African Adventure
THIS PROGRAM IS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
| Introduction | Objectives | Kenya | Description | Evaluation | Cost | Schedule | Application |
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A University of North Alabama Summer Program in Kenya Sponsored by the Department of Geography and the College of Arts and Sciences Directed by: Dr. Francis Koti UNA Box 5228, Florence, AL 35632-0001 TEL: (256)-765-4219; Email: ftkoti@una.edu |
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Downloadable Application form (word); Program Brochure (.rtf)
The Department of Geography at the University of North Alabama invites you to an exciting and unforgettable educational opportunity in Kenya. This 3-week seminar will involve travel to Kenya, in the first summer term in 2007 to learn about and experience the physical environment and indigenous cultures of Kenya. This is a 3-credit hour graduate and undergraduate Geography course – and will be offered as:
The program is open to ALL UNA students, students from other universities, K-12 teachers and community members.
Program Introduction
Current trends in world affairs, information flows, technological advancement, economic interdependence between nations and regions, movement and transfer of goods and people, continue to show increasing levels of interaction at the global scale. Specifically, the globalization of production and consumption of goods and services and its associated political, economic, socio-cultural and spatial implications have made the world even smaller. As a result, previously marginalized areas such as Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as issues of change, difference and diversity have become central to higher education learning and research. As educators, we are faced with the responsibility of availing to our students, opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills that will prepare them adequately as future decision-makers in a rapidly changing world. One way of doing this is to introduce them to less-dominant perspectives and cultures, since their effectiveness as future decision-makers will be influenced by their multiple perspectives gained through higher education.
Purpose and Objectives of the Program
Learning through lived experience and travel, is not only fun, but also a rare opportunity in college education. The general purpose of this seminar is to provide UNA students and K-12 teachers in the State of Alabama an opportunity to diversify their educational experience through “living it and seeing it” in the natural environment. More specifically, the seminar is intended to give our students a chance to broaden their knowledge of Africa by immersing themselves in the Kenyan society and its cultures and also to experience the interplay of culture, economics, politics and environment in the context of change. It is anticipated that by the end of the workshop, students will gain an understanding of:
It is hoped that this experience will broaden students’ perspectives about the world and make them more aware and sensitive to non-Western cultures. It is also hoped that this experience will form the basis of reflection about who we are as Americans and how and why we fit into the global community. Ultimately, students will earn credit from the Kenyan field experience towards their respective degree requirements.
Kenya is located in East Africa and well within the tropics. Situated right along the equator, the country spans latitudinally Northwards to approximately 5º North and 4.4º to the South, and straddles between 33º East and 41º East. It borders Ethiopia to the North, Somalia to the East, the Indian Ocean to the Southeast, Tanzania to the South, Uganda to the West, and Sudan to the Northwest. With a land area of 225,000 sq. miles, Kenya is twice the size of Nevada, and slightly smaller than the State of Texas. Kenya’s climate is largely tropical. However, variations of arid, semi-arid and wetter climates develop further inland. Kenya’s physiography is varied and diverse. From the coast in the Indian Ocean, low lying plains gradually rise to the central highlands which house the highest mountain peak in the land, Mt. Kenya. The highlands are bisected by the Great Rift Valley, and to the West of the Rift Valley is the fertile western plateau which adjoins Lake Victoria, the second largest fresh water lake in the world. With close to 34 million people (2005 estimates), Kenya’s population is ethnically diverse, but more importantly, very hospitable.
Why Kenya
Several educational and social factors make Kenya the logical choice of this summer seminar here at UNA. In terms of educational concerns, the University of North Alabama’s Geography Department has expertise and experience in both teaching and research in Kenya. Similarly, Kenya has a well developed educational infrastructure and well trained local experts in various fields to adequately accommodate the needs of UNA students. Furthermore, well trained university professors will deliver lectures on selected subjects to UNA students to fulfill the specific objectives of the program.
A host of social and safety factors make Kenya even more appropriate for this program. First, is the legendary hospitality of Kenyans. One component of this seminar is interaction with local cultures and people through living with families. Fortunately, Kenyans have a history of being very hospitable and welcoming. UNA students will encounter friendly people in their host-families and also in all parts of the country during their travels.
Second, another important element of this course is extensive in-country travel within a relatively short period of time. Fortunately, Kenya’s transportation and communication network is sufficiently developed to accommodate needs of educational travel. Transportation or communication issues will therefore not mar the smooth running of the program.
