Class: Journey DU

UNIV-4940-998: Journey Down Under
See CANVAS Course Website 


Note: This class is a required course for all students on this study abroad trip.


Objectives
The objectives of this course are:

1. To prepare for your Journey Down Under through selected reading, videos, and research.
2. To guide your exploration and discovery of some of  the geography, history, environments and cultures of Australia and New Zealand. 
3. To reflect upon your travel and learning experiences through carefully composed writing.
4. To communicate the story of your journey in a variety of media using a travel blog.

Participation

What you learn from the scheduled trip activities and events will be proportional to what you invest, i.e. your preparation, attitude, and engagement. You are expected to participate in all scheduled activities and events, and to arrive on time. You are also expected to be fully prepared, conscious, coherent, and engaged in these activities. You should be carefully observing, questioning, and recording the activities. Later you will be reflecting on them. Please notify one of the trip leaders in advance of the activity if you are unable to meet any of these expectations. Participation will comprise 10% of the course grade.

Communication
The official form of communication on this trip will be through the course blog. Check the blog home page, calendar and map frequently for schedule changes. Email  communication will be via your gmail account. Assignments and tests will be administered on the CANVAS course website. More immediate communication will be made using cellphones. Please carry your cellphone with you at all times.


Assignments

Assignments are due on time. Papers should be submitted online to the CANVAS course in response to the assignment postings. Test will be administered online on the CANVAS course.

1. JDU-A1: Read In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson (see Resources). Reading should be complete upon arrival in Australia. There will be a comprehensive test on the reading shortly after we arrive in Sydney. 
2. JDU-A2: View the film Australia (see Resources). Instructor will require a 2-3 page paper of your reflections on the meaning of the film. This paper should be uploaded in response to the assignment posting on course CANVAS website. Due upon arrival in Sydney.
3. JDU-A3: View the film Whale RIder (see Resources). Instructor will require a 2-3 page paper of your reflections on the meaning of the film.  This paper should be uploaded in response to the assignment posting on course CANVAS website.  Due upon arrival in Sydney.
4. JDU-A4: Create a Travel Blog for recording your daily travels. Google's www.blogger.com makes it easy  to do this. The blog should include at minimum the following elements:
1. A written daily posting of the events of your reflections of the events of our trip.
2. Upon returning from your free travel you should provide one reflection of your free travel experiences.
3. Your postings for each location should include reflections on the following:
• The built environment  (related to thesis topic)
• The natural environment 
• The predominant local culture
• A minority culture (e.g. Aborigine, Maori)
• A conversation you had with a native of the place
4. Each entry should be accompanied by your original photos from your photo gallery. Google Picasa is an easy way to store, edit, and share photos. These can be embedded as stills or slide shows in your blog. 
5. In one of your postings for each place, you should include a narrated video of something you did. This task may be shared with another classmate.
6. Post at least one comment (3 sentence minimum) on a classmate's blog entry from each place we visit. Your comment should be your reflection on an entry for which no one else has already commented. You may also comment on other classmate's entries as well as invite your relatives and friends' comments. 
7. All blog entries should demonstrate good communication - thoughtful compositions using proper written English. Visuals and audio should enhance  your communication.
8. All blog entries should be posted no later than the end of the day following the experiences. 
9. Email your instructor the address of your blog before leaving for Australia so it can be referenced from this class blog.
5. (10% max) EXTRA CREDIT: Read a second unabridged book and review the book in a 5 page paper (max 10%). Watch another full length film about Australia (max 5%) and/or New Zealand (max 5%) and review each film in a 2-3 page paper. (see Resources).

Grading

Grades will be evaluated on a 10 point scale. A (90-100), B (80-89.9), C (70-79.9), D (60-69.9), F (<60). Grades in this course will be assigned upon returning to Auburn.


JDU-A1 - 25% - Test on Book
JDU-A2 -   5% - Paper on the film Australia
JDU-A3 -   5% - Paper on the film Whale Rider
JDU-A4 - 55% - Travel Blog
        10%  - Participation
       100% - TOTAL
           10% - Extra Credit