Academics
Learning objectives
The spring ACM Costa Rica: Field Research in the Environment, Social Sciences, & the Humanities program provides students first-hand experience with field study and develops the skills for successful research and inquiry.
The learning goals of the program are:
- To develop students’ skills in designing and carrying out independent, in-depth research in Costa Rica in their major fields, whether the natural or social sciences or the humanities;
- To enhance their Spanish language proficiency to a level sufficient for independent research and daily communication, and for reading Spanish language materials in their major fields;
- To develop students’ understanding of the Costa Rican cultural norms and their impact on both day-to-day interactions and research practices; and
- To build students’ confidence and independence in managing unfamiliar situations.
In addition to a Spanish language requirement (two years or more), students are expected to come into the program having begun work in their major and having some background in research methodologies in their major field. Under the supervision of Costa Rican specialists and scholars, students draw upon local resources and their own previous coursework to undertake a significant research project. The quality and level of this research often provides a strong foundation for a senior thesis or other advanced work. Coursework, in which students refine their research proposals, advance their Spanish language skills, and learn about research methods, prepares students during the first part of the semester for the field study during the balance of the program.
When students return to their home campus after the spring Costa Rica program, they should have substantially improved language skills, significant field research findings, and a completed project that can become a senior thesis or other advanced project appropriate to their field of study.
Academic overview
Students take one course combining Spanish language skills and an introduction to Costa Rican culture. Students then develop their field research proposals independently with their research advisor.
FULL SEMESTER PROGRAM
Students who choose the traditional full semester program will be in Costa Rica from late January through May. They will spend two months in the field working on their research project, with a month back in San José at the end of the semester.
SPRING TRIMESTER OPTION
Students who choose the spring trimester option will be in Costa Rica from early April through mid-June. They will spend just one month in the field working on their research project, with three weeks back in San José at the end of the program. This option can be be an attractive one for students from schools not on a traditional semester calendar, since they may be able to be on-campus for their winter trimester/term, before going to Costa Rica for their spring trimester/term.
Language requirement
Second-year level college coursework in Spanish, taken in the year prior to the start of the program, is recommended. A student is expected to have a level of Spanish proficiency appropriate for his/her proposed research project. Projects which involve personal interviews will typically require higher-level Spanish language skills than some other types of research projects. ACM will review applications on a case-by-case basis and may recommend that a student arrange to refresh or augment his/her level of Spanish prior to the start of the program.