These educational and social concerns are buttressed by a relatively stable political system. Kenya is regarded as the most politically stable country in Africa. For example, it is the only country in the Eastern and Central African region not to have become involved in an external conflict, making it the host nation for peace negotiations for its neighbors. Despite travel warnings associated with recent events in the Middle East, the country of Kenya is considered relatively safe for travel by American students. These reasons and others make Kenya the logical choice for this UNA summer seminar.
Course Description and Structure
This seminar will be offered as a 3 (or 6)-credit hour undergraduate and or graduate Geography course. It can either be taken as GE 497 – Special Topics in Geography and or GE 603 – Regional Geography for K-12 Teachers with a focus on Africa. The course will mainly focus on (but will not be limited to) three broad themes: the human and physical environment of Kenya’s Rift Valley; the socio-spatial dynamics of a modern African city, and; the historical geography of the East African coast. The program will involve a three-week stay in Kenya during which participants will attend lectures on selected topics on Kenya delivered by Kenyan experts, participate in field excursions in and around the City of Nairobi, travel to the Kenyan Rift Valley, and the East African Coast. During these field trips, learning will take place in the context of personal experiences, reading assigned material, field observations, listening and note taking, and taking photos and making sketches.
The following topics will form the basis of discussion for the three broad themes:
a) Human and Physical Environment of Kenya’s Rift Valley
· Geomorphic processes within the East African Rift Valley system with a focus on volcanic activities in the Lake Naivasha area.
· Documenting the volcanic landscapes of Kenya’s Rift Valley
· Indigenous farming systems in Kenya’s rift valley and their impacts on the natural environment.
· Commercial farming and its impacts on the fragile tropical ecosystems of Kenya – focus on Lake Naivasha region.
· Farming systems on the Mau Escarpment
b) Social and Spatial Dynamics of a Modern African City: Case of Nairobi, Kenya
c) The Historical Geography of the East African Coast
d) Intercultural Experience – Photo and written documentation of personal experiences and observations. Major focus on:
Students will be required to: 1) take detailed notes during the informal lectures and guided tours to different places of interest; 2) keep a written diary of their experiences, activities and observations on a daily basis; and 3) make sketches and keep a photo diary of important features and aspects of the workshop. Upon return, the workshop materials: notes, photos, activities, will be compiled and presented to the instructor. Depending on the level of course (undergraduate or graduate), the program materials will be presented in 4 parts:
a) A well written finished report on the workshop based on guidelines and questions to be given prior to the program. This report is due to the Instructor 2 weeks upon return to the US.
b) A digital self-explanatory PowerPoint slide show (mainly photos and text clips) detailing the student’s experiences and observations (also reflecting the contents of the paper in (a) above) during the workshop and lessons learned. The PowerPoint slide shows will be posted on the Program website for future participants.
c) 1 short perception quiz – to be taken before the trip and the same quiz administered after the trip to test how the trip might have changed your perception of Africa’s physical and human environment.
d) Personal diary (in its original form) – reflecting daily experiences, observations and events.
From the above-mentioned criteria: final report; PowerPoint slide show; perception quiz; and a diary, a letter grade (A, B, C, D or F) will be awarded based on UNA’s standard grading scheme. A detailed syllabus, course structure, requirements and the specific grading scheme for the undergraduate and graduate credit will be provided prior to the program. Program participants may also be called upon (optional) to make presentations of their experiences during UNAs Global Culture Week and or the Phi Beta Delta (International Honor Society on campus) events.
Course Credit
This seminar will be offered as a 3 (or 6)-credit hour course as: GE 497 – Special Topics in Geography and or GE 603 – Regional Geography for K-12 Teachers. A total of 6 hours may be earned from this program.
Enrollment
This course is limited to 15 registered participants. However, a minimum of 10 registrations is required or the course may be cancelled.
The cost of the program is $3099.00 for all students and $3170.00 for community members). This includes:
Costs not included in the budget
Payment Schedule:
The above expenses will be paid in 3 installments.
January 30th 2007 – payment of initial deposit of $1750.00 towards purchase of air ticket. This includes $10.00 ($15.00 for community) non-refundable application fee.
February 28th 2007 – payment of $1000.00 towards visa fee payment, accommodation, etc
March 30th 2007 – payment of remaining balance of $349.00 ($420.00 - Community)
NOTE: UNA tuition of $441.00 ($510.00 - graduate) must be paid directly to the University.
