in tourist areas: coastal wetlands destruction, water pollution, destruction of scenic vistas, high immigration of undocumented aliens, crime, and changes in community values. In this fourth summer of research we will continue to investigate the impacts of tourism development on the Pacific Ocean side of the country. Using ethnographic methods and anthropology of tourism theory students learn whether tourism in Costa Rica is truly sustainable.
The Research Site: Quepos/Manuel Antonio Quepos (pop. 16,000) is a friendly, coastal town near the beautiful ecotourism destination of Manuel Antonio National Park with its spectacular beaches and tropical rainforest fauna, including three species of monkeys, an incredible diversity of birds such as toucans and macaws, sloths, coati and other exotic wildlife.
Course Credits: Six Credits (Undergraduate or Graduate) Each student receives six course credits upon successful completion of the following two courses that form the basis of instruction during the field school. These courses are:
ANT 419 Ethnographic Field Methods. (3 cr.) This is a field methods course that emphasizes practical training in ethnographic fieldwork and ethics. Applied research methods such as rapid appraisal will also be demonstrated. Students learn research design, systematic observation, interviewing, notetaking, computer software programs of use in ethnographic research, data analysis and report writing.
ANT 432 Anthropology of Tourism: Applied Field Methods. (3 cr.) This course focuses on tourism and the role of culture as it affects the interactions between hosts and guests. Students learn through seminar discussions and field work the problems underlying the achievement of sustainable tourism and maintenance of native cultural traditions.
Note: English is the language of instruction, and English translation is available to facilitate interviewing and communication.
For Whom Intended The program is designed for 12-15 students who may be juniors, seniors and/or graduate students from various fields wishing to learn ethnographic field methods. Prerequisites are two courses in anthropology, one of which must be in Cultural Anthropology. First and Second Year students may participate with permission of the instructor. No previous experience in ethnographic fieldwork required. Priority will be given to students who have completed at least two semesters of Spanish; but the lack of Spanish will not disqualify anyone.
Housing Each student lives with a Costa Rican family. They receive room, board and laundry services. The families also help them learn Spanish. We have worked with these families for over three years and they are very familiar with the goals and needs of our students.
Excursions The program also includes side excursions to other locales, including the beautiful and exotic cloud rainforest region of Monteverde, the national park near the active volcano of Arenal, and the luxurious resort of Tabacon hot springs. We will also tour Poas Volcano, the Cathedral of Cartago and the Central Valley cities of San Josi and Heredia. These visits help students become familiar with other parts of the country, the tourism infrastructure and they enhance student research projects.
Program Leader Dr. James M. Tim Wallace is the Program Director. An Associate Professor of Anthropology at North Carolina State University, he has ethnographic field work experience in South America, Eastern Europe, Japan, West and East Africa, in addition to Costa Rica and the US.
Program Costs The cost of the six week program is $2280. The fee covers all living expenses including: room and board in-country excursions local transportation costs national park entrance fees program fees and instruction tuition for six credits in anthropology health insurance research supplies.
Not included: airfare.
Airfare from Raleigh, N.C. to San Josi is currently as low as $525. . Assistance in finding inexpensive airfares can be provided. Students are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop word processor to the field. Assistance with locating a laptop computer will be provided, if needed.
Documents Other than a valid passport no other documents are necessary to enter Costa Rica.
Applications For an application and further information contact Tim Wallace at 919-515-9025. Fax no:919-515-2610; Email: mailto:tim_wallace@ncsu.edu. When requesting an application, send a letter (or Email message) introducing yourself and your background. Include your full name, local address, permanent mailing address, telephone number, Email address, your major, year of graduation and degree. A formal application form and instructions will follow upon receipt of your letter. Mail the letter to: Tim Wallace, NC State U. Summer Ethnographic Field School in Costa Rica, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, Box 8107, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8107. Applications and information may also be obtained through the NCSU Study Abroad Office, Box 7344, NCSU, Raleigh, NC 27695-7344, (919) 515-2087.
Registration Fee A $100 registration fee, applicable to the total program cost, is required at the time of application. The registration fee will be refunded to students who are not accepted for the program.
Notification of Acceptance Applications will be evaluated at the time and in the order in which they are received. Notice of acceptance will be made within three weeks of receipt of the application form. Acceptance is more likely the earlier the application is received.
*************************************************************** James M. (Tim) Wallace Tel: 919-515-9025 Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology Fax: 919-515-2610 N. Carolina State University Email: mailto:Tim_Wallace@ncsu.edu Box 8107, Raleigh, NC 27695-8107 ***************************************************************