Courses and Faculty

Required Courses

GEOG 333: Latin America [GE D.1]
This class explores the origin and current status of nature and culture in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a special focus on Brazil. We investigate the region's diverse physical landscapes and historical settlement patterns through field reconnaissance in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, Bahia, as well as the rural landscape in and around the Diamond Plateau National Park. You will learn about Latin America's principal environmental and social challenges, including population, urbanization, agricultural modernization, ethnicity, religious diversity, and environmental degradation. Field study locations will include favelas of Rio de Janeiro; the landform development of inselbergs (including Sugar Loaf Mountain); the Paço Imperial (Emperor's Palace); Ipanema Beach (Rio's cultural center); carnival preparation; colonial Salvador; the slave museum; the maritime museum; Candomblé religious ceremony; Sao Joaquim open Afro-market; demonstration of Angolan capoeira; Olodun Afro-Brazilian drummer group; Morro de São Paulo natural area; Praia de Forte (old fishing settlement); ecotourism venues in the Diamond Plateau National Park; and many others.

GEOG 452: Ecotourism
Tourism represents the single largest industry in the world, and ecotourism is one of its fastest growing sectors. Ecotourist development strategies are touted by developing world governments and environmental organizations for their purported complementary role in economic development and nature conservation. This course investigates the strengths and weaknesses of ecotourism as a development and conservation strategy, with a focus on the natural landscapes of Brazil. Beginning with an introduction to the geography and history of nature tourism, we critically evaluate the ability of ecotourism to accommodate the following needs: economic development in less developed countries; socio-economic benefits to local communities; enhanced inter-cultural understanding; nature conservation, and incentives for further nature conservation activities. These themes will be explored experientially and in depth in Brazil's Atlantic Coastal Tropical Rainforests, and in the Diamond Plateau National Park, one of the premier ecotourism venues in the country.

Faculty

Dr. Robert Voeks

Dr. Voeks has been carrying out research in Brazil for 25 years. He is fluent in Portuguese and very familiar with the lesser-known geographical highlights of eastern Brazil. His research focuses on tropical rainforest ecology and conservation, traditional healing systems, African culture in Latin America, and ecotourism development. In addition to scholarly articles, he is author of: Sacred Leaves of Candomble: African Magic, Medicine and Religion in Brazil (1997), and African Ethnobotany in the Americas (2012, with John Rashford). He is currently in Brazil studying the wild animals used by Afro-Brazilian healers in magic and medicine ceremonies.

Office: H- 407
Office Telephone: (657) 278-3361
Email address: rvoeks@fullerton.edu

Registration

After your application is approved, we will register you in your selected classes. After you are registered, you will be notified to go online and pay tuition for your Summer units. All adds, drops or schedule changes must be completed prior to leaving for this trip.

Summer 2013 tuition is separate from the program fees and will be paid through Student Financial Services after enrollment is complete.

Brazil Study Abroad Student Statement

Brazil study abroad students are expected to attend their registered classes, unless there is a medical reason which prevents them from doing so, and to adhere to all behavioral norms established on their respective campuses. Additionally, they are required to follow the laws and regulations, and respect the cultural mores, national traditions and customs of the host country.