2023
Theater in Germany
GER-2294; IDS-2294; THEA-2294
Course Instructors: Matthew Bauman & Tosha Fowler
Location: Germany
Course Description: Analyze & experience dramatic texts in conjunction with plays selected from productions that will be on offer in Berlin’s more than 150 theaters. Students will theorize from page to stage: identifying what
the production could/should be during class time at Transy and then examining the actual productions
after attending them in Germany. Students will compare and contrast what they predicted with what
was actualized. Students will analyze playwright’s intention, director’s interpretation, and direct historical/cultural German influences for each production.
Public Policy and the Culture of Health in the Netherlands
EXSC 2294, ECON 3114
Course Instructors: Alan Bartley & Sharon Brown
Location: Netherlands
Course Description: An interdisciplinary course focused on the public policies and the culture of health within the Netherlands. This course will allow students to study and to experience firsthand a culture of health fundamentally different from that of the United States. We will research and discuss national public policies of the Netherlands dealing with health issues not normally encountered within the US. We will also study and see firsthand the cultural health experienced daily by an average Dutch citizen through biking within both urban and rural environments. The purpose of these studies and experiences is to allow students to better understand and critically analyze alternative policies for promoting health.
Environmental Justice in the Caribbean
ANTH 3204, PHIL 2294
Course Instructors: Chris Begley & Peter Fosl
Location: St. Vincent, St. Lucia
Course Description: Students engage environmental justice in theory and practice through anvexamination of the academic and popular literature, analyses of the narratives created around issuesvlike climate change, culminating in an immersive and first-hand look at these issues in two Caribbeanvcontexts in which communities experience these issues directly and acutely. Approaching the topic fromvboth a social science and humanities perspective, this travel course comprehensively examines andvcomplicates various aspects of environmental justice. Students travel to the Caribbean islands of St.vLucia and St. Vincent, contextualizing these issues through listening to and discussing these issues withvcommunity members representing tourism, fishing industry, manufacturing industry, environmental andvsocial justice groups, and government.
2022
Introduction to the Fine Arts and Rhetoric of Criticism in the Arts in London
Course Instructors: Gary Deaton & Greg Partain
Location: Great Britain/England
Course Description: A survey of basic ideas, guiding principles, and historical and contemporary practices in art, drama, and music. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the creative process, analyzing various works of art, developing critical tools for appreciation, perceiving the relationships among the three art forms, and comprehending the fundamental issues in the representation of reality through art. Travel to artistic events will occur as part of the course when available. Rhetoric of Criticism in the Arts will be taught as a parallel course, with additional analysis, class discussion responsibilities, and writing assignments.
International Accounting and Logistics Management
Course Instructors: Prof. Christi Hayne and Dr. Jeff Hopper
Location: Germany, Greece
Course Description: This course is an examination and comparison of international accounting and business operational similarities and differences highlighted through the Beverage Industry. A focus on domestic versus international production, production costs, logistics, logistics cost management, inventory management and accounting will be reviewed. Particular emphasis will be placed cultural influences and their impact on business and accounting methodologies.
International Marketing and Economics
Course Instructors: Dr. Rod Erfani and Dr. Rebecca Hochradel
Location: Russia
Course Description
This course will introduce students to international marketing issues and international trade and finance issues, which affect or influence the success of the entire enterprise, challenges that are often far beyond the scope of the traditional “marketing” function, and the impact of the global economic and financial conditions which influence problems, challenges and decisions that are faced by the businesses both domestically and globally. Some of the topics, which will be investigated, include marketing theory regarding the nature and work as it impacts international and regional institutions, agreements that affect the conduct of business globally, the legal and political setting of international marketing, and the influence of the international marketing environment on tactical and strategic marketing decision making. Given the global nature of the modern business environment, this course provides students an opportunity to experience this international component utilizing a first-hand comparison between the American and Russian business practices. The primary goals of the course are for students to gain an understanding of how international business conditions, standards, regulations and cultures affect businesses. Students can apply the course towards one of their Business or Economics major required electives.
