Monmouth offers many opportunities to study away from campus from a short time, particularly during Scots Terms and Spring Break. Our faculty lead 7-to 15-day trips concentrating on one or two subject areas; they give students the chance to learn and explore without the commitment of a full semester.
A variety of experiences
Scots Term programs incorporate group activities into their curriculum and provide enriching global engagement. Past Scots Term classes have given students the chance to travel to rainforests, islands, deserts, and cities to have hands-on lessons that can’t be taught inside a classroom. Each course offers course credit between 0.25-1 credit, depending on the program.
Flexibility means more trips
The courses offered are rarely the same, but always once in a lifetime. It’s a bonus that students have the opportunity to enroll in several trips throughout their Monmouth experience. Each trip includes: roundtrip airfare from the departure hub; international health insurance; lodging; entrance fees for museums, cultural sites, and events related to the course. Depending on the program, either some or all meals will be provided.
Round trip flight from Chicago, IL to Punta Cana, DR
Transportation while in the Dominican Republic
Lodging while abroad
Meals while abroad
Insurance for the duration of the course
Tours, admission to locations, and excursions
Highlights:
Spelunking in multiple caves
Ringing in the New Year with fireworks in Santo Domingo
Whitewater rafting the only navigable rapids in the Caribbean
Climbing Pico Durante, the highest peak in the Caribbean (10,164 ft)
Ascending and descending the 27 waterfalls of Damajagur
Boat tour of Parque Nacional Los Haitises
Regular hiking excursions and beach visits
Course goals:
Gain an understanding of the history of the DR and what this teaches us about its current society.
Learn how European colonization has shaped the culture.
Appreciate the different ecosystems in the DR (coastline, urban, desert, highlands), what organisms are found there, as well as the effects of the landscape on the locals.
*Non-third party trip ($95 non-refundable deposit fee is required)
**If you only want to attend the trip, waitlist yourself for BIOL290A in J-term and you will receive .5 credit upon completion (you will need to keep a journal during and write a short paper after the trip). If you want this to count for your GL (Global Learning) requirement, also sign up for BIOL290 during the 2nd half of the fall semester, between the two courses- this will give you a full credit of GL. You are also welcome to take BIOL290 whether you need GL credit or not.
May Term 2024
Dates: 05/22/24-05/31/24
Professors: Dr. Ryan Colclasure, Dr. Janet Ugolino & Dr. Sydney Greenwalt
Academic Credit: .5 Credit (BIO 290A or PSYC 290A) or 1 Credit (BIO 290 or PSYC 290)*
Cost: $3,643
Included:
Round trip flight
Transportation while in Costa Rica
Lodging while abroad
Meals while abroad
Tours, admission to locations, and excursions (per the itinerary)
Local Guide
Highlights:
Canal Tour
Tortuguero National Park
Caribbean Conservation Cooperation Museum
River Kayaking Tour
Red-eyed tree frog night walk
Hot Springs visit
Volcano Park visit
Snorkeling
Whitewater rafting
Course Goals:
Understand the basic ecologic and cultural aspects of Costa Rica and become familiar with current environmental and social issues.
Explore the influence of culture on human behavior, identifying similarities and differences between American and Costa Rican Culture.
Develop cultural insight and sensitivity.
*If you only want to attend the trip, waitlist yourself for BIO 290A or PSYC 290A in May Term and you will receive .5 credit upon completion. If you want to count this course for your GL (Global Learning) requirement also sign up for BIO 290 or PSYC 290 during the second half of the spring semester, between these two courses- this will give you a full credit of GL. You are welcome to take the course whether you need the GL credit or not.
Past Courses:
Classical rhetoric in Greece
Cross Cultural Psychology of post-apartheid South Africa
Scottish writing and literature
The business of the wine industry in Australia
Ancient History and travel writing in Japan
The biodiversity of Belize and Guatemala
Cross Cultural Psychology in Italy
Terminology
Scots Term - a short-term course that will take place during a January or May term, giving students the chance to go abroad without having to dedicate a semester to study abroad
J-Term (January term) - the period starting soon after Christmas and ending just before Spring semester starts in January.
May Term - the period starting soon after graduation and ending just before or early in June.
