Study Abroad | San Jose
Fall 2023: Academics

Course Code: Environmental Sciences 403/ENV4030

Instruction Language: English

This course will examine agricultural and food systems from a ecological systems perspective. After establishing a foundation of basic ecological concepts (relationships and interactions between abiotic/non-living and biotic/living components of an ecosystem), different applications of these concepts to agricultural systems will be investigated. Consumption and production issues related to food system sustainability will be analyzed, and students will explore their own role in the food system. Field trips will provide opportunities for direct observation of (and interaction with) different approaches to food production and distribution in Costa Rica.

Course Code: Cultural Studies 310/ETH 3100

Instruction Language: English

This course examines a particular topic, theme, issue, or problem concerning the Black experience in Costa Rica and Central America. Sample offerings could include Central America and ethnic politics, history and Culture, Blacks in Central American governments, Contemporary Black literature, or History of the Black experience in Costa Rica.

Course Code: Architecture 311/ARCH 3112

Instruction Language: English

A chronological overview of main inventions and influences that contributed to the making of past and present architecture in Latin America analyzing the artistic manifestations.

Course Code: Choose Spanish + 4 subject electives

Instruction Language: English

Course Code: Art 210/ART2100

Instruction Language: English

This course is designed for the beginner to help the student find personal meaning in works of art and develop a better understanding of the nature and validity of art as visual and space language (line, shape, volume, light, space, time, motion, color, and texture). This means that you will learn about the essentials of art through experience and experimentation. Through determination and an open mind, you will increase your creativity and discover more interesting ways to understand and judge the visual arts. Emphasis is on the diversity of form and content in artwork. Upon completion, students should understand the basics of art materials used and have a basic overview of the history of art and how art represents its society, especially, Latin American culture. The class meets for 48 contact hours.

Course Code: Art 130/ Art 1301

Instruction Language: English

This studio art course introduces basic principles of drawing. The course includes model drawings, landscape drawings and experimental (abstract) drawings. The focus of this course is on the development of expression and observational drawing from still life, a model and landscapes.

Course Code: Choose Spanish + 4 subject electives

Instruction Language: English

Course Code: Art 213/ Art 2130

Instruction Language: English

This studio art course introduces theoretical and practical aspects of large-scale painting, murals and public art. The course includes a practicum in large-scale media and experimentation of early and contemporary techniques including drawing, fresco, painting, aerosol and various industrial materials. The objective of this course is for students to develop an understanding about some of the social roles of art and the impact of murals in communities, based upon its historical and contemporary applications. The course will enable students to control scale, color, specific techniques and safety measures aimed at public spaces. Students will incorporate a Service Learning component by either conducting a collective workshop with children from a rural location, or actually painting a collective mural as a donation to a community. The students with fine arts backgrounds will help with the complexity of the final collective project, but the course does not require previous painting knowledge.

Course Code: Architecture 320/ ARCH 3200

Instruction Language: English

This course teaches students to develop the skill to analyze a particular architectural situation and be able to offer adequate design solutions that will guarantee a good quality environment. It is offered to all students with no previous knowledge of design projection and means of graphic expression, who want to learn about tropical design.

Course Code: Environmental Sciences 316/ ENV 3160

Instruction Language: English

This course aims to highlight the importance of conservation biology in managing endangered marine species, emphasizing recent conservation efforts for umbrella species such as sea turtles and sharks in the Pacific waters bordering Costa Rica. Marine ecosystems of the eastern tropical Pacific provide a baseline for species of high commercial interest that meet the global demand for food. However, several marine species are threatened by unsustainable human activities such as overfishing and the destruction of habitat. We will develop a critical understanding of conservation biology, emphasizing the general concept of biodiversity and examining present-day case studies that focus on scientific investigations to answer critical aspects of the history of life, recovery programs, species management, community conservation and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Students will also be introduced to a wide range of practical activities by visiting field stations and “natural laboratories” throughout Costa Rica.

Course Code: Business 312/GEB 3120

Instruction Language: English

This course seeks to understand the impact of innovation and entrepreneurship on global and local economies as well as patterns of innovation and their impact on cultures and business environments. The content will also include discussions and investigations about important elements of entrepreneurship such as stages of a business, sources of funding, exit strategies and key skills for entrepreneurs.

