San Ramón Courses – 2023 Summer Session II

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Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.

Courses

You may take three to seven credits in Session I and three to five credits in Session II. Session II students taking intensive Spanish as one of their courses may take six credits. At least one 3-credit course is required each session you are enrolled. Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change.

Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.

Spanish Language and Literature Studies

Summer language courses are intensive, with one to five credits of Spanish taught in each session. Language courses have a maximum enrollment of 15 students each. Spanish Conversation and Oral Skills is highly recommended to complement Intermediate Spanish I through Advanced Spanish II.

Session I

• Elementary Spanish I

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 100-level 4 credits Taught in Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 100-level 4 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.

• Intermediate Spanish I

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 200-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.

  Prerequisite: two semesters of college Spanish, or equivalent

• Spanish Composition I

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  The focus of this course is to improve learners´ written abilities through the analysis and the production of different types of texts. In addition, several grammatical topics will be reviewed in order to enhance and refine the learners´ grammatical competence.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college Spanish.

• Advanced Spanish I

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  These two advanced courses of Spanish have been designed for students who may manage in daily tasks and interactions, but still need to improve their control over different oral and written registers. In addition, these courses will offer them the opportunity to enhance their vocabulary in specific and technical areas, and to improve grammatical accuracy in their oral and written expression.

  Prerequisite: six semesters of college Spanish.

• Spanish Conversation and Oral Skills

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 300-level 1-3 credits Taught in Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 300-level 1-3 credits Taught in Spanish

  An optional two-credit course addressed to students that have already completed a year of Spanish at the elementary level and want to start participating in the oral activities that the immersion setting facilitates.

  Prerequisite: two semesters of college Spanish.

• Spanish for Health Professions

  Summer Session I

  Community Health Sciences Spanish 300-level 2 credits Taught in Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Community Health Sciences Spanish 300-level 2 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course will provide students with the knowledge of the basic structures of the Spanish language, and the specialized medical vocabulary needed to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients in a variety of health care situations. Moreover, an understanding and appreciation of cultural differences in the health perceptions of Spanish-speaking patients will be developed. This course is appropriate for all health-related disciplines.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college Spanish.

Session II

• Elementary Spanish II

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 100-level 4 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.

  Prerequisite: one semester of college Spanish.

• Intermediate Spanish II

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 200-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.

  Prerequisite: two semesters of college Spanish, or equivalent

• Spanish Composition II

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  The focus of this course is to improve learners´ written abilities through the analysis and the production of different types of texts. In addition, several grammatical topics will be reviewed in order to enhance and refine the learners´ grammatical competence.

  Prerequisite: five semesters of college Spanish.

• Advanced Spanish II

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  These two advanced courses of Spanish have been designed for students who may manage in daily tasks and interactions, but still need to improve their control over different oral and written registers. In addition, these courses will offer them the opportunity to enhance their vocabulary in specific and technical areas, and to improve grammatical accuracy in their oral and written expression.

  Prerequisite: six semesters of college Spanish.

• Spanish Conversation and Oral Skills

  Summer Session I

  Spanish 300-level 1-3 credits Taught in Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Spanish 300-level 1-3 credits Taught in Spanish

  An optional two-credit course addressed to students that have already completed a year of Spanish at the elementary level and want to start participating in the oral activities that the immersion setting facilitates.

  Prerequisite: two semesters of college Spanish.

• Spanish for Health Professions

  Summer Session I

  Community Health Sciences Spanish 300-level 2 credits Taught in Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Community Health Sciences Spanish 300-level 2 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course will provide students with the knowledge of the basic structures of the Spanish language, and the specialized medical vocabulary needed to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients in a variety of health care situations. Moreover, an understanding and appreciation of cultural differences in the health perceptions of Spanish-speaking patients will be developed. This course is appropriate for all health-related disciplines.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college Spanish.

Life and Health Sciences and Culture Studies

The following courses focus on health science and the culture, environment, and ecology of Costa Rica. Students taking tropical life science courses will have access to a biology laboratory for their research studies. To take a field study course, you must also register for the accompanying science course. Most field study courses have daylong trips; however, some require overnight stays.

Session I

• Dances of Latin America

  Summer Session I

  Dance 100-level 1 credit Taught in English/Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Dance 100-level 1 credit Taught in English/Spanish

  Students will physically connect with Latin American culture through dance and music. This course will cover traditional dances such as Cha-Cha, Son, Bolero, Merengue, Salsa, Guaracha, and Cumbia. Students will also improve Spanish language and vocabulary as it pertains to dance commands.

• Global Health

  Summer Session I

  Community Health Sciences Health Ecology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course is directed towards the student who wants to deepen his/her knowledge of global health and how preventive and promotive work can be carried on from an international perspective. Provides an introduction to problems involved in assessing international health needs and designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating public health programs in international settings. Topics include: issues in global health; major health problems and concerns of developing vs. developed countries; international health organizations; international health care systems and health development assistance; development of population/demographic transition; the global economy and health; access to medical care; cultural differences; emerging crises in global health.

