Exploration Seminars are designed to enhance your understanding of an on-campus course through firsthand observation. Your classroom professor leads the seminar during either fall or spring mid-semester break. These 9-day domestic and international trips are an exciting introduction to the joys and rigors of purpose-driven travel.
 

Explorations Seminar opportunities are available for both Fall 2011 and Spring 2012.

 

Applications due: September 16, 2011

 

Inquiry 100 (Exploration, Adventure and Risk)

Kirsten Diederich, Biology

Estimated seminar cost: $2,450

We all have travel and adventure stories. Whether it's the stories of the road trip in the family car or a trip to some distant part of the planet, we all tell stories about being away from home and sometimes being at risk. We enjoy telling stories about the times we have been out of place. And we have been telling these stories for centuries. This course examines the issues brought to light in travel and adventure narratives. From climbing Everest to sailing the oceans to flying small airplanes, we will talk about conquest, self-discovery, science and a good bit more. How do our goals influence how we value what we see and experience? How do we think about the literature of travel and its relation to any kind of accuracy or truth? Extra-curricular activities for this class often include introductory scuba and flight lessons as well as exotic foods. You will have the option to participate in travel abroad over mid-semester break to Scotland to hike the West Highland Way - one of the world's great trekking trails that passes by Loch Lomond and various mountain passes as the scenery gets better day by day.
  

Applications due: November 18, 2011
Spring Exploration Seminar Application & Timetable
Spring Exploration Seminar Financial Aid Information

Ancient Stars and Brand New Earth: Astronomy and Geology in Hawai'i
Earth Science 104 (Introductory Astronomy: Solar System), Earth Science 106 (Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies), Earth Science 302 (Geology), or Credo 222 (Life in the Universe)
Paul Seifert, Physics
Estimated seminar cost: $2,250

Just imagine spending seven sunny spring days on sandy beaches and watching nighttime skies ablaze in stars, all set in Hawaii's pristine island ecology. In Hilo and Kona we'll begin an investigation into the formation of the solar system and learn how astronomers study the heavens using telescopes and spacecraft. The lower latitude of Hilo helps us see much of the southern sky that is not visible from Moorhead, such as the Southern Cross, Alpha Centauri and much more of the Milky Way. We'll also travel up 14,000 feet to the summit of Mauna Kea to see some of the largest and best telescopes on earth. We'll learn about the inner workings of stars, the formation of stars and planets and the large-scale structure of the universe. Students will also explore volcanoes, lava flows and other volcanic features unique to Hawaii, including the green, black and white sand beaches.

Dublin as Character in Lit and Film
English 346 or English 439
Dawn Duncan, English
Estimated seminar cost: $2,000

Dublin is one of the great cities of the world, and as such it has been the setting for some of the greatest books and films. Two authors epitomize the Dubliner, making of their city a central character in all of their work. The first, James Joyce, changed literature forever with Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Ulysses, modern experiments in fiction that turned all eyes to his native city. The second, Roddy Doyle, is a contemporary author known especially for his comedic wit. Doyle's novels, The Commitments, The Van, and The Snapper, were made into popular films. An exploration of Dublin as character in the literary and film works of these two authors will open up the city, its history, people, culture, and music.

Mozart, Czech Nationalism, and the Music of World War II in Prague
Music 232
Jeff Meyer, Music
Estimated seminar cost: $2,100

Have you ever wanted to experience where Mozart conducted his own compositions like "The Magic Flute," dine in a classic cellar pub, or see performances in five world-class concert halls? We'll do this and also see the most beautiful architecture in Europe as we journey through Prague's sights, culture and music. We'll learn why Prague was so beloved by Mozart and was important to his life, travels and career. We'll attend a performance of one of his operas at the Estates Theatre, the same theatre in which Mozart premiered "Don Giovanni," and visit Bertramka, the villa where Mozart stayed. We'll encounter how Czech nationalism is expressed in the visual and musical arts through museums dedicated to Smetana and Dvorák, two beloved Czech composers, and experience one of their operas in the stunning 19th century National Theatre. We'll also see Terezin where many important Czech artists and cultural leaders were held before being transferred to Nazi concentration camps. Their works, especially those composed within the confines of the camp itself, are not only exquisite, but also reveal the unique and difficult situation in which they found themselves. We'll also take time to enjoy walks through Prague Castle, Old Town Square, the Charles Bridge and the Jewish Quarter.

