BeyondBorderstheYucatan
Humanities, Photography, and Literature
with a case study on the central Yucatan peninsula
Question+Answers
Immersive
Course
What is a 9 credit integrated course module and
why should I take it?
A nine-credit integrated course are three related classes offered by three professors who are working together to create a stimulating and varied learning environment. It’s an enriching, innovative, unique academic experience, deeper and more connected than a typical class. You’ll develop deeper relationships with the professors and other students, and make connections between classes and disciplines. In this module, our three classes will be united by the idea culture integrated with a studio art course focusing on photography. Plus, you’re also meeting three different general education requirements.
What is expected as a student?
As a student you will be expected to: discuss concepts, expand your writing skills, learn new skills in digital design, and expand your ability to think critically and consciously. You’ll also be expected to contribute to a vibrant, flexible, connected community of students and professors and to invest in your education. You’ll be expected to make connections across the integrated classes and to make these connections outside of class as well as we travel as a group to Mexico over spring break.
Travel
Could you talk about the travel component?
The travel component is an opportunity not simply to travel to another country—to Mexico—but to experience another “America” through an educational living/learning environment. We will also take field trips to visit various cultural landmarks on the Yucatan pennisula.
On the more practical, fiscal side, a non-refundable course fee of $950 will cover your plane ticket from Boston, MA, lodging and some other expenses in Mexico. If you are eligible for financial aid, this cost could possibly be added to your award. Each student is requested to bring $350 for food and any additional travel expenses. Students are expected to make travel arrangements to and from Boston Logan Airport.
What about financial aid and travel?
Financial aid funds may be utilized to assist financial aid eligible students with the course fees charged for this course. Additional charges incurred are the responsibility of the student-i.e. passport expenses. For further guidance or clarification, please contact Student Financial Services at 207-621-3455 or via email at umafa@maine.edu.
Are you aware of the University of Maine System health insurance requirements?
All students in programs that require health insurance and those registered for 9 credit hours or more will automatically be enrolled and their student account will be billed for the SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) spring/summer premium of $1079. Students who already have health insurance coverage and do not wish to participate in the SHIP will have an opportunity, starting November 2018, to withdraw from this coverage and charge via an on-line waiver process at www.crossagency.com/uma. Also starting in November, students who meet the criteria and wish to take advantage of the SHIP and/or have no other health insurance coverage can complete the on-line enrollment steps to proactively confirm their enrollment. Students will be notified through MaineStreet Message Center when the waiver/enrollment forms are available. Timely enrollment will initiate access to their insurance ID card and benefits on the effective date of the policy (January 1), thus maximizing the value of the policy. The deadline for waiving the SHIP is February 20, 2019 (new spring and transfer students only).
For more information: https://www.uma.edu/compliance/student-insurance/
Who can I work with to make the courses fit with
my graduation check sheet?
We encourage students to make an appointment with UMA’s Academic Advising. For further guidance, please contact Tricia Dyer, Director of Advising, at 207.621.3144 or via email at triciad@maine.edu.
Class Schedule
SPRING 2019
Courses meet online and
Every Friday All day
ART+LIT courses meet 9-11:30am
HUM course meet 1-3:45pm
on the Augusta Campus-RRSC
Mexico Travel dates+Info
Spring Break
March 14- 23, 2019
Proposed Flight Info
Current flights roundtrip Boston to Cancun
[ note flights could change ]
Departing, 5am—14.Mar Boston Arriving 12:45pm Cancun
Return
Departing Cancun, 10:20am
23.Mar Arriving BOS 7:20pm
Research by past alum
[ link to CUBA alumni research 2016 CUBA: Cultural Understanding Between the Arts]
Course
How do I sign-up?
To take this integrated course students must sign up for HUM 389: Special Topics: Beyond Borders: The Yucatan
and take the other courses—Art 109 and ENG375.
Or just take one of the other courses—Art 109 and ENG375. The non-refundable course fee will be attached to the HUM 389 course. For more information and to apply online.
When does the class meet Spring 2019 ?
The classes meet all day Friday. Some of the course material and work for the course is completed online. ART109 meets in the morning 9-11:30 and ENG375 is mostly online with 4 morning meetings during the semester. Friday afternoon meetings [noon-3:30pm] combining lecture, discussion, group activities, and travel discussions are held in the HUM389.
What kinds of assignments will we do?
The assignments for this course (in additional to weekly readings) include projects like photo/video, book making and web exercises, writing exercises, etc.
How will I be graded?
You will receive a separate grade for each class that is based on assignments for that class as well as your overall participation in the integrated experience. During our travel, you will be expected to keep a journal, participate in evening debriefing activities, and report on your experience upon your return.
How can I Find Out More?
Come to one of our informational sessions, or contact Robert Rainey at robert.rainey@maine.edu.