Archaeology Field School
Summers, ANTH 494, 5-6 credits
The summer archaeology field school is designed to give students a level of competency in the archaeological field process. The course includes intensive instruction in site sampling, excavation, and mapping. Emphasis is given to documentation of stratigraphy and soils, record-keeping, and field photography. Often, students are introduced to the process of geophysical survey. In recent years the field school has been held in Georgia at the Native American province of Capachequi, famously visited by the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto.
For information contact Dr. Dennis Blanton, blantodb@jmu.edu
Ethnographic Experience in Dominica
Alternative Spring Break (ANTH 389)
This is an upper-level anthropology course that centers around JMU’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trip to the Caribbean island of Dominica (not the Dominican Republic). Students will be immersed in the culture of Dominica through meetings and experiences with our hosts and through participation in cultural and eco-tourism activities around the island. Before departing, students will carry out extensive background study of the island's history, culture, and languages, and will formulate individual projects. While in Dominica, students will explore their topics of interest through observation of and first-hand participation in everyday life in home, school, work, and community settings, including a service-learning project with our Dominican partners.
This 3-credit course is offered every two years during the spring semester and requires permission of the instructor.
For more information, contact Dr. Amy Paugh at: paughal@jmu.edu
JMU's Montpelier Archaeology Field School
Summers
The Archaeology Field School at James Madison’s Montpelier is 4 weeks long, and is offered as a 4 credit-hour course.
For more information contact Dr. Julie Solometo solomejp@jmu.edu and visit the Montpelier website.
Sociology Study Abroad Summer Program
This is a 3-credit unit JMU Study Abroad Program that takes place in early summer.
Students will explore a foreign country’s rich cultural heritage and long-lasting legacy. Learn to apply the ‘sociological imagination’ to understand the country’s complex social relations by diving into the everyday life of its population. They will be immersed in the diverse cultural traditions of the country that include spirited festivals, unique cuisine, and language.
- Students will engage in experiential learning, guided tours, and field experiences. For example, students will participate in workshops (dance, ceramics, cooking, etc.) to help them appreciate the artistic and aesthetic cultural traditions of the country. Participants visit archaeological, historical, and cultural sites reflecting the country’s rich diversity. For example, students will explore the diversity of ethnic, religious, and architecture that characterize that country.
- In Seville, for example, participants will experience the richness of Spain’s culture firsthand by staying in homestays with local families during the program.
- All activities/lectures will be conducted in English.
- Current Program Website
Sample cities visited:
- Barcelona
- Cádiz
- Córdoba
- Granada
- Madrid
- Mérida
- Toledo
- Seville
Courses previously offered:
- SOCI 110: Social Issues in a Global Context
- SOCI 336: Race and Ethnicity
- SOCI 363: Sociology of Culture
- SOCI 391: Study Abroad
For more information contact the Program Director:
Yamilette Chacon, Ph.D.