• Latin American Cuisine

  Summer Session I

  Nutrition 200-level 1 credit Taught in English/Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Nutrition 200-level 1 credit Taught in English/Spanish

  An introduction to a local cuisine in a hands-on kitchen environment. Authentic preparations of several local dishes will be taught. Correct cooking techniques are emphasized. Readings and lectures on local food customs and traditions will support and contextualize the cooking instruction. Students will learn about Latin American culture, and practice conversing and following instructions in the Spanish language.

  Dietary restrictions may not be accommodated.

  This course has an additional fee.

• Sustainable Development: Women and the Environment

  Summer Session I

  Environmental Science Sociology Women's Studies / Gender Studies 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Students in the class will explore the challenging issues of women and the environment as part of a more significant issue of environmental degradation, climate change, inequality, and poverty. This course will address how women interface with crucial ecological concerns such as water, energy, land use, and biodiversity conservation. Moreover, it aims to build a broad understanding of how women and their children adapt to the world’s changing climatic conditions. Finally, it looks at women as active organizers and participants in building a more sustainable society on local and international levels.

• Tropical Conservation Biology

  Summer Session I

  Biology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Tropical Conservation Biology is the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity. In this course, students will gain an understanding of evolutionary and ecological factors that shape patterns of tropical diversity. Topics covered include 1) the impacts of global warming, species invasions, and habitat destruction on biodiversity, 2) strategies developed to combat these threats, and 3) a consideration of key economic and ethical trade-offs.

  Prerequisite: one year of general biology with lab.

• Tropical Conservation Biology Field Study

  Summer Session I

  Biology 400-level 1 credit Taught in English

  This field study course consists of three field trips to different habitats, the cloud forest, dry forest, and rain forest. The objectives of these visits will be to better understand the topics covered in the lectures such as individual, population and community level ecological processes, and adaptations to various environments.

  Co-requisite: Tropical Conservation or Tropical Ecology.

• Tropical Ecology

  Summer Session I

  Biology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Summer Session II

  Biology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Tropical ecology is the relationship between plants and animals in a tropical environment. Tropical zones are distinguished because they occur in the latitudes that lay between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. These tropical latitudes have distinct physical, climatic, and biotic characteristics. As a result, tropical ecosystems are among the most diverse in the world. Tropical ecosystems are very diverse and encompass rainforests, dry deciduous forests, highland forests, paramos, coastal areas, spiny forests, deserts, and other habitat types. Each one of these ecosystems has a unique species composition and ecological relationships among them. Thus, studying tropical ecology is essential to understand the modern ecology. Moreover, since 1980, 288 million hectares (21%) of tropical forest areas have been deforested, while the human population in tropical countries has nearly doubled. The study of tropical ecosystems cannot be detached from conservation. The best way to ensure that these ecosystems will be conserved is to provide future generations with the proper theoretical, practical, and critical skills related to these special ecosystems and their conservation. This course will introduce students to tropical ecosystems and their general characteristics, focusing on the ecological and evolutionary relationships found in tropics. Students will also learn about some of the tropical research done in Costa Rica and other regions. This class will also explore the unique characteristics of several of the ecosystems found within the tropics and compare species found in different tropical regions. Students will explore how tropical ecosystems impact the temperate regions and what is needed to conserve these ecosystems. The course will also have a strong experimental component and students will learn how to develop experiments to answer ecological questions and how to employ simple statistical analyses to test hypotheses.

  Prerequisite: one year of college-level biology with lab.

• Tropical Ecology Field Study

  Summer Session I

  Biology 300-level 1 credit Taught in English

  This field study course consists of three field trips to different habitats (one day field trip and two overnight field trips). The objectives of these visits will be to better understand the topics covered in the lectures such as individual, population, and community level ecological processes, and adaptations to various environments. Through the field study portion of Tropical Ecology, the students will gain a greater appreciation for ecological adaptations, ecological succession, sustainability, the value of biodiversity, and long-term ecological research.

  May be taken in addition to the session's 6-credit maximum.

  This course has an additional fee for field trips.

  Co-requisite: Tropical Ecology.

Session II

• Dances of Latin America

  Summer Session I

  Dance 100-level 1 credit Taught in English/Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Dance 100-level 1 credit Taught in English/Spanish

  Students will physically connect with Latin American culture through dance and music. This course will cover traditional dances such as Cha-Cha, Son, Bolero, Merengue, Salsa, Guaracha, and Cumbia. Students will also improve Spanish language and vocabulary as it pertains to dance commands.

• Ecology and Population Biology

  Summer Session II

  Biology Environmental Science 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Ecology studies the interaction of organisms with the biotic and abiotic environment; population biology studies the distribution and movement of organisms in the natural world. This should ideally act as a biology major capstone course for it incorporates many themes related to biology. Students will touch on many biological principles that they should already be familiar with. Students will gain an appreciation of ecological principles as they relate to the natural world.

