Field Study and Study USA Courses
Sign up for new Study USA courses
Interested in learning when new Study USA courses are available? Email us with your first and last name to join the Study USA Interest list. We'll notify you the minute travel advisories have changed or when a new program becomes available.
Be one of the first to find out where Study USA is going next.
Field Study Courses
Experiential Farms Skills: Summer FAIR 297G
Dates: June 20 - July 28, 2023
Time: Face-to-Face; F 9 - 11:40 a.m.
Faculty: Terri Lynne Kempton
2 credits
Prerequisites: None
This course provides an opportunity for students to explore food and regenerative agriculture, while developing hands-on organic farming skills. This summer class will meet for 3 hours a week on the Farm. We will maximize hands-in-the-dirt time during the busy season on the farm: planting, weeding, composting, harvesting, mulching, saving seeds, and beekeeping. Students will also learn about permaculture concepts, ecosystem maintenance, and food justice. Readings from the text Greenhorns: The Next Generation of American Farmers; written reflections, and a narrative self-evaluation round out this course.
Art, Science & Ethics of Fly Fishing: ESCI 315
Dates: August 28 - September 9, 2023. On campus August 28 - September 1. Travel to Idaho for fly fishing and camping, September 4 - 9.
Time: Face-to-Face; MTWRF 4:30 - 8 p.m.
Faculty: Leo Bodensteiner & Donald Meyer
3 credits
Prerequisites: Yes, see ClassFinder for more details
The goals of this course are to learn how to fly fish and to use fly fishing as a window into environmental studies and, more specifically, into the structure and function of river ecosystems and how people interact with them. Class format includes lectures, discussions, and laboratory and field exercises to gain insight into stream ecology and to understand relations of science, ethics, and environmental management. Offered summer only.
Geologic Mapping: GEOL 410
Dates: June 20 - July 28, 2023
Time: Face-to-Face; field study, tent camping, rigorous field mapping course
Faculty: Bernard A. Housen
6 credits
Prerequisites: Yes, see ClassFinder for more details
Application of geological field methods to making geological maps and reports of specific areas; supervised investigation of one or more map areas. Contact the Geology Dept. for more information.
Agroecology and Resilient Communities: UEPP 410/ENVS 410
Dates: July 29 - 30, 2023, Inspiration Farms. August 4 - 6, San Juan Islands.
Time: Face-to-Face; see ClassFinder for more details
Faculty: Dan Nessly
4 credits
Prerequisites: Yes, see ClassFinder for more details
Ecological concepts and principles applied to design and management of sustainable food production systems. Consideration given to food and farm politics and economics, as well as the experience of place and policies for relocalization. Includes case studies and laboratory/field experience in sustainable agriculture horticulture and strategies for resilience.
Wetland Plant Identification: ESCI 477
Dates: June 21 - July 17, 2023
Time: Face to Face; MWF, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Faculty: Thomas "Abe" Lloyd
4 credits
Prerequisites: Yes, see ClassFinder for more details
Through field trips and laboratory work, learn to identify wetland trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation located in Western Washington. This class is appropriate for students who would like an introduction to wetland vegetation, professionals seeking training on identifying difficult taxa like willows, grasses, sedges and rushes, and nature enthusiasts keen to expand their knowledge of regional flora through the lens of wetlands.