|
USF Mesoamerican Archaeology Field School The USF Mesoamerican Archaeology Field School is a six-week summer research program that will allow students to explore the fascinating world of the ancient Maya and Pech through scientific excavation of one of their villages, El Antiqual, located among the beautiful tropical forests of Roatan Island, Honduras. The program is designed to introduce students to the ways in which archaeology can answer questions about past lifeways and simultaneously contribute to current issues concerning cultural heritage and global tourism. The Bay Islands: “Tucked away in a corner of the Caribbean Sea, the Bay Islands were visited in July of 1502 by Christopher Columbus on his fourth and final voyage to the “New World.” Sighting an island covered by pine trees (‘Bonacca’, or Guanaja), he named it ‘Isla de Pinos’ and claimed it for Spain. According to Fernando Columbus, Christopher’s thirteen year old son who accompanied him on the trip, ‘Having come to the island of Guanaja, the Admiral sent ashore his brother Bartholomew, with two boats. They encountered people who resembled those of the other islands, but had narrower foreheads. They also saw many pine trees and pieces of earth called cálcide which the Indians use to cast copper; some of the sailors thought it was gold.’ Bartolomé de Las Casas (1951), the Spanish Dominican priest and editor of Columbus’ published journal, further tells us that Guanaja ‘tenía como vecinas tres o cuatro islas más…todas estaban bien pobladas.’” From the Project Roatan Field Manual by Dr. Wells and Dr. Davis-Salazar. Academic Program and Course Information Through assisting archaeologists in the field and laboratory, participants will be trained in the methods, theories, and ethics of contemporary archaeology. Participants also will learn about the cultures and history of Mesoamerica through seminars and field trips led by USF faculty, and will gain a broader perspective on the world by living and working in a modern Central American community. This program is designed to allow students to learn and practice methods of archaeological survey, excavation, data collection and materials recovery, recording, and processing, as well as laboratory analysis and artifact cleaning and conservation. Detailed academic information is available on the Project Website: http://uweb.cas.usf.edu/~cwells/roatan Courses ANT 4824 Archaeological Field Methods (3-6 credit hours) ANT 4180, Laboratory Methods in Archaeology (3 credit hours) Dr. E. Christian Wells, Project Director and Field Supervisor Dr. Karla L. Davis-Salazar, Project Director and Laboratory Supervisor Total Price for 2010 TBA Program Includes: Not Included: “We will be living at a research facility, known locally as ‘La Casa Promesa.’ The facility is owned and operated by the Overseas Research Center, a limited liability company founded by Dr. David K. Evans, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology from Wake Forest University, who has conducted research in the area since 1961. The facility was originally constructed in 1998 and used for ethnographic field schools led by Evans through Wake Forest University, but is now a private business that rents the facility to other university‐based education abroad programs. The facility has all the modern conveniences, including electricity (with a backup generator), indoor plumbing (with hot water), filtered drinking water, a full‐sized modern kitchen, a washer and dryer for laundry, and on‐site caretakers who oversee the property, regularly clean the facilities, and cook meals for the staff and students. Since the facility was designed by a university professor for use with undergraduate students, every measure has been taken to insure safety and security.” From the Project Roatan Field Manual by Dr. Wells and Dr. Davis-Salazar. All majors are welcomed. The application process begins with contacting the Program Directors. Program Applications are submitted to Dr. Christian Wells or Dr. Karla Davis-Salazar http://uweb.cas.usf.edu/~cwells/roatan. Acceptance is at the discretion of the Program Directors. Once accepted into the program, you must complete the Education Abroad Application, Participant Contract, Medical Questionnaire, and Liability Waiver. http://global.usf.edu/educationabroad/out-howtoapply.php. In addition, your Course Approval form must be signed by Professor Wells. The deadline for applying is January 20, 2009. Pending availability, additional registrations may be accepted after this date. Next, you must take your completed Education Abroad application packet to the Education Abroad Office (468 Cooper Hall). A $500 program deposit will be placed on your OASIS account, and you will be given a form to take with you to the Cashier’s office to remit payment. You may also mail or fax completed applications to: USF Education Abroad Office In-person Checks should be payable to USF ***Please write Honduras Field School 2009 in the memo portion of the check, and include your student U number on the top of the check.