Course Code: Business 335/GEB3350

Instruction Language: English

Today, more than ever, the average individual can feel the interdependence of countries within the global economy and the impact on our daily lives. The clothes we wear, the cars we drive, the price we pay for a gallon of gasoline are daily reminders that we live in a global economy. What is also apparent is the direct link between business and politics and the impact one has on the other. This course will focus on political, cultural, strategic, and structural issues in conducting global business in both developed and developing economies. The course will combine both theoretical concepts and practical applications of operating in a global environment. Moreover, because issues in this environment change rapidly, we will focus on current events by using national and international publications. This is a practice-oriented course designed to help students achieve an understanding of how commerce is conducted in an increasingly global supply chain. We will utilize case studies, discussion of current events, student research, and class discourse to understand international trade’s fundamental mechanisms. By the end of the course, you will walk away with explicit knowledge of how business is conducted in the international forum and further develop basic analytical skills essential to good business case analysis towards gaining the knowledge and a practical understanding of the issues and solutions leading to success in international business.

Course Code: Choose Spanish + 4 subject electives

Instruction Language: English

Course Code: Marketing 301/ MKTG3010

Instruction Language: English

The course assumes that students are familiar with basic marketing terms and have a basic to mid understanding of marketing concepts. The course will examine the concepts related to international marketing, while students analyze case studies and propose ideas through assignments to attain the objectives of the course. 

Course Code: Choose Spanish + 4 subject electives

Instruction Language: English

Course Code: Communications 307/ COMM 3070

Instruction Language: English

A multicultural, gender sensitive course is designed for students who wish to learn strategies and techniques in thought and behavior transformations for conflict resolution. The course focuses on techniques to bring about positive focused changes through continuous experiences in community building and self-improvement. The course is based on the Alternatives to Violence Project; a program started in NY State in the seventies. Fundacion CEPPA, Center for Peace Studies, has implemented this program in Costa Rica, Switzerland and other Latin American countries since 1990. Using a participatory and interactive methodology, emphasis is made on the following themes: Self-esteem and self-care, communication skills, cooperation, community building and conflict resolution, including mediation, bias awareness and cultural diversity. Mandatory fieldwork sessions will be conducted at a school, a communal group or a penal institution.

Course Code: Communications 320/ COMM 3200

Instruction Language: English

This course addresses issues of diversity and commonalities amongst human beings, implications and applications according to each situation and professional context. Students will develop skills for intercultural competence.

Course Code: Environmental Sciences 317/ENV 3170

Instruction Language: English

Water is a vital resource for human beings. It is also a limited one, which has suffered degradation, while demand is ever growing. Freshwater ecology, otherwise known as limnology, helps us to understand the physical, chemical and biological properties of inland aquatic environments (wetlands, lakes, rivers, mangroves and reservoirs). This course emphasizes the problems and conservation efforts related to water resources. Through field trips and laboratory work, students will learn methods for monitoring aquatic environments.

Course Code: Environmental Sciences 304/ENV 3044

Instruction Language: English

Students will learn about the interaction between earth and land and how these interactions or processes affect our life and stability of the planet. Within this context students will gain an insight into the basic ecological concepts, natural environments, organisms and their interaction, and about human impacts on the environment. Emphasis will be given to the study of the most relevant tropical ecosystems such as: tropical rainforest, cloud forests, coral reefs and mangroves.

Course Code: History 329/HIS3290

Instruction Language: English

This course introduces the outstanding socio-economic and political features that have shaped and defined the history and development path of Costa Rica

Course Code: Economics 340/ Econ3404

Instruction Language: English

Examines Latin American policies that affect the international economy, with attention to trade barriers, economic nationalism and regionalism, international political economy, exchange market intervention and international transmission of economic perturbations.

Course Code: Choose Spanish + 4 subject electives

Instruction Language: English

Course Code: Choose Spanish + 4 subject electives

Instruction Language: English

Course Code: Environmental Sciences 374/ ENV3740

Instruction Language: English

Course Code: Politics 342/ POL 3420

Instruction Language: English

In this course, we will explore the dynamics of environmental management, history, policy, politics and ACTION in Costa Rica and beyond. We will study environmental history and policy at a regional and national level, and will explore the emergence of Costa Rica’s cutting edge environmental politics and government commitments (the greening of the public sector, carbon neutrality and others). We will look back at Costa Rica’s conservation history and critically review its sustainable development model, and will explore the “state of the nation and region” in regard to environmental indicators (land use methods and statistics, deforestation and reforestation data, contamination and waste indicators). We will identify the individuals and organizations taking authentic action in environmental protection, and will take a close look at how government policy translates into practice by reviewing case studies of community and grassroots action in forestry, organic farming, recycling, cooperatives and women’s environmental groups. Lastly, we will address some of central issues and challenges facing these activities and the resulting environmental conflicts.