Egypt: Ancient and Modern Christianity and Islam
Open to Religion 100, concurrent, or to those who have already completed the Religion 100 core requirement
Michael Johnson, Religion, and Elna Solvang, Religion
Estimated seminar cost: $2,695

Who had thought that you would ride a camel, climb Mt. Sinai, snorkel in the Red Sea, and visit ancient pyramids during your Spring break? The 2011 Exploration Seminar to Egypt will allow you to all this and more. We will be traveling to Egypt to explore its religious, historical, social and political significance, both past and present. Our seminar is organized around Egypt's "three lives": Pharaonic, Christian and Islamic. Through expertly guided visits to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and to the pyramids, temples and tombs of Giza, Memphis and Luxor, we will consider culture, religions and artifact more than 5,000 years old, including the storied reigns of Cheops, Tutankhamen and Nefertari. At ancient churches in Cairo and at Wadi Natrun we will meet Coptic monastics who practice a distinct form of Christianity going back to the Apostle Mark. We will also journey through the desert to St Catherine's Monastery to see sixth century Christian-Orthodox icons and to join pilgrims from all over the world for a climb of Mt. Sinai to witness the sunrise over the desert just as Moses did. Lastly, we will visit some of the great mosques of Egypt in order to observe and engage firsthand modern Islamic life and practice. Of course, Egypt also is an important country for learning more about contemporary Middle Eastern politics and about the social, political and economic challenges a modern Middle Eastern country is facing today. We will have an opportunity to witness the work done among the very poor by the Sisters of Charity. This seminar will give you a window into ancient and contemporary Egyptian life with a view to its diversity, its potential and problems, and its world significance. In short, this Seminar will give you a window into ancient and contemporary Egyptian life with a view to its diversity, its potential and problems, and its world significance.
Includes full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) most days.

Vienna - City of Dreams
German/Music 362R
Madelyn Burchill, German, and Lucy Thrasher, Music
Estimated seminar cost: $2,200

Vienna - the very name sets one's thoughts to music. The undisputed world capital of classical music will be our setting to explore and enhance our understanding of the art song genre and the cultural setting that gave it life. Mozart, Schubert, Mahler, Strauss and Schönberg head the list of Austrian composers we will study. We'll experience opera, concerts and recitals in the elegant settings of the Staatsoper and Volksoper. We'll visit Schonbrunn and Belvedere palaces to understand the opulence and beauty of a period that was the definition of elegance. No trip to Vienna would be complete without a stop at its famous coffee houses that inspired the conversations and dialogues of our composers and greatest thinkers. A day trip to Melk Abbey and a day at the Vienna International School with a Cobber who teaches music will add to an unforgettable week in one of the world's most beautiful and influential cities on the romantic Danube. This is an interdisciplinary course and either department may grant credit.

Spirit of Tokyo
History 343 (Modern Japanese Society)*
*pending approval of the Curriculum Committee
Linda L. Johnson, History
Estimated seminar cost: $2,195

See the best of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture in Tokyo. You will be staying at an award-winning ryōkan (inn), with futon (bedding) and ofuro (bath), in a residential neighborhood near the atmospheric, old downtown of Tokyo. Highlights of the seminar include: Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple and the shops that have delighted pilgrims and travelers; the Ghibli Museum and Park, inspired by the artistic vision of Miyazaki Hayao; Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world and a great photo opportunity; and the centers of Tokyo cool - Harajuku and Shibuya. You will eat at a restaurant dedicated to the sport of sumo, a rice-bowl café in the Ginza, and have opportunities for ramen and sushi. Activities will include a tea ceremony and flower arranging. And there will be ample time to pursue your own interests in this cosmopolitan capital.

Hong Kong - West Meets East
Religion 100, concurrent or previously completed
Jan Pranger, Religion, and Hilda Koster, Religion
Estimated seminar cost: $2,195

The fascinating global city of Hong Kong has long been a place where cultures and religions of East and West encounter each other. Long the last remaining outpost of the British colonial empire in Asia, today Hong Kong is a separate administrative region within China that is, again, at the center of the meeting between rising China and North America and Europe. One of the world's major financial and economic centers, Hong Kong is an example of the social and cultural changes which globalization is bringing. The major religions of the world, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Chinese religions are also all abundantly present and coexist in peaceful plurality. We will explore this religious plurality as we stay at the tranquil Tao Fong Shan center - a beautiful retreat on a lush mountaintop just 20 minutes from bustling downtown Kowloon that was started by the Swedish Lutheran missionary Karl Reichelt to promote relations between Christians and Buddhists. From here we will explore such topics as the rise of Christianity and other religions in China and the dialogue between religions, while visiting Buddhist and Chinese temples, the Hong Kong Lutheran seminary, the Institute for Sino-Christian studies, and other places of religious interests. At the same time we will explore Hong Kong by crossing Victoria harbor in the world famous Star ferry, enjoying the dazzling lightshow of the harbor front sky scrapers, visiting the Peak, exploring the city's rich history and art, taking a cable car ride to the world's largest Buddha statue, exploring Hong Kong's many markets, and seeing many other of the attractions which this dynamic city has to offer. Come join us for an unforgettable journey to a world both strangely familiar and different.

