FACULTY- LED PROGRAMS 

Spring 2010

The Cultural Geography of Mexico

Especially designed for teacher-preparation students, geography students, and international studies students, this course on the geography of Latin America will focus on Mexico and culminate with a Spring Break field experience in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where students will learn that "there is no substitute for being there."  A companion course, also designed for teacher-preparation students, on the literary landscapes of Mexico will add an interdisciplinary dimension to the field experience. 

In Guadalajara, Mexico's culturally-rich second city, we reside close to the city's vibrant colonial and commercial center.  A program concluding a two-day excursion to the Pacific coast resort city of  Puerto Vallarta provides a contrast to Guadalajara's traditional urban core.  Students also visit Mexico's largest lake, the town of Tequila (famous for its beverage), and the pueblo of Tlaquepaque, famous for its pottery. Photos from past programs can be seen at http://www.odu.edu/ao/vbhec/images/gallery.php
 

Three mandatory pre-departure workshops will take place on the following Saturdays (9am to noon): January 23, February 6, and February 20.  An additional workshop will be required upon return.  Readings, lectures, oral presentations, a travel journal, and on-ilne activities will be part of the course.  A trip-related paper will be required before the end of the semester.  Teacher-preparation students will relate their written and oral assignments to the Virginia Standards of Learning.
 

*Students must register and pay for Spring 2010 semester credit (GEOG 496/596) in order to participate in this program.  Prerequisite: An introductory geography course or Junior standing, or permission of the instructor.
  

HIGHLIGHTS Guadalajara: colonial, commericial and political center Zapopan         Ballet Folklorico San Juan de Dios market Tlaquepaque artisan & shopping district Town of Tequila & factory visit Puerto Vallarta

Faculty Leader:                                                                                                            Dr. Don Zeigler is Professor of Geography at ODU and works extensively with teacher preparation and certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia; he also taught this course in 2006.

ITINERARY 5 March: Depart Norfolk; arrive in Guadalajara &  evening welcome dinner.      6 March: Intro to Guadalajara  - historical district. Afternoon: San Juan de Dios Mercado               7 March: Morning: Ballet Folklorico, Afternoon: additional city exploration.  8 March: Morning: University lectures on Mexican culture and politics.   Afternoon: lunch with Mexican host family & their foreign student guests.  Evening: excursion to Zapopan         9 March: Day excursion to Tequila with tour of a tequila factory.    10 March: Morning: excursion to nearby Tlaquepaque. Early eve: roundtable discussion.                11 March: Morning: excursion to nearby Lake Chapala region.   Afternoon: optional visit to Casa Bariachi                      12 March: Morning: Depart by bus for western Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta.  Afternoon arrival at Puerto Vallarta      13 March: Free day to explore Puerto Vallarta                14 March: Return to Norfolk. *Subject to Change: The office of Study Abroad reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Dr. Donald Zeigler                                OR          Office of Study Abroad Political Science & Geography                           Spong Hall 212 VBHEC, 1881 Univ. Dr., Va Bch                         Bolling Ave. and Hampton Blvd. 757-368-4113 or dzeigler@odu.edu                 757-683-5378 or studyabroad@odu.edu GEOG 496/596, 3 credits (spring semester registration) Priority Application Deadline: November 13, 2009 Cost Information Download Application  (Turn in application with $250 deposit to the Office of Study Abroad, Spong Hall, Room 212, Norfolk, VA 23509)