Course Code: Environmental Sciences 404/ENV4040

Instruction Language: English

This course considers current worldwide problems in natural resources management and conservation, and their effects on sustainable development efforts in tropical countries. Current issues that condition the possibility for development such as poverty, global warming, deforestation and potable water will be analyzed. It presents a multidisciplinary approach to environmental issues that pertain to the concept of sustainable development and its applicability.

Course Code: Environmental Sciences 305/ENV3005

Instruction Language: English

This course covers major environmental problems and issues confronting modern society. Students will examine ecosystems, population patterns and dynamics; use and misuse of resources; population and environmental quality; environmental citizenship and economic incentives and Costa Rican initiatives in eco-tourism

Course Code: Environmental Sciences 319/ENV 3190

Instruction Language: English

This course studies the balance between ecosystems and human stress and demands on the constantly changing marine environment. All field trips are mandatory.

Course Code: Environmental Sciences 312/ENV 3120

Instruction Language: English

Students will gain insight into various biological characteristics of the groups of land chordates in the country. Costa Rica has an immensely rich animal biodiversity, with an influence from both North American and South American fauna, and is a world-renowned hot spot for animal research and conservation. Emphasis will be given to the study of Costa Rican species, but others will be discussed as well.

Course Code: Choose Spanish + 4 subject electives

Instruction Language: English

Course Code: Health 307/ HHD 3070

Instruction Language: English

This course will introduce basic concepts of alternative medicine. Health service delivery today encounters frequent conflicts, disputes, and other difficult situations, many of them derived from larger changes occurring in the health systems of the world. These conflicts include differences due to multiculturalism; the appropriateness and quality of care; gender issues; power disputes and providers and recipients over institutional and funding policies. Violence, its effects and costs will be part of this course, particularly under the WHO definition and perspectives. Costa Rican health care systems will be part of the course. This interactive, hands-on course offers a framework to integrate professional experience with functional communication and mediation skills. Students are encouraged to explore and develop their leadership into progress on matters of public health importance. Mandatory fieldwork sessions will be conducted at a medical facility, community or school.

Course Code: History 323/HIS 3293

Instruction Language: English

Costa Rica’s healthcare system is unique because it is socialized and has achieved excellent health indicators. The course focuses on the history and development of the public health care system within the Costa Rican socio-political and economic situation. It also emphasizes how the system works and points out not only the strongholds of the systems but also its weak points. We will discuss different tropical diseases during this course, some very common for countries not developed. Students will learn about the prevention and transmission of relevant tropical diseases.

Course Code: Health 105/ HHD1050

This course introduces basic concepts on holistic health, encompassing a general overview of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (T/CAM). Its main aim is to acquaint the student with current holistic health praxis, obtaining a general panorama about a wide range of current alternative/complementary practices. Through this course each student will have a better overview of the holistic health perspective and the efficacy of some of their practices in order to open doors for a future deepening in these subjects and open an option for inter-professional practices. Also, students will explore and evaluate different holistic approaches and philosophies in order to improve personal health and wellbeing. Moreover, students will be able to build their own comparison with their general health concepts –usually from the Western medicine (WM, also known as allopathic or conventional medicine). Some of the topics included are Homeopathy, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Acupuncture, Herbal and Nutritional Therapies, Massage, Chiropractic, Electromagnetic Therapy, Breathing, and Energy, among others.

Course Code: Health 102/HHD 1020

Instruction Language: English

Physical therapy ranks in both Costa Rica and the USA as one of the most desirable careers. Physical Therapists play essential roles in today’s health care environment. They contribute, along with all health care providers, to maintaining, restoring, and improving movement. They also contribute to overall activity and health, enabling individuals of all ages to have optimal functioning and quality of life. During this course, the student will learn the history of Physical Therapy (PT), PT core values and principles, mechanical principles applied to the human body, an introduction to exercise therapy, massage therapy and physical therapists’ approach after a stroke.

Course Code: History 230/HIS2302

Instruction Language: English

This course is a survey of the main events in Latin American history after its independence. Topics include the historical causes and effects of the independence, some of the main issues on social, economic and political problems, and the main historical leaders in modern Latin America.

Course Code: Management 303/MGMT3030

Instruction Language: English

Provides the opportunity to learn about and practice the skills required for managerial excellence. These skills include leadership, negotiation, conducting performance appraisals, delegation, effective communication, interviewing and making hiring decisions and effective human resource management.