End of Life Care for the 21st Century: Premier Care Your Parents Will Expect
Open to Nursing Management N430, concurrent or upcoming
Jack Rydell, Nursing
Estimated seminar cost: $1,475

We will be traveling to sunny Fort Myers, Florida to visit one of the premier communities in the country providing end of life care like no other. With a significant retired population, this community has been progressive in its approach to providing end of life care with amenities the baby boomer generation and future generations have come to expect. We will visit the Hope Hospice program, which is a cutting-edge hospice program in the United States. During our visit we will have the opportunity to experience the Hope Hospice House Fort Myers facility. We will also visit the Shellpoint Village Retirement facility, and the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, both exemplar retirement communities. We will tour the Lee Memorial Health System, which is an acute care facility with a palliative care program. Lastly, we will venture into the community of Fort Myers to visit a community based Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which will provide a view of care for the elderly in their home setting. Additional sight-seeing activities may include Disney World, Minnesota Twins spring training facility, deep sea fishing, Busch Gardens, shopping, and time at the beach.

Exploring Health, Culture and Vocation in Jamaica
Nursing 351, completed or concurrent, or with permission of the instructor
Jill Holmstrom, Nursing
Estimated seminar cost: $1,875

Spend your spring break discovering the true Jamaica. While there, we will spend the week immersing ourselves in the local culture, while dispelling common myths. We will tour different health care facilities and explore the difference between American and Jamaican health care systems. We will also spend time with the regional Red Cross learning how this organization handles natural and man-made disasters on the island with limited resources available to them. Discover how Bob Marley single-handedly prevented civil war on the island when we visit his mausoleum in Nine Mile. We will also explore the natural beauty of the island during our day of adventure, which will include a visit to the Jamaican mountains and the world famous Rick's Café. Free time will be given so you can explore the beaches and shops of Negril and Montego Bay. You will also be given the opportunity to meet one of the original Jamaican Olympic bobsled team members that the movie Cool Runnings was based on. The price of this seminar includes all meals while on the island so you will have the opportunity to try many different traditional Jamaican meals.

Classical Mythology in the Land of Heroes
Classical Studies 120
Heather Gruber, Classical Studies, and Edward Schmoll, Classical Studies
Estimated seminar cost: $2,300

The Classical Studies Department is offering an exploration seminar in conjunction with its popular course Classical Mythology in Art and Literature (CL120H). Our time is limited and while every mountain, spring, grove, valley, and ruin is redolent of myth we will be visiting some of the most famous sites ever trodden by gods and heroes, places which students thus far have only seen or read of in books: The Acropolis, sacred to Athena and the home of Athens' first king; Eleusis, where the Earth Mother was worshiped for nearly 1900 years; Corinth, home of the wily Sisyphus, where Jason betrayed Medea, and where Bellerophon tamed the winged horse Pegasus; Nemea and Lerna, the sites of Herakles' first and second labors; Mycenae, the cursed site where the grisly events of the House of Atreus played themselves out; and last, Delphi, the most sacred sanctuary in Greece and the home of the oracle of Apollo. We will also view the artifacts which time and chance have preserved for each of these sites.

Importance of Place: Literature and Life in Arctic Norway
English 160RG; Psychology 206S, Scandinavian Studies 201HG, or with permission of an instructor
Lisa Sethre-Hofstad, Psychology, and Joan Kopperud, English
Estimated Seminar Cost: $2,575

Join us for Arctic adventures in northern Norway. We will experience first-hand this stunning region of Norway to better understand their powerful sense of place, with its unique relationship to land, animals, climate, and culture north of the Arctic Circle. The city of Tromsø will be our home-base as we venture out to see how Norwegian life and literature are impacted by the region's location more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Don't let the weather scare you off--the ocean currents keep the temperatures surprisingly moderate in February. In fact, it is colder in Moorhead than Tromsø in February.
Experience travel by cable car for breathtaking views from atop Fløya and visit Tusseladden Barnehage, an outdoor childcare center, to see how place influences children and families in this part of Norway. Tour the fascinating Polar Museum to gain a sense of Arctic exploration over time. Come with us to the northern most university in the world, the University of Tromsø, where we'll learn more about how place affects Arctic people, even the sense of vocation for many. Midweek we will participate in an outdoor Nordic adventure, such as dog sledding, fishing in the North Sea, or an overnight stay in Sami lavuu tents. (Only the usual winter wear is required; participants need not bring special clothing or gear for the trip.) Throughout the week, we'll be on late-night look-out for, hopefully, a spectacular display of Northern Lights, known in Norway as the Nordlys. Stay tuned for more adventure details.
"Importance of Place: Literature and Life in Arctic Norway" is an Exploration Seminar not to be missed. Visit with Lisa Sethre-Hofstad, Psychology, or Joan Kopperud, English, for more details. Others who are interested should visit with either professor regarding other courses that may satisfy Exploration qualifications.