Honors Learning Community Fall 2005

MESA VERDE CENTENNIAL LEARNING COMMUNITY

REALLY GET IN TO THE FOUR CORNERS

 experience and study in the canyons, ruins, and mountains

                     --This is the most beautiful place on Earth, Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire

Mesa Verde National Park and the Four Corners region of the Southwest provide some of the most breath-taking landscapes in the world.  They also provide the setting for the most unforgettable learning experiences of a lifetime.  Explore the high alpine environment of the San Juan Mountains and the deep canyon country of the desert Southwest.  Go backpacking, rafting, and sleuth through ancient ruins during your first semester of College and become involved in an international cultural event.

THE CENTENNIAL

During the 2005-2006 school year, Fort Lewis College will celebrate the Centennial of Mesa Verde National Park.  Mesa Verde is one of the crown jewels of the National Park System.  It is also a World Heritage Site, recognized by the United Nations as one of the most important archeological, cultural, and ecological locations on the planet.  During the 2005-2006 academic year, Fort Lewis will host a variety of campus and community events to celebrate the rich heritage of Mesa Verde and the greater Southwestern Region.

This event will draw attention from the local, national, and international communities.

THE MESA VERDE HONORS LEARNING COMMUNITY

In the Fall semester, up to 25 freshman will be able to participate in an Honors Learning Community focusing upon the Centennial and Mesa Verde National Park.  Students will take two courses:  ANTH120 Anthropology of the Southwest and SW131 Southwest History and culture.  In addition, they will enroll in Freshman Seminar and Honors Seminar.  The two core courses focus on the history, cultures, and natural environment of the Southwest.  The seminars will provide students with hands-on experience in the park and also two field trips in the region, including the National Parks but also to the Colorado River and eastern Utah’s canyon country.  Students with interests in archeology, anthropology, sociology, Southwest studies, geology, geography, nature writing, painting and photography will benefit greatly from this experience as will those with interests in the outdoors and establishing a new sense of place.

FACULTY

Kate Niles, MFA,  General and Exploratory Studies

Chuck Riggs, Ph.D. Anthropology

Peter J. McCormick, Ph.D., Southwest Studies and American Indian Studies

Chris Nute, Outdoor Pursuits

THE COURSES

ANTH120, Anthropology of the Southwest

SW131, Southwest History and Culture

GS100, Freshman Seminar: Mesa Verde

HON220, Honors Seminar: Mesa Verde

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE (some are optional)

Kayaking Animas River, Orientation weekend

River Trip:  Ruby and Horsethief Canyons, Colorado and Utah, September 23-25

Cedar Mesa, Arches National Park, Utah,October 13-16

Mesa Verde National Park, various times

1-2 Credit Courses available in addition to the core

Archeology of Hovenweep and the Canyon of the Ancients

Archeology of Chaco Canyon

Forests, Fire, and Ecology in the Southwest

Heritage Tourism and Indian Casinos

Contact

Dr. Peter McCormick

Department of Southwest Studies

Fort Lewis College

1000 Rim Drive

Durango, CO  81301

mccormick_p@fortlewis.edu