Course Code: Choose Spanish + 4 subject electives

Instruction Language: English

Course Code: Politics 322/ POL3220

Instruction Language: English

This class studies the construction of migrants as others, the management of their image by media and elements pertaining to human rights and citizenship in the cases of immigrants in Costa Rica and draws comparison with the United States as a host country. The objective is to visualize the construction of cultural identities, its effects on intergroup encounters and societal perspectives on migration issues.

Course Code: Politics 310/ POL3100

Instruction Language: English

This course is a general survey of Costa Rican society’s complex social and political heritage, examined through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary view, focusing on the historical development and present-day dynamics of the economy, society, polity, natural resources, and culture. This course analyzes the Costa Rican culture’s growth through its history, studying the development of those elements related to the values of peace and democracy, which have become the standard-bearers that identify this society. Emphasis is paid to how these basic principles are enriched, highlighted, and respected in different periods of history, to the point of becoming firmly entrenched in society’s value systems. Special attention will be given to new peace, democracy, environment, economic and political trends, population, and the emergence of old and new paradigms and ideological movements.

Course Code: Politics 250/POL2500

Instruction Language: English

A particular emphasis will be given to the case of Costa Rica, giving students an opportunity to explore the development of human rights in the following areas: women’s rights, children’s rights, HIV/AIDS, the CAFTA agreement and labor rights, indigenous groups and human rights, disability and age issues, and the prison environment.

Course Code: Politics 345/POL3450

Instruction Language: English

This course will review the history of International Relations between the US and Latin America, highlighting the most critical facts that mark the Region’s politics for the current era. We will analyze tensions between sovereign rule and foreign hegemony, class struggle and oligarchical domination, the rise and fall of Imperialism and military interventions, corporate banking, national and foreign investments. We will study examples of diverse economic systems, conservative ethnic and cultural resistance to change, and totalitarian, liberal, and socialist revolutionary change. This includes the historical background of human settlements in the Western Hemisphere, Pre-Columbian Tribal and Imperial societies, the formation of modern Nation-States, and the complex International World Organizations. This also includes current events like the Cold War, military dictatorships, and other Latin American political phenomena, such as integration, migration, and their effects on drugs, terror, and US politics. The course will close with an evaluation of the popularity of governments in the Region, present-day relations with China and Russia, and globalization in the global scenario.

Course Code: Psychology 305/PSY 3050

Introduces students to the field of psychology that examines the influence of culture upon human behavior and cognitive processes. “Culture” is defined as the shared norms, values, and behaviors of groups and of the individuals in those groups. We will focus on such topics as cultural factors in self-concept, gender roles, motivation, cognition, emotions, relationships, and social values. Our exploration will be based on psychological theories, research, guest lecturers, and field experiences.

Course Code: Psychology 220/PSY2200

Instruction Language: English/Spanish

The World Health Organization defines health as being “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Based on this definition, the concepts of health and illness have changed. Nowadays, health care professionals have to tackle the health from a bio-psycho-social concept. For this reason, it is extremely important for health care professionals (doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, just to mention some) to have general information about Health Psychology, which studies how biology, behavior, and social context influence health and illness. In this way, health care professionals can have an integral approach to the patients under their treatment. This will discuss some of the most common topics related with Health Psychology and pertinent to practice in the health care professions.

Course Code: Spanish 410

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course is for high advanced level students who want to further develop their written skills through different composition practices and techniques. The course studies complex and difficult syntax topics. Special attention is given to stylistics and composition structure.

Course Code: Spanish 310

Instruction Language: Spanish

Pre-requisite SPN 301. This course is based on acquiring the skill of self-correction. Students will acquire higher levels of diction and fluency through exposure to oral contexts, idiomatic language and the varieties of Spanish spoken in different Spanish-speaking nations. This course develops skills in reading, discussion, analysis, self-correction, and research. Emphasis is given to pragmatic production and students must be prepared to spend a minimum of 2 extra hours per day for assignments.

Course Code: Spanish 301

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course is based on grammatical analysis, expansion of vocabulary, idiomatic expressions through readings, and student compositions at a complex level. The objective is for students to acquire a high level of communicative Spanish that will permit them to express their opinion and thoughts on complex and controversial subjects.

Course Code: Spanish 302

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course is for students who want to polish their oral and written skills. Students should have a high linguistic level and full knowledge of grammatical structures in order to work on polishing stylistics. Students will practice narrative constructions, reactions on non-expected contexts, how to report compiled information. The course also covers important aspects about myths, beliefs and other cultural issues in Latin America.