Checks should be made payable to: “UNA in Kenya” and can be paid in person or mailed to:
Dr. Francis Koti or Pam Bishop
Department of Geography
University of North Alabama
UNA Box 5228
Florence, AL 35632-0001
Tel: 256-765-4219 (Koti); 256-765-4626 (Pam)
Email: ftkoti@una.edu
Important:
-Tue Jun 5th, 2007 - Leave US – Huntsville International Airport
-Wed Jun 6th, 2007 - Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya, check in guest house
-Thu Jun 7th, 2007 - Rest day, change money, and other
-Fri Jun 8th, 2007 - Participants meet their host families. Depart from guest house to homes of host families.
-Sat Jun 9th, - Sun Jun 10th, 2007 - Activities with Host families
Mon Jun 11th, - Fri Jun 15th, 2007 - In Nairobi
-Lectures, urban walk, urban drive, the Kenya Animal Orphanage, Giraffe Centre, National Museums of Kenya, Bomas of Kenya, Kenyatta and Nairobi Universities, Nairobi National Park, Maasai Market
-Thu Jun 14th, 2007 – Arrival of community members; Check in with host families; Rest next day (Fri. Jun15th, 2007) and change money.
Sat Jun 16th, - Tue Jun 19th, 2007 - In the Rift Valley
-Travel to Naivasha in the Rift Valley – Tue Check in at Elsamere Field Study Centre, Lake Naivasha fauna and flora, economic practices around the lake, Geothermal power production, Hells Gate National Park, afternoon walk in the Ol Jorowa Gorge, the crater lake, Climbing Mt. Longonot, Lake Sonachi, Lake Nakuru National Park, Leave for Nairobi (Jun 19th).
Wed Jun 20th, 2007- Sun Jun 24th, 2007 – Kenyan Coast
-Check in Kanamai Conference Center – Mombasa, then Fort Jesus, Bamburi Nature Trail, Ngomongo village, a Giriama village, Gedi Ruins, Vasco da Gama pillar, Watamu Island, Wasini Island, Shimoni, leave for Nairobi.
-Mon Jun 25th, 2007 - Rest day; shopping, activities with host families, begin packing
-Tue Jun 26th, 2007 – shopping; packing;
-Tue Jun 26th, 2007: All program participants check in back to guesthouse
Wed Jun 27th, 2007 – Leave Kenya for the US
-Thu Jun 28th, 2007 - Arrive in the US - Huntsville, AL.
Travel Preparations
Rules and Regulations
Every participant in the project will be a University of North Alabama’s ambassador to Kenya. As such, the university’s code of conduct will apply in the entire period you will be in Kenya. For questions regarding code of conduct for UNA students, please refer to University of North Alabama’s Student Handbook.
Community Members
This program is open to the UNA Community and others from outside. Community participation will be limited to the last two weeks in Kenya. The cost of the program for the community participants is: $3170.00. The payment schedule will be the same for all. Community members wishing to stay in the entire program must make arrangements with Dr. Koti to work on the modalities including the cost implication.
Registration:
Due to the limited number of spaces in this seminar, admission is on a first-come-first-served-basis. To rest assured of space in the program, please fill out the application form below and bring it in person or send it to:
Dr. Francis Koti – Program Director or Pam Bishop – Geography Department Secretary
Department of Geography
University of North Alabama
Wesleyan Hall Room 111(Pam); 112 (Koti)
UNA Box 5228 Florence, AL, 35632-0001
Program Website: http://www2.una.edu/ftkoti/unakenya.htm
Financial Aid information:
Please contact UNA's financial aid office for assistance.
Application Form Downloadable Application Form Downloadable Brochure
HERITAGE AND CONTEMPORARY AFRICA: A KENYAN EXPERIENCE
(Official names) Last First Middle
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Social Security # ________________UNA Student Id #: ______________M (__); F (__)
Status (Indicate one): FR (___); SO (___); JR (___); SR (___) Other (______________)
State of residence: _________________________
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Telephone (______)_________________(Home) (______)_________________ (Cell)
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Parent's or Guardian’s full names:
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Parent's Address: (if different from permanent address)
Street Apt. # City State Zip Code
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In the event of an emergency, UNA should notify:
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I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information I have provided above is complete and accurate.
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Signature of Applicant Today’s Date