  Prerequisite: one year of general biology with lab.

• Ecology and Population Biology Field Study

  Summer Session II

  Biology Environmental Science 300-level 1 credit Taught in English

  This field study course consists of two field trips to different habitats. The objectives of these visits will be to better understand the topics covered in the lectures such as individual, population and community level ecological processes, and adaptations to various environments. Concurrent enrollment in Ecology and Population Biology is required.

  This course has an additional fee for field trips.

  May be taken in addition to the session's 5-credit maximum.

  Co-requisite: Ecology and Population Biology.

• Latin America and its Cultures

  Summer Session II

  Anthropology History Spanish 200-level 1 credit Taught in English

  Summer Session II

  Anthropology History Spanish 300-level 1 credit Taught in Spanish

  This course is an introduction to the cultures of Latin America and their histories. Taught from a historical and contemporary society viewpoint, giving particular emphasis to present-day Costa Rica but also with other Latin American countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Chile and others related to each case. Some of the topics to be discussed are: Religion, clothing, foods, music, family, the role of women, stereotypes, politics, economy and environment.

  300-level Prerequisite: four semesters of college Spanish

• Latin American Cuisine

  Summer Session I

  Nutrition 200-level 1 credit Taught in English/Spanish

  Summer Session II

  Nutrition 200-level 1 credit Taught in English/Spanish

  An introduction to a local cuisine in a hands-on kitchen environment. Authentic preparations of several local dishes will be taught. Correct cooking techniques are emphasized. Readings and lectures on local food customs and traditions will support and contextualize the cooking instruction. Students will learn about Latin American culture, and practice conversing and following instructions in the Spanish language.

  Dietary restrictions may not be accommodated.

  This course has an additional fee.

• Tropical Ecology

  Summer Session I

  Biology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Summer Session II

  Biology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Tropical ecology is the relationship between plants and animals in a tropical environment. Tropical zones are distinguished because they occur in the latitudes that lay between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. These tropical latitudes have distinct physical, climatic, and biotic characteristics. As a result, tropical ecosystems are among the most diverse in the world. Tropical ecosystems are very diverse and encompass rainforests, dry deciduous forests, highland forests, paramos, coastal areas, spiny forests, deserts, and other habitat types. Each one of these ecosystems has a unique species composition and ecological relationships among them. Thus, studying tropical ecology is essential to understand the modern ecology. Moreover, since 1980, 288 million hectares (21%) of tropical forest areas have been deforested, while the human population in tropical countries has nearly doubled. The study of tropical ecosystems cannot be detached from conservation. The best way to ensure that these ecosystems will be conserved is to provide future generations with the proper theoretical, practical, and critical skills related to these special ecosystems and their conservation. This course will introduce students to tropical ecosystems and their general characteristics, focusing on the ecological and evolutionary relationships found in tropics. Students will also learn about some of the tropical research done in Costa Rica and other regions. This class will also explore the unique characteristics of several of the ecosystems found within the tropics and compare species found in different tropical regions. Students will explore how tropical ecosystems impact the temperate regions and what is needed to conserve these ecosystems. The course will also have a strong experimental component and students will learn how to develop experiments to answer ecological questions and how to employ simple statistical analyses to test hypotheses.

  Prerequisite: one year of college-level biology with lab.

• Tropical Marine Biology

  Summer Session II

  Biology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course is a general introduction to tropical marine ecosystems and their inhabitants. It is conducted in conjunction with the National University Center for Marine Studies and Parque Marino del Pacifico both of which are located in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The unique ecosystems of tropical oceans and their inhabitants will be presented in an evolutionary and ecological context.

  Prerequisite: one year of general biology with lab.

• Tropical Marine Biology Field Study

  Summer Session II

  Biology 300-level 1 credit Taught in English

  In this course students will visit marine ecosystems introduced in the lecture. Students will be able to explore various marine ecosystems like coral reefs, rocky reefs, mangroves, and intertidal zones.

  Co-requisite: Tropical Marine Biology.

• Women's Health: Global Health and Human Rights

  Summer Session II

  Community Health Sciences 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Exploration of the specific health needs of women, with emphasis on understanding and prevention of problems of women’s health.

To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu

Field Studies

Optional field studies are an excellent way to deepen your academic experience abroad. During your 1-credit field study course, you will participate in carefully planned excursions that allow you to explore the cultural, historical, and natural features of Costa Rica. These overnight field experiences, combined with required academic components such as readings, research, and written assignments, will increase your understanding of the sites and locales visited.

As an experiential learning method, optional field studies complement the larger academic program and provide you with opportunities to learn in new ways, to gain hands-on experience, and to connect your classroom learning to the world around you.

Optional field studies have an additional fee, and are subject to meeting minimum enrollment requirements to run, and may not be available every summer session. Refer to the course list above for current field study offerings.