FACULTY- LED PROGRAMS 

Summer 2010 

 
Casablanca to Marrakech via the Sahara

Morocco is a treasure-trove of diversity: beautiful high mountains, rolling sand dunes, picturesque oases, intriguing Atlantic coastlines, and a fascinating mix of African, Islamic, Arab, Berber, and European influences. This course provides an opportunity for students to learn about and experience some of Morocco's exciting physical and historical geography and its rich cultural and economic diversity.

We arrive in Casablanca, that great legendary city, and then visit Morocco's capital, Rabat. We explore the archaeological site of a huge Roman settlement, Volubilis, and the center of Morocco's first Arab dynasty at Moulay Idris. Mèknes and Fès are two of the great Arab imperial cities; we examine Fès's historic medina, mosques, and museums. Then we cross the Middle and High Atlas Mountains on our way to the Sahara desert. Here in Marzouga we ride camels, and spend a night under the stars in nomad tents, waking up early to watch the sun rise over the dunes.

Next we enjoy a full day in the impressive Dadès Gorges, before driving to Ouarzazate, with its fortified Taourirt kasbah. From the famous classic mud-built kasbah of Aït Benhaddou we go to the fascinating Berber areas in the Anti-Atlas. We spend a day with a Berber family, sharing their life. Then on to Marrakech, where we visit some of the architectural and cultural highlights of that city, including mosques and palaces. On our way back to Casablanca, we stop at the early Phoenician walled coastal city of Essaouira and the Portuguese town of El Jadida on the Atlantic coast.

The class will meet three times on campus prior to the travel to Morocco.  Students will keep a detailed analytical journal, write a short paper on one of the sites we visit and present their research to the group.

 *Students must register and pay for GEOG 495 (undergraduates) or GEOG 595 (graduates) (summer registration) in order to participate in this program. 

HIGHLIGHTS Legendary Casablanca Rabat City Tour Volubilis Roman Ruins Moulay Idriss and Meknès Medina, mosques & medersas of Fès Camel Ride in Marzouga Dadès Gorges Day in the Life of a Berber Aït Benhaddou Kasbah Marrakech Walled City of Essaouira El Jadida

Faculty Leader:                                                                                                              Prof. Drake is a geographer who has led student and teacher groups to many places around the world.  Her interests range widely from cultural and political geography to world resource use and management to development issues in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.  Winner of distinguished teaching awards, she earned her B.A. degree at Oxford before coming to the US, where she earned her Ph.D. at Rutgers University.  She has been teaching at Old Dominion University since 1979.  Prof. Drake has previously led ODU study abroad programs to Morocco, Peru, and Turkey.

ITINERARY 11 May: Depart Norfolk 12 May: Arrival in Casablanca;  city exploration 13 May: Rabat city tour 14 May: Visit Volubilis & Moulay Idris; travel to Meknès 15 May: Explore Meknès; travel to Fès, city tour 16 May: Fès: visit to the Medina  17 May: Fès: visit with family; homestay 18 May: Cross the Middle & High Atlas Mountains en route to Sahara Desert 19 May: Camel ride & camp overnight in Berber tents  20 May: Travel to Dadès Gorge; drive to Ouarzazate 21 May: Aït-Benhaddou (classic, mud-built Kasbah) to Marrakech 22 May: Marrakech 23 May: Day in the Life of a Berber 24 May: Marrakech to walled city of Essaouira 25 May: Essaouira to El Jadida; return to Casablanca 26 May: Depart Casablana, Return to Norfolk * subject to change

Prof. Chris Drake                                OR         Office of Study Abroad Political Science & Geography                        Spong Hall, 2nd Floor BAL 7015                                                            Bolling Ave. & Hampton Blvd.  757-683-4713 or cdrake@odu.edu                757-683-5378 or studyabroad@odu.edu GEOG 495/595 (3 credits) (summer term registration) Priority Application Deadline: February 15, 2010 Cost Information Download Application  (Turn in application with $250 deposit to the Office of Study Abroad, 212 Spong Hall, Bolling Ave. & Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23529)