*** Credit Cards: Please note that if you are using a credit card and paying on-line (service fee applies), you may NOT choose how the payment will be applied. For example, if you have housing, parking or library charges, your on-line payment will be applied to these fees first. You may avoid this and still pay by credit card by going in person to the cashier’s office. By mail: USF Cashier ***Please write Honduras Field School 2009 in the memo portion of the check, and include your student U number on the top of the check.*** Payment Schedule: How and When to Pay In-country program fees The balance of program fees is payable in full by April 1, 2009. Program fees will be posted by the Education Abroad Office to the student’s account on OASIS. Instructional and Administrative fees Each participant is responsible for their own airfare (~$650 from Houston or Miami). Some flights pass through San Pedro Sula (Honduras), but there are occasionally direct flights on weekends. You need to arrive on Sunday, June 7 and depart on Saturday, July 18. If you cannot find a flight for these dates, you may arrive Saturday, June 6 and/or depart Sunday, July 19. But please let me know your itinerary so that we can get you to and from the airport on time. Airlines servicing Roatán Island (airport code: RTB) include American, Continental, and TACA. Please feel free to contact other field school participants if you wish to arrange to travel together. Medical Insurance and Travel Documentation All participants must be in possession of a valid U.S. Passport, or a valid passport from their country of residence. It is the responsibility of non-U.S. program participants to learn visa requirements and obtain their visa before travel. USF provides program participants with sickness/accident and emergency medical evacuation insurance for the dates of the program. Those who will travel independently, either in advance of the program or after the program ends, must ensure that they have insurance coverage valid outside the U.S. The USF Card Center sells the International Student ID (ISIC) card which has a health insurance benefit in addition to providing student discounts overseas. For information, call the Card Center at (813) 974-2357 or visit the office located in the Marshall Center on the USF Tampa campus. Financial Aid and Scholarship Funding Students who are eligible for loans and grants to take classes at USF may be able to use their assistance to study abroad. USF students should contact the University of South Florida Office of Financial Aid (813) 974-4700 or visit http://usfweb2.usf.edu/finaid/other/alternative_enrollment_guide.htm for further information. USF students may apply for partial scholarship assistance through the Education Abroad Office. Application deadlines apply. Visit the Education Abroad office to obtain a Compass Study Abroad Scholarship brochure and application form, or access: http://global.usf.edu/educationabroad Participants’ safety and well-being are paramount to USF. Because of the added stresses associated with operating in a foreign culture and language, even the safest foreign locations are likely to carry more risk to your safety and health. For this reason, it is vital that you learn as much as possible about the places you will be traveling to; the more you are familiar with the host country’s geography, culture and language, the safer you will be. All participants will be required to attend a general study abroad orientation as well as program-specific orientations. In addition to these sessions, you should consult the USF Education Abroad Safety Website at http://global.usf.edu/educationabroad/out-safety.php, as well as the websites listed below that provide useful information regarding your host country, and preparation for your international travel. Country Information Preparing for your trip: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roat%C3%A1n Cancellation and Refund Policy Once deposit has been paid, $300 is non-refundable. The remainder of the deposit is only refundable if the funds have not yet been committed or can be recovered from program providers. After the April 1 balance of payment due date, no money paid may be refunded. Once the program has started, no refund will be given for unused features or services due to early withdrawal from the program. Trip cancellation insurance is recommended. If USF must cancel the program, all program fees paid will be refunded. Students should review carefully the Education Abroad Participant Contract, included in the Education Abroad application packet. It describes students’ responsibilities with regard to participation, and includes important information including insurance and cancellation and refund policies Students will be asked to sign this document. Access: http://global.usf.edu/educationabroad to view it. Questions regarding study abroad, program enrollment, registration and payment of fees Program Coordinator: Rene Sanchez Questions pertaining to the in-country academic program, course or credits Faculty Contact: E. Christian Wells |
|
