Geography
has long enjoyed a tradition of field study, and many geographers
consider field work to be an essential skill in their trade.
VU Geography is pleased to embrace this tradition through
its many exciting field study opportunities. In addition
to the numerous field trips conducted as a part of courses
like Geomorphology and the Regional Geography of the United
States, the Department offers a number of individual field
courses under the GEO 385/585 listing. Specific courses
include the following: Indian
Reservations,
Yellowstone, The
Sonoran Desert, Volcanic
Craters and Shield Volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii,
and
Glaciers of Alaska. See
below for a detailed listing of
upcoming and
past courses
offerings.
The past several Spring Breaks, VU field courses
have visited the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona (including
Saguaro and Chiricahua National Monuments), the Grand Canyon
(and other national park sites in Arizona, including Canyon
de Chelly and Petrified Forest), the major Indian mound sites
of the South (including Cahokia, Russel Cave National Monument,
and Etowah), and the volcanoes and lava flows of the Big Island
of Hawaii. In past summers students have toured the eastern
half of the historic Oregon Trail, following its course into
Wyoming, visiting Yellowstone National Park and Devils Tower
National Monument before returning east via the Black Hills
and Badlands of South Dakota.
Courses
Glaciers of Alaska
Geo 385/585 (3 credits)
Volcanic
Craters and Shield Volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii
Geo 385/585 (3 credits)
Sonoran
Desert GEO 385/585 (3 credits)
Field Study: Plains Indians:
Conflicts, Resistance, and Reseravations
This field course will leave Valpo, drive to
the Great Plains, and visit the main "battle" sites
of the Plains Indians--a revisit of "Bury My Heart at
Wounded Knee." We will investigate the following sites:
Fort Sill (Geronimo), Washita, Sand Creek, Fort Robinson,
Little BIg Horn, and Wounded Knee. We will also visit, and
in most cases stay at the following reservations: Crow, Northern
Cheyenne, Pine Ridge, Rosebud reservationa dn trust land of
the Kiowa Commanche and Apache.
Students need the permission of Dr.
Ronald A. Janke to take the course. phone 219-464-5139.
Class size is limited.
Past Courses
Field Study: Yellowstone National
Park GEO-385-A (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the basics
of field observation methods through a sampling of several
important historic and geologic landmarks in the West. The
trip may include stops at:
Chimney Rock National Historic Site, Nebraska
Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska
Independence Rock State Historic Site, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Custer State Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
There are especially good hiking opportunities
at a number of these sites, especially Yellowstone, Grand
Teton, and Custer State Park. Previous groups have enjoyed
some excellent hikes and have even seen a bear and her cub!
Class size will be limited, with Prof. Kilpinen
accepting deposits early in the Spring Semester. The cost
of this trip will be $500, which includes transportation,
lodging, guidebook, and entry fees. For more information,
visit the Yellowstone
field course on-line preview.
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Additions
and corrections for this page may be directed to Jon
T. Kilpinen