Tropical Ecology in Belize
Course Instructors: Dr. Belinda Sly and Dr. James Wagner
Location: Belize
Course Description
This course will explore firsthand a variety of unique habitats found in the tropics such as rainforests, savannas, and coral reefs. The course also investigates the structure of tropical soils, nutrient cycling, tropical forest dynamics, tropical species diversity, mutualism, and habitat conservation. Lecture, laboratory and travel.
2019
International Accounting and Operations Management
Travel Dates: May 2-14
Instructors: Jeff Hopper and Christi Hayne
Location: Germany and Austria
Course Description
An examination and comparison of international accounting and business operational similarities and differences highlighted through the Beverage Industry in Kentucky and the southern region of Germany. A focus on domestic versus international production, production costs, logistics, logistics cost management, inventory management, and accounting will be reviewed. Particular emphasis will be placed cultural influences and their impact on business and accounting methodologies.
China’s Capitals: Exploring the Vases of Power through Politics and Art
Travel Dates: May 4-20
Instructors: Steve Hess and Wei Lin
Location: China
Course Description
The course, China’s Capitals, will introduce China’s development as a grand narrative, demonstrating how the country’s rulers and intellectuals have creatively innovated upon existing social, political and cultural norms and traditions in the interest of consolidating control over their territories and populations, maintaining social unity and harmony, and addressing the persistent threat of invasion and incursion by outsiders along China’s numerous frontiers. The course content will emphasize that China’s recent and distant past have contributed significantly in shaping the country’s present and future. We will emphasize the notion that China’s historical memory is contested space, noting that previous and contemporary rulers have worked actively and strategically to shape popular understandings of the country’s past, particularly in regards to historically consequential “critical junctures” that have defined the trajectory of China’s development. These junctures include the dynastic cycle of establishment, consolidation, decay, collapse and renewal; periods of invasion and incursion by Mongols, Manchu and Western imperialists; and the country’s episodic rise as a global power and influencer and its decline during historical periods of decline and disunity, including the most recent, the 19th-20th Century of Humiliation. By combining the teachings of an art historian and a political scientist, we can demonstrate to students how political power-brokers use the selective presentation of both cultural and historical images (and suppression of subversive content) to enhance their legitimacy and mitigate the risk of opposition challenges.
Journey Through the Bible
Travel Dates: April 23-May 14
Instructors: Paul Jones and Frank Russell
Location: Israel/Egypt/Jordan
Course Description
As it’s title states, this course is a journey through the Bible and visits numerous religious sites in three countries. Example activities/sites: Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Petra, Egyptian Pyramids, Galilee, and the Great Sphinx of Giza.
Public Policy and the Culture of Health in the Netherlands
Travel Dates: April 30-May 15
Instructors: Alan Bartley and Sharon Brown
Location: Netherlands
Course Description
An interdisciplinary course focused on the public policies and the culture of health within another country, specifically the Netherlands. This course will allow students to study and to experience firsthand a culture of health fundamentally different from that of the United States. We will research and discuss national public policies of the Netherlands dealing with health issues not normally encountered within the Unites States, such as legalized prostitution, marijuana consumption, and euthanasia. We will also study and see firsthand the cultural of health experienced daily by an average Dutch citizen through biking within both urban and rural environments. The purpose of these studies and experiences is to allow students to better understand and critically analyze alternative policies for promoting health.
Cultures of Southern Spain- Medieval and Contemporary Convivencia
Travel Dates: May 2-16
Instructors: Veronica Dean-Thacker and David Kaufman
Location: Spain
Course Description
This course is focused on the coexistence of various religious cultures in Spain during the Middle Ages (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Example sites: Sevilla, Cordoba, Grenada, Madrid (visiting various churches, cathedrals, synagogues and mosques).
