Commitment Fee--Culture and Biology of the French Alps

Course: BIOL 223, Topics in Biology or IS 210, Topics in Culture and Civilization (three credits) Instructor: Dr. Kirk Kelley, Professor of Biology Locations: Annecy, Chamonix and Paris, France Program Description This is a course that strives to study the intersection between biology and the people and culture of the Western Alps. There will be two major components to this course. First, there will be an investigation of selected biological topics relevant to the Alps. In order to understand the ecology of the Alps, one must first have a basic understanding of the geology and climatology of the region. Once this foundation is established, students will begin to learn about the ecology of the region. The use of scientific method and the process of science will play a major role in the understanding of these topics. The second component will include a study of French culture, language, and people, especially relating to the Alps. The Alps serve as a unique physical barrier to language and culture between different countries. The region where we will study is very near the convergence of France, Italy, and Switzerland. This provides for a unique regional interaction of languages, cultures, and religion. Some of the activities are designed to bring students closer to the lives of French people and to the patterns of French living, thus gaining some sense of the rhythm of French life. This course fulfills General Education requirements for 3 credits of natural science (BIOL 223) or humanities (IS 210), but not both.