This program brings together two aspects of our world—the natural world and the world of human activity. We will combine and draw connections between geology and social behavior. We cannot understand human behavior—social, cultural, religious, artistic, political, economic—without an appreciation for geology, the processes that produce the landforms we see and the minerals we use. The life of the nomads of Mongolia is a visible example of how landforms, mineral resources, weather, vegetation, and other aspects of land shape our lives. Likewise, we need to understand how we shape our land. The essence of this abroad is to learn to draw connections between geology and social behavior. We will do this as a moving learning community, traveling throughout Mongolia, observing deserts, steppes, forests, mountains and glaciers, visiting mining operations, and meeting with Mongolians of all walks of life.
The Mongolia Abroad is an intensive, two-quarter multi-disciplinary learning program. During spring quarter, 2007, we will study contemporary issues in Mongolia (Special Studies 285) as we develop into a fit learning team (PE: Team Dynamics). During summer, 2007, we will spend eight intensive weeks in Mongolia—learning some of the geology, culture, religion, history, politics, geography, and arts. We will study the cultural influences on society, and conduct our own individualized research projects on topics of public policy.
Each student will undertake an original field research project that combines an understanding of geology and human behavior. The research, initiated by the student, may include participation; on-site visits, accompanied by discussion and analysis; meetings with public officials and private citizens; tours and lectures at geologic, cultural or historic sites and events (including the national games at Naadam); cross-country travel and short treks; visits with nomads and Mongolian college students; and constant debriefings and personal reflection. We will spend time in the capital and only city of Ulaanbaatar, and undertake numerous trips around the country, including into the Gobi Desert, across the Hangay Mountains, and trekking in the distant Altai mountain range. As a learning team, we will share our insights and discoveries, and assist each other in our explorations.