Course Description
Intensive field study in a tropical Latin American country; crops and cropping systems of tropical America; influences of geography, climate, and socioeconomic factors, as well as the impact of agriculture on the ecosystems of the region. Conducted in a tropical Latin American country.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Completion of an additional research paper.
Athena Title
Agroecol Trop Amer Field Trip
Non-Traditional Format
Students will tour a tropical country and receive on-site instruction at a series of different farms and ecological preserves over a period of 18 days.
Undergraduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Objectives include acquiring knowledge about the biological and ecological context which serve as a backdrop for agricultural and human development. The characteristics, production practices, economic importance and evolutionary trends in several major kinds of crops in the world's food system; understanding how production elements are integrated into farm units and regional and national economies; gaining insight into some biological, technical, social and political problems associated with the exploitation of natural and human resources through agriculture, and to sample the individual and collective responses to these problems; gaining experience in interdisciplinary efforts and to be exposed to career possibilities; and acquiring a more informed appreciation of the similarities in human conditions and aspirations throughout the rural world by experiencing an unfamiliar setting. The course will also enable students to experience the effects of geography on climate, and its subsequent impact on ecology and agriculture.
Topical Outline
Day 1, Meet in Atrium by the Clock Tower 7:30 am at Hartsfield International Airport • Depart, Delta 375, 10:35 am • Arrive San José 12:20 pm • 2:00 pm- Hotel rooftop dining room: program briefing and orientation • Visit Gold Museum: Costa Rican pre-Columbian civilization • Dinner in downtown San José Day 2, Depart 6:00 am • Irazú Volcano: Volcanoes & soil fertility • High elevation vegetable production: Elevation v. climate • Cartago area: High technology agriculture: flowers and leather leaf fern production • 6:00 pm Arrive in Turrialba for the evening Day 3, 9:00 arrive in CATIE: Tropical plant species of economic importance • Return to Turrialba • 7:00 pm: Tropical Plant Family Identification Workshop Day 4, EARTH arrive noon or early pm • Campus tour: Educational opportunities in Latin America • Hike through tropical rain forest: the tropical rain forest as an ecosystem Day 5, Breakfast: 5:00 am; bus leaves dorms at 4:45 am • Class: Spend a morning side by side with EARTH students in a field practicum • Banana production Day 6, Breakfast: 6:00 am • Discussion & demonstration plots: conventional vs organic • Leave for Limón mid morning • Boat ride to Mawamba Lodge, Tortuguero • Afternoon: free time to walk on beach, visit village, hike, swim in pool, etc. • Midnight: look at nesting green turtles (remember dark clothes!) Day 7, Boat dock 7 am • Coastal ecology river trip to observe canals and, explore rain forest • Afternoon - free time • 8 -10 pm: Project briefings Day 8, Boat dock 7 am • Travel Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, arrive after lunch • Stay in Sarapiquí • ½ day off • Optional activities: white water rafting ($35), visit local farms and gardens, hiking on trails, swimming in pool or river, insect museum, etc. Day 9, Breakfast at 6 am • Arrive Arenal Volcano at noon • Geology & soils, rice, pineapple & papaya production • Observe volcano at night Day 10, 7:00 am Depart for La Ensenada • Cattle production • Pasture management in dry forest Day 11, Depart for Ecolodge San Luis • Arrive late afternoon • Small-scale agriculture • Night hike through cloud forest Day 12, 6:00 am: cow milking or bird walk • 7:00 am Return for breakfast • Hike to waterfall, collect insects • Coffee production and processing • Optional: horseback riding ($10) or visit neighboring farms ($5) • 7:00 pm Insect ID and Plant-Insect Interactions Workshop Day 13, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Canopy Walk; the cloud forest ecosystem • Optional activities: Skytrek zipline ($28), Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve ($8); Frog Center ($6); Butterfly garden ($6); Hummingbird gallery, coffee roaster, cheese factory; all free • 5:30 Return to San Luis • 7:00 pm Conservation Workshop Day 14, • 6:00 am Depart for San Miguel • Arrive in pm • Orientation and introduction to San Miguel • Night hike on reef, if tide permits: Reef Ecology Day 15, San Miguel dry forest: the tropical dry forest as an ecosystem • Ocean ecology, snorkel, & tidal pool exploration • Free afternoon: waterfall hike; hike to Cabo Blanco beach; surfing • Evening: Biogeography Workshop Day 16, AM: Workshop: Calculating biodiversity, with marine snails as an example • PM: Student presentations Day 17, Depart for San José • Souvenir shopping in Sarchí • Arrive San José late pm • Farewell dinner in San José (dressy) Day 18, Depart for airport, 11:30 am • Depart Costa Rica Delta 564, 2 pm • Arrive in Atlanta 8:03 pm