Galileo: His Words and His Time
Travel Dates: May 6-20
Instructors: Robert Rosenberg and Jeremy Paden
Location: Italy
Course Description
This course will focus on how Galileo’s discoveries and writings had a profound effect on philosophy, religion, and society and on initiating the scientific revolution. Students will directly experience the cultural context in which Galileo lived by travel to Venice, Florence, and Rome.
2018
Tropical Ecology
Travel Dates: May 3-16
Instructors: Sarah Bray and James Wagner
Location: Belize
Course Description
A May term travel course that explores firsthand a variety of unique habitats found in the tropics such as rainforests, savannas, and coral reefs. The course also investigates the structure of tropical soils, nutrient cycling, tropical forest dynamics, tropical species diversity, mutualism and habitat conservation. Lecture, laboratory and travel. Prerequisite: BIO 1206. GE Area IV
Introduction to Fines Arts/Rhetoric of Criticism in the Arts
Travel Dates: May 6-20
Instructors: Greg Partain and Timothy Soulis
Location: London
Course Description
A survey of basic ideas, guiding principles, and historical and contemporary practices in art, drama, and music. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the creative process, analyzing various works of art, developing critical tools for appreciation, perceiving the relationships among the three art forms, and comprehending fundamental issues in the representation of reality through art. Travel to artistic events will occur as part of the course when available
Excursions Into Non-Western Music
Travel Dates: May 9-16
Instructor: Larry Barnes
Location: Costa Rica
Course Description
Introduces students to the music of cultures that developed apart from the Euro-centric tradition, including, but not limited to, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific Rim, Latin and South America, Native America, and the Asian Subcontinent. GE Area III A.
Costa Rica is a stable, safe democracy in the heart of a tropical rainforest. Travel with us from the Arenal volcano in the northern rainforest to the Caribbean. Hear live music in clubs, schools, streets and the National Theater. Swim in La Fortuna waterfall and the Caribbean Sea, and take the zipline above the Arenal lake rainforest. A stunning tour for the musician, biologist, and social scientist.
2017
International Accounting and Operations Management
Travel Dates: May 8-21
Instructors: Christi Hayne and Jeff Hopper
Location: Germany
Course Description
This course is an examination and comparison of international accounting and business operational similarities and differences highlighted through the Beverage Industry. A focus on domestic versus international production, production costs, logistics, logistics cost management, inventory management and accounting will be reviewed. Particular emphasis will be placed cultural influences and their impact on business and accounting methodologies.
Drawing on Ireland
Travel Dates: April 29-May 13
Instructors: Jack Girard and Zoe Strecker
Location: Ireland
Course Description
Think of “Drawing on Ireland” as an artists’ retreat—not a class. Think of it as an opportunity to be something, rather than just to learn something. Consider it an experience, a chance to spend a whole month in the company of like-minded and like-spirited artists, a chance to find your voice, clear your vision, and work in fresh and interesting ways.
“Drawing on Ireland” is designed as a workshop/studio experience. Once we get our feet on the ground in Ireland, we will commence working as writers and artists in a place that, throughout history, has inspired people to create and to express. There is no question about it, the Burren will ignite your imagination and shift your perspective in ways that are going to be expansive and transformative. The time you will be spending together (both in Ireland and back here at Transylvania) will be time to explore, talk, ponder, read, write, create, and express. You will find the place where you will spend the next couple of weeks to be amazing—to the eye, to the ear, and to the heart. To be totally affected by it, you need only be alert and interested.
Our first days together, here on campus, will be spent getting grounded, getting to know one another, engaging primary literary and historical texts, and preparing to take flight in an “arts” experience that will be, if you choose to make it, life-changing. From there, it’s up to you.
Public Policy and the Culture of Health in the Netherlands
Travel Dates: May 1-15
Instructors: Alan Bartley and Sharon Brown
Location: Netherlands
Course Description
An interdisciplinary course focused on the public policies and the culture of health within another country, specifically the Netherlands. This course will allow students to study and to experience firsthand a culture of health fundamentally different from that of the United States. We will research and discuss national public policies of the Netherlands dealing with health issues not normally encountered within the Unites States, such as legalized prostitution, marijuana consumption and euthanasia. We will also study and see firsthand the cultural of health experienced daily by an average Dutch citizen through biking within both urban and rural environments. The purpose of these studies and experiences is to allow students to better understand and critically analyze alternative policies for promoting health. Standard grading.
