Patagonia is a land of extremes- from the dynamic Atlantic coastland up to the glaciers of the Andes. It is this dynamism-removed from the city that makes it an interesting place to experience two things: 1. The sheer power of the natural world; and 2. A land full of organisms that are found nowhere else and that have adapted to these extremes. These courses will be devoted to examining the natural world and our relationship to it- both in Charlotte and in Patagonia. Students will contrast their own experiences at home with what they observe in Patagonia and improve their understanding of the interconnectedness of the natural world and the cultural differences in how we respond to it. In order to foster this understanding, one course will examine the factors that drive species diversification over evolutionary and geological time scales. The other course will be devoted to reading naturalist writers, poetry, and non-fiction to inspire student’s own creative prose and nonfiction that reflects on the ways in which place informs and shifts our identities. While in Patagonia, students will embark on several hikes throughout the region. Trips to Mount Tronador, the Route of the Seven Lakes, Villa La Angostura, and San Martin De los Andes are planned. The natural world is not defined by political boundaries- but by interrelated sets of ecosystems. Changes in one ecosystem produce changes in others. In our local systems, it can be hard to see the relatedness because of development and our own cultural blinders (we have been trained not to look). Traveling to Patagonia and being immersed in a new environment will create the opportunity to understand the ways in which these systems connect and a sense of responsibility to respect them. * Because this course is part of a QLC, students must enroll in two courses in the QLC, one of which must be QLC 340 or QLC 350. Students should keep this in mind when registering for other courses. This course is most appropriate for students interested in Biology, English, Writing, and South American culture. Students must be prepared for lots of hiking (ex. the hike to Mt. Tronador is 5-7 hours one-way carrying light gear), a rugged environment, and rustic accommodations. The academic courses associated with this program is a QLC Learning Community: At the Edge of the World in Patagonia for 9 total credits. It will be taught by Professor Shawn Bowers and Dr. Jeff Thomas This is an OPEN program. The travel component of this course will run for approximately 10 days over Spring Break. *all itinerary items are tentative and subject to change
Quick Facts
Population: 42192494 Capital: Buenos Aires Per-capita GDP: $ 17700 Size: 2780400 km2 Time Zone: (GMT - 03:00 hours) Brasilia
US State Department
Travel Warning: YES See : Country Specific Info.