Field Studies in Geography and Earth Sciences
in the Galapagos Islands,
Andes Mountains
and Tropical Rainforest of Ecuador
(Director: Dr. Betty Smith)

June 28 - July 21, 2004

	Sponsored by  Eastern Illinois University Department of  Geology and Geography School of Continuing Education
CREDIT  This is a special off-campus course providing undergraduate or graduate level or audit semester credits at Eastern Illinois University. Participants enroll in Geography or Earth Science or History or African American Studies (GEG/ESC/HIS/AFR 4998) for 6 summer semester credits and may choose to enroll in an additional 3 fall semester credits of related research (GEG/ESC 4996). One prior geography or earth science course is recommended. Ability to speak or read Spanish is not required. The instructor is fluent in Spanish.
	FEES  The program cost is $3,540. This includes 3 plane tickets (Chicago-Ecuador RT, Quito-jungle RT and Quito-Galapagos RT), first-class boat in the Galapagos Isles, land transportation, lodging, park entry fees, meals, and course materials. Tuition is additional and depends on whether graduate tuition ($125.00/credit) or undergraduate tuition ($118.75/credit) is paid. There is also a delivery fee ($30/credit). To secure a place on the trip, send $150 deposit and the application form below (or you can use the web site application form). Checks should be payable to Eastern Illinois University. Balance of program cost ($3,390) and registration packet materials are due April 15, 2004.  Program fee, tuition and Office of Continuing Education fees will be billed to you by the University.
TO APPLY  Complete the Ecuador Trip Deposit Form below or a photocopy and send it with $150 deposit payable to Eastern Illinois University to Dr. Betty Smith, Dept. of Geology and Geography, 600 Lincoln Ave., Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920. Students will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, so early application is advisable. You will be sent a registration packet from the Office of Continuing Education containing full details.
	ALL APPLICANTS Please indicate on the application form below whether you wish to receive credit in Geography or Earth Science or History or African American Studies and whether you wish undergraduate or graduate or audit credit. Then write a check for $150 payable to Eastern Illinois University.  Full registration forms and fees are due April 15, 2004.
OBJECTIVES  This program will provide a cross cultural and scientific experience as participants, over a three week period of time, traverse and explore unique ecological zones along the equator. The course combines the study of geography, earth science, history and African American studies (we visit Afro-Ecuadorian communities). Participants will study the volcanic landscape forming processes of the region and observe the impacts of these processes on topography, hydrology, soils, various forms of agriculture and settlement patterns. The geography of human environment interactions are examined in the high Andes Mountains, north coast, tropical rainforest of the Ecuadorian Amazon, and on the Galapagos Isles located 600 miles off the coast of South America.
	ITINERARY  We depart from and return to Chicago O’Hare Airport. The point of arrival in Ecuador is Quito, a city located 9,200 feet above sea level with warm dry spring like day-time temperatures and cool temperatures in the evening. We explore four distinct geographic regions, the first two in our private bus. First, volcanoes, villages and markets of the Andes Mountains; second, the north coast; third, the Ecuadorian Amazon, beginning with a flight from Quito to the rainforest, travelling two hours by boat to the lodge; and fourth, the course climax, a five day excursion among the Galapagos Isles (includes airfare to isles and first class boat).
A sample of activities: -  Stay at eco-tourism lodge -  Hike trails through the rainforest -  Ride in boat inside volcano caldera -  Visit volcanoes and ride mule -  Learn global positioning system (GPS) -  Mt. Cotopaxi National Park -  Climb a volcano (optional) -  Cruise among the Galapagos Isles -  Walk trails among blue-footed birds -  Visit the north coast and walk along the beach -  Tropical rainforest ecology, farming, coffee, chocolate -  Cross Continental Divide of the Andes Mountains -  Visit traditional cultures and outdoor markets -  See survey monuments marking the equator -  Beautiful turquoise-colored Lake Quilotoa -  Time to shop and time to learn map-reading skills -  Snorkel and swim among the fish and seals -  Study the volcanic origins of Galapagos Isles

If you have questions, contact Dr. Betty Smith at (217) 549-4900, email cfbes@eiu.edu  Thanks.

FACULTY  Dr. Betty Smith joined the Department of Geology and Geography at Eastern Illinois University in 1995 after receiving her Ph.D. in Geography. She teaches Cultural Geography, Land Use Planning, Geography & Culture of Latin America, Urban Geography, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She has conducted field work in Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina and is fluent in Spanish. She has published in scholarly journals and books. She specializes in human environmental interactions and has spent over a year in Ecuador on ten research and study abroad trips over the past 14 years. Dr. Smith collaborates in research and scholarly writing with Ecuadorian geographers and is President of the Midwest Association for Latin American Studies. Dr. Smith believes there is no better way to acquire knowledge than through the experiential learning of a field course.

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