Mediterranean Ecology Traveling Seminar
Spring 2020 J-Term

About the Program

Explore the Mediterranean Basin; the largest example of the Mediterranean biome. This area boasts 25 thousand plant species, about 15% of all known plant species on earth, and serves as the perfect ecology classroom. In this program you’ll examine the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Basin as well as the human-derived impacts on the region. Course content will be delivered through multiple site visits, guest lectures, and in-class meetings. You’ll have the opportunity to select the subject area that best meets your needs from the list of courses available. 

Travel to Marseille, France; Aix-en-Provence, France; Nice, France; and Barcelona, Spain! Check out the latest program itinerary for more details.

Program Structure

You’ll enroll in 1 course that meets for a total of 45 contact hours/3 credits. You may earn a total of 3 credits (up to 45 contact hours).

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred course and be enrolled accordingly. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

Avignon and the Pont du Gard

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Visit the Papal Palace in Avignon, one of Europe's largest, most important medieval Gothic buildings. Once a fortress and palace, the papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. Next, explore the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the 1st century. The Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges and among the best-preserved.

Les Baux de Provence

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First stop: Baux de Provence, a medieval fortified town with breath-taking views, to tour a hilltop chateau and learn about medieval Provence. Next, experience a mind-blowing audiovisual art show projected on limestone quarry walls at Les Carriéres. Enjoy a group lunch at Mas de la Pyramide, a quarry dating from Roman times that's now an agricultural museum featuring three centuries of farm life and trades.

Arles

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A key headquarters for Roman military campaigns and center of the Christianization of Gaul, Arles offers windows to a colorful past. The Roman Empire's influence can still be seen in Arles; architecture, baths, aqueduct, mills, amphitheater, and more. Walking between the remnants of pillars and arches, it's easy to forget you're visiting an ancient part of Provence, especially when the ferias and other bull festivals charge the air with excitement.

The Luberon

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The Luberon is a lush, green national park where mountain ranges surround a sweeping valley dotted with castles and unbelievable fairy-tale villages thought to be among the most beautiful in France. Stroll along the Sorgue River, which flows from an unknown source deep under Fountaine-de-Vaucluse; hike the red/orange/yellow ochre hills of Roussillon; and explore Gordes, a local commune. Can you discover the café where Russell Crowe filmed his scenes with Marion Cotillard for the movie A Good Year?