Escape the Classroom

Your Piedmont faculty have taught you science, history, religion, business, art and so much more in the classroom. With faculty-led travel study courses, the classroom material comes to life. Study Ethnic American Literature as you travel through France seeing locations where former slaves found refuge and reflected on their experiences. Go to the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland and see first-hand the difficulty Brexit negotiators faced as they sought to divide a fragile peace. Or participate in sustainable development as you meet with those on the frontlines of environmental challenges in Bali. The world is truly your classroom and your favorite Piedmont professors will take you there!

Deadlines

Bali

A tropical paradise where many seek the bliss of a beach vacation also boasts a unique religious and indigenous culture. As you explore the sites of Bali, you will investigate a unique sect of Hinduism that incorporates the mythology and philosophy of Hinduism with black magic, animism and witchcraft. This cocktail of beliefs is central to the lives of Balinese people and shapes cultural attitudes toward many aspects of life, including healthcare. Along the way, you will be introduced to medicine men and women, who use the abundant natural resources in traditional methods of healing.

Courses:

• NASC 4800: Special Topics: Human Behavior and Public Health
• PHRG 3325: Environmental Ethics

Faculty:

• Dr. Julia Schmitz and Rev. Tim Garvin-Leighton
  

Travel Dates:

• May 11-26, 2024
  

Spain

Alhambra. The word translates as “red fort” or “red castle”. In the south of Spain Alhambra’s walls rise above the landscape and evoke a vivid image of a time when the Nasrid Islamic dynasty fought to maintain control before falling to the Catholic monarchy of King Ferdinand. Granada and the south of Spain holds significance in world history and is a culturally rich location in which to learn how to speak Spanish. When you return home, you’ll not only be able to tell the tale of kingdoms and the shaping of a continent, but you’ll also be able to order your favorite paella in Spanish. What could be better?

Courses:

• HIST 1112: World History since Mid-17th Century
  
• SPAN 1101: Spanish I

Faculty:

• Dr. Ryan Franklin and Prof. Jeff Bowers
  

Travel Dates:

• May 13-27
  

Greece

This course will take students through contemporary and ancient epi-centers of Grecian life and explore how the layout, architecture, and artifacts of those places were shaped by and in turn- shaped the lives of the people of Greece. This will include considering the environmental psychology and artworks within our chosen destinations.

We will engage with these cities both physically and observationally - while using analytical thinking and drawing as a way of deepening those experiences. How do we experience these spaces and what do we see within them? How do the older areas of the cities compare to the newer ones? How do the artistic preferences within each city compare?

By being in these places and experiencing them one after the other students will have a deeper appreciation for their particular characteristics and history.

Courses:

• PSYC 4430: Environmental Psychology
  
• ART 3314 or ART 1100 (courses crosslisted so students can get credit for either)

Faculty:

• Dr. Mike Friedline and Prof. Drema Montgomery
  

Travel Dates:

• May 13-25

Croatia

“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon” (Brandon Sanderson). As you explore Croatia, you will learn about Croatia’s people, history and culture by interviewing residents and weaving their words into a story that brings to life an issue facing the Croatian people. Prof. Jackson will guide through understanding the background of the issue, interviewing techniques, filming methods, writing scripts and ultimately editing a short film.

Course:

• MCOM 3425: Documentary Production
  
• MCOM 3100: Global Storytelling: Digital and Visual Promotion

Faculty:

• Dr. Melissa Jackson
  

Travel Dates:

• TBD (May)
  

Costa Rica

On the coffee plantations of Costa Rica, there is a lot at stake. Known for some of the finest coffees in the world, producers must keep a close eye on their crop and the processing of the cocoa beans to ensure their reputation continues. Join Dr. Warnock in the coffee fields of Costa Rica and learn how statistical inference plays a key role in how the coffee producers maintain a high quality product. Use hypothesis testing to check whether there are potential problems in the drying temperature or rainfall that may cause the coffee product to slip in its quality. If you have already taken MATH 1300 or BUSA 2100, you can take this course as a BUSA 4990 and dive deeper into the statistical tools used to maintain quality on the coffee plant. All majors welcome. (Course will be offered immediately prior to a semester at Veritas Universidad if students prefer to stay for additional courses.)

Courses:

• BUSA 2100: Business Analytics I or ACCT 4990: Special Topics
  
• BUSA 2700: Principles of Management or BUSA 4990: Special Topics
• The ACCT 4990 or BUSA 4990 would be a good substitute for BUSA 3500, BUSA 4000, BUSA 4355 or BUSA 4800.

Faculty:

• Dr. Susanna Warnock
  
• Prof. Sandra Maughon

Travel Dates:

• May 15-24, 2024
  

Piedmont University Travel Study