An Interdisciplinary Program on the Impact of Climate Change on People and the Environment

Spring 2008 & Spring 2010

(12 week) January -April

Observing melting of the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau Alaska, January 2008

Photo: Dan Factor

A Global Studies Program of Hiram College's Study Abroad Office

Overview:

Biomes of the World is an innovative, integrated 12-week academic experience in which participants study in selected Terrestrial, Freshwater, Marine and Human-Dominated Biomes, ecological units that are correlated with responses to regional climate types and life-form responses. The program integrates biomes, from polar to tropical, in the eastern and western hemispheres, from high altitudes to sea level and underwater, from terrestrial to marine and aquatic by examining our current ecological understanding of the biology underlying what we see. The three courses are central to student appreciation of the biome "concept" through a study of ecology in the Biomes course, natural history, human influence and the impact of global warming through the Fictions of Science interdisciplinary course, and through expression of concepts learned and impressions gained through the Travel-Writing course which has a sub theme of nature writing.

Members of the 2008 Biomes Expedition enjoying the generous hospitality of Mahendra Chinai '47 at his home Daria Mahal, Mumbai, India

Courses:

Biology 380 - Biomes of the World

Interdisciplinary 344 - Fictions of Science

Writing 310 - Travel Writing

Application Deadline : 15 March 2009

You will not be charged Hiram room and board for the scheduled days of this trip.

A $60 non-refundable fee will be due at the time you apply. This fee is used to pay for processing costs and an International Student Identity Card. Each student who is officially accepted into the program will pick up an add-slip from the registrars office, have it signed by the professor(s) and return the signed slip to the registrar. You may then proceed with the registration of the course(s) associated with this program.

If you have questions, please feel free to talk with Prof. Dennis Taylor (x5267) or Kimberly Mick, Study Abroad Coordinator (x5160).

"Our climate crisis may, at times, appear to be happening slowly: but in fact it is a PLANETARY EMERGENCY. The Chinese expression for crisis consists of two characters. The first is a symbol for danger; the second is a symbol for opportunity. In order to face down the danger that is stalking us and move through it, we have to first recognize that we are facing a crisis. . . inconvenient truths do not go away just because they are not seen. Indeed, when we do not respond to them, their significance doesn't diminish, it grows." Al Gore

for additional information:

http://abroad.hiram.edu/index.html

HIRAM COLLEGE

Study Abroad Office

Kimberly Mick
Hinsdale Hall 137
Hiram , OH 44234
Phone: (330) 569-5160
Fax: (330) 569-5381
E-mail: mickks at hiram.edu

Dennis Taylor

taylordj at hiram.edu

last updated 16 September 2008

Banner Photo by Mathew J. Wilson