Academics

This program is currently offered during spring semesters only. On this College Study Abroad program in South America, students have the opportunity to enroll in 12-16 semester credits. This program offers four college-level courses (4 credits each). In addition to work done in the classroom, Dragons College Study Abroad semesters are designed to provide students with the experiential opportunities to develop language competence, regional knowledge, intercultural leadership abilities, and research skills.

Dragons has partnered with Naropa University to offer four interdisciplinary courses for credit that extend from our Core Curriculum. The for-credit college courses we offer focus on building important skills, fostering a concern for global issues, expanding self-awareness and gaining an understanding of pertinent issues in each program area. Our approach is both experiential and conventional, using local resources, expert guest lecturers, excursions, pertinent readings, multi-media, and immersion to provide an intimate, well-rounded and powerful learning experience.

Course options include:

• Regional Seminar – Tradition, Change & Cultural Resilience (ANTH 250; 4 credits) – This course is designed to immerse students in the myriad cultures of the Andes and Amazon and their relationship to the land, both as manifest in their understanding of the natural world and agricultural practices. Through a combination of hands-on experiences, workshops, inspiring guest speakers, collaborative lessons, reading and writing assignments as well as independent work, students come to know this material well and the importance of it in the Andes and Amazon. This course surveys issues related to South America’s colonial history, the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures, racial and social conflicts, sustainable development, human rights and globalization. This course is also considered the equivalent of ENV363 at Naropa University.

• Contemplative Intercultural Development and Leadership (ANTH 211; 4 credits)- The process of understanding self in relation to others in our globalized world is essential in the 21st century. The purpose of this course is to carefully examine who we are through the experience of living, learning and engaging in an international context. Students examine global citizenship, develop, examine global citizenship, develop effective leadership skills in intercultural communication and explore the depths of their internal landscape in relationship to the outside world.

• Independent Study Project (ISP) (ISP 325; 4 credits)– This course offers each student the opportunity to conduct in-depth study on a subject of his or her choice. An ISP may involve either an academic focus of inquiry or learning a skill through apprenticeship. Typical ISP projects include: studying sustainable agricultural techniques, Andean folk weaving, an investigation of the coca leaf through various lenses, learning to play the charango, for example.

• Spanish Language Study Level I, II & III Language Study (SPAN 150/250/350; 4 credits) 
  • SPAN 150 Spanish I – Language proficiency is an essential aspect of the program, and daily language classes with an experienced Spanish instructor ensure that students are provided with the language skills needed to engage more deeply with the communities in which they are living and learning. Focus is on foundational vocabulary and key phrases pertinent to the student’s experience. Classes will increasingly focus on improving grammar and pronunciation, as well as learning to read and write in Spanish. For students who are interested in learning as much Spanish as possible while in Bolivia and Peru, there are additional opportunities for supplementary one-on-one tutoring sessions with Dragons instructors or local teachers. Students are tested regularly, and a written and oral exam is required at midcourse and at the conclusion of the course.
  • SPAN 250 Spanish II – Designed to focus on conversational Spanish and grammatical structure, the course is mainly focused on the practical use of spoken Spanish. Students will be expected to read newspaper articles and short stories, responding both orally and in writing. Complex grammatical structures such as the imperfect, subjunctive, and perfect tenses will be introduced. Students are tested regularly, and a written and oral exam is required at mid-course and at the conclusion of the course.
  • SPAN350 Spanish III – Designed to focus on articulate written and formal conversational Spanish, as well as a review of advanced grammatical structure. The course is principally focused on conversational Spanish and spoken fluency. It will also include important aspects of history and literature. Students will be expected to read newspaper articles and literature, responding both orally and in writing. Students are tested regularly, and a written and oral exam is required at mid-course and at the conclusion of the course.

Click on the download button below to view course syllabi.