2016
Tropical Ecology
Travel Dates: May 1-14
Instructors: Sarah Bray and Belinda Sly
Location: Belize
Course Description
A May Term travel course that explores firsthand a variety of unique habitats found in the tropics such as rainforests, savannas, and coral reefs. The course also investigates the structure of tropical soils, nutrient cycling, tropical forest dynamics, tropical species diversity, mutualism and habitat conservation. Lecture, laboratory and travel. Prerequisite: BIO 1206. IV
The Politics and Religious Narratives of Jerusalem’s Holy Places
Travel Dates: May 3-18
Instructors: Michael Cairo and Paul Jones
Location: Israel
Course Description
Land (space and place) is an essential theme of the Bible/Qur’an for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Land is also an essential theme of the political discourse in the Levant. In order to understand the politics of Israel/Palestine in general and Jerusalem in particular, one must understand the interconnections between the religious ideologies and political realities of the land. Jerusalem is the ideal place to study these themes since it locates the confluence of the three Abrahamic traditions – their narratives and their places. This course will explore, by traveling to and studying in Jerusalem, this contentious interaction by examining the history, geography, and archaeology of the biblical sites int eh city, as well as the history and politics of the contemporary land. IV.
The Art of Persuasive Writing: Digital Travel Writing
Travel Dates: April 30-May 15
Instructors: Scott Whiddon and Kerri Hauman
Location: Ireland
Course Description
This newly created iteration of WRC 3124: “The Art of Persuasive Writing” allows for both the study and creation of texts concerning travel. Grounded in Aristotelian notions of imitation and contemporary genre theory, students will read current and historical examples of “writing about others/other places” and then develop several short pieces of their own making—with guided feedback from all class members and instructors. Participants will also gain skills in digital literacy by sharing these writings in a public forum (such as a shared class blog—and, potentially, publishing these writings on TU’s public web space as student writers, working abroad). The course defines “texts” broadly and expects student products will include alphabetic text as well as audio, digital images, and video. We will spend a week and a half on campus for pre-travel preparation, including advance readings, lectures, and workshops; two weeks in residency at the Burren College of Art (with possible side-trips; see below); and the final two days on campus to provide a concluding period for assessment, revision, and refinement of field work.
2015
Drawing on Ireland
Travel Dates: April 25-May 9
Instructors: J. Girard & M. Gehringer
Location: Ireland
Course Description
Situated at the Burren College of Art, this artist-writer retreat will center on the notion of inspiration—drawing from Ireland’s rich resources for shaping new ideas and creative works. Students will spend two weeks exploring the back roads of County Clare in the company of local historians, folklorists, environmentalists, writers, and artists. Contemporary and traditional Irish music, step-dancing, storytelling, and caving will provide context for side trips to the Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher, Yeats’ Coole Park, Galway, and Doolin.
Introduction to the Fine Arts: Communicating Art
Travel Dates: May 4-18
Instructors: T. Soulis & G. Deaton
Location: London, England
Course Description
We will spend roughly 8 days at Transy exploring the range of Fine Arts—primarily topics in visual arts, music, and theater—and discussing principles for understanding, appreciating, and communicating art in today’s society. We will then fly to London, England to spend about twelve days studying the practice of art in London. We will hear live concerts potentially at the Barbican, Royal Albert Hall, and/or Saint Martin in the Fields Church; see plays in the West End, at the New Globe, and/or the National Theater; and attend art galleries and museums, such as the Tate, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery, and/or the British Museum. In addition, we may take tours to backstage at the National Theater and the Globe Theater Museum, and explore the Bloomsbury District and Covent Garden area.