Course Code: Spanish 341

Prerequisite: minimum of four semesters of college Spanish. This course is designed for health personnel that have an Advanced background in Spanish and who need to improve their linguistic competency in order to interact with their Spanish speaking patients and their families. The goal at the end of this course is to be able to communicate in an effective and fluent form with Spanish speaking patients and families.

Course Code: Spanish 141

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course is designed for the purpose of giving health personnel, who do not have any previous Spanish experience, the tools necessary for interacting with and interviewing simulated Spanish speaking patients. During the four weeks of the course the students will acquire the linguistic knowledge and skills that will permit them to communicate at a basic level with simulated Spanish speaking patients.

Course Code: Spanish 151

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course is designed for the purpose of giving general law enforcement professionals, who do not have any previous Spanish experience; the tools necessary for interacting with and interviewing simulated native Spanish speakers. During the four weeks of the course the students will acquire the linguistic knowledge and skills that will permit them to communicate at a basic level in simulated situations with Spanish native speakers.

Course Code: Spanish 320

Instruction Language: Spanish

Prerequisite SPN 301. This course introduces relevant topics and issues in the development of Latin America’s cultural heritage. Students will develop an understanding of intellectual, artistic, social and historical perspectives in Latin America, with emphasis on Costa Rica.

Course Code: Spanish 101

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course is an introduction to Spanish for beginners with no previous knowledge of the language. Students will develop basic linguistic skills necessary in order to communicate in common situations. The course covers basic grammatical structures, vocabulary, communicative expressions and frequent situations in settings such as restaurants, stores, buses and others. Emphasis is given on understanding, speaking, reading and cross-cultural perspectives.

Course Code: Spanish 102

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course is for students who have completed a minimum of 60 contact hours in Spanish studies and already have a command of elementary grammatical tenses. Students will advance on their previous experiential knowledge and further develop their oral, reading, written and listening skills. Students will expand their vocabulary and language usage in order to facilitate interaction with the Costa Rican environment and be able to express themselves in the past.

Course Code: Spanish 210

Instruction Language: Spanish

Pre-requisite SPN 202. This course is for students who already have a high to intermediate level of Spanish and wish to better their communicative skills and pronunciation. The emphasis is set on situational everyday conversation and certain cultural issues. The methodology enhances structured speech to provide a firm base in patterns of spoken Spanish progression, towards free conversation.

Course Code: Spanish 201

Instruction Language: Spanish

Students in this course should have a good communicative command of usual everyday situations and a structural command of the present tense. The objective of this course is to develop the student’s skills with the emphasis on oral and written presentations and more complex grammatical structures. Students should develop a good command of all past indicative tenses.

Course Code: Spanish 202

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course emphasizes the discourse enrichment on contexts related to description and simple narrations. The contents include vocabulary building and detailed work with the subjunctive mode and other complex grammatical structures. Students will also learn idiomatic expressions used in Costa Rica.

Course Code: Spanish 241

Instruction Language: Spanish

Pre-requisite two semesters minimum of College Spanish. This course is designed for health personnel that have taken a minimum of 100 elective hours of Spanish as a second language. The goal of this course is to deepen the knowledge of medical related Spanish and increase the competency of communications in specifically simulated situations with Spanish speaking patients.

Course Code: Spanish 251

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course is designed for law enforcement professionals that have taken a minimum of 100 elective hours of Spanish as a second language. The goal of this course is to deepen the knowledge of law related Spanish and increase the competency of communication in specifically simulated situations with native Spanish speakers. Students from law enforcement areas can also enroll in afternoon electives.

Course Code: Spanish 340

Instruction Language: Spanish

This course focuses on advanced communication and presentation skills. Students will work on communication techniques and efficient oral expression in formal contexts.

Course Code: Spanish 330

Instruction Language: Spanish

Pre-requisite: Heritage speaker with advanced level of communication. This course is for heritage speakers who need to acquire proficiency in the use of complex grammatical structures. Emphasis will be given to listening, writing and reading skills.

Course Code: Spanish 304

Instruction Language: Spanish

Pre-requisite SPN 301. This course is for students with an advanced level of Spanish, who wish to learn general information about the development and processes of some of Costa Rica’s main entrepreneurial settings. By the end of the course, students will have a general knowledge of business vocabulary and usual business practices in Costa Rica. The course contents are complemented by a few field visits to some of Costa Rica’s developing businesses.

Course Code: Marketing 315/ MKTG 3150

Instruction Language: English

This course provides the student with an introduction to the concept of sustainable consumption and production (SCP), recognized by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012 as being "one of three general objectives and indispensable requirements for sustainable development [and that] fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development". It was at this conference that the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP) was adopted.