Summary
This course examines the interplay between human behavior and the natural environment in Germany and Denmark.
Travel Dates
January 1-22, 2020
Locations
Hamburg, Goehrde, Lueneburg, Magdeburg, and Berlin, Germany
Copenhagen, Denmark
Online Course Meetings
December 30-31, 2019
Required In-Person Orientation
*each school can note date here, and note that it is on their own campus
Required Online Orientation
There will be a required online orientation for this course in late October. The date/time of the orientation will be communicated by October 15. Every effort should be made to participate in the live orientation session, as it will be interactive, provide a chance to virtually meet the course professors and other participants, and should be considered the first class meeting. Students who do not participate will be required to view the recorded session once it is available.
Minimum Enrollment: 16
If the course does not meet the minimum enrollment, students will be given the option of switching to another course (as space is available) or withdrawing their application and receiving a refund of the program deposit.
Maximum Enrollment: 26
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UMAIE (pronounced “U-may”) is the Upper Midwest Association for Intercultural Education, a consortium of six colleges and universities offering intercultural courses during the January Interim. UMAIE was founded in the fall of 1963 when several colleges adopted the 4-1-4 academic calendar. The UMAIE pioneers recognized that they could expand the international curricula, control costs, and increase participation in study abroad if several campuses cooperated in offering courses overseas. This vision has enabled hundreds of students to study abroad every January since 1964. Current UMAIE member schools are Augustana University (Sioux Falls, SD), Elmhurst College (Chicago, IL), Hamline University (St. Paul, MN), St. Ambrose University (Davenport, IA), St. Catherine University (St. Paul, MN), and St. Thomas University (St. Paul, MN) |
Academic Overview
The Psychology of Sustainability is the scientific study of the reciprocal relationship between human behavior and the natural environment. This field has its roots in Germany (Umweltpsychologie), a country that also leads the world in environmental innovation. We begin the course by examining the scientific evidence regarding environmental issues including global climate change, industrial food systems, transportation, waste, and depletion of natural resources like fresh water, oil, and metal deposits. We then examine psychological factors associated with decision making and conservation-related behavior. We will cover such topics as social norms, values, and incentives and why they may strengthen or weaken the link between our attitudes and behaviors. The course will close by examining interventions designed to encourage sustainable human behavior. Locating the course in German cities such as Hamburg and Berlin as well as the Danish city of Copenhagen will provide ample opportunity to directly observe and experience how behavior change strategies have been applied to important activities such as bicycle commuting and sustainable work.
Prerequisites
General psychology or other introductory social science course is preferred. Having a general background in human behavior will enhance student’s ability think about the material and to interpret their experiences in a more sophisticated way. Including students with backgrounds in social sciences other than psychology (e.g., sociology, economics, geography) brings in multi-disciplinary perspectives of human behavior.
Course Equivalency
*Each campus can list their own course equivalency here
About the Professors
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Dr. Elise Amel, University of St. Thomas
Dr. Amel earned her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She has been teaching and conducting research regarding psychology and conservation since 2004. She served as the Director of Environmental Studies at UST, co-authored the textbook for this course, and is currently the Faculty Director of the Office of Sustainability Initiatives. This will be Dr. Amel’s 6th time teaching this course |
 christie.manning@mac.edu |
Dr. Kristie Manning, Macalester College
Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Minnesota. She is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and the Associate Director of the Educating Sustainability Ambassadors Program at Macalester College. Christie is co-author on the 2016 academic textbook, “Psychology for Sustainability”. This will be Dr. Manning’s 6th time teaching this course. |
Required Readings
Scott, B.A., Amel, E.L. Koger, S.M., & Manning, C.M. (2016). Psychology for Sustainability (4th Edition). Routledge Press: NY, NY
NorthWest Earth Institute. Choices for Sustainable Living (2nd ed.). Portland, OR: Northwest Earth Institute.The Natural Step Primer. Available on-line.
Evaluation
Short paper #1 = 25 points (low stakes)
Short paper #2 = 50 points (higher stakes after getting feedback from short paper #1)
Academic Journal = 75 points
Final paper = 75 points
Participation = 75 points
Total = 300 points
Program Estimate Cost
$X,XXX - $X,XXX
Cost estimates will be available on or after April 1, 2019. Final costs will be available in late October.
There will be a $500 deposit, due at the time of application. Please see the Cancellation Policy tab for information on when this deposit is refundable.
Included in the Program Cost
International airfare
Hotel accommodations in twin/triple rooms
Ground transportation
All entrances and activities required for class
Continental breakfast daily
5 lunches
7 dinners
Application Procedures & Deadline
Applications will open on April 1, 2019·
To Apply:
1. Select the Apply Now button at the top to start your online application.
2. Login using your username and password
3. Complete all the application requirements. Your application will not be considered complete until ALL requirements have been completed.
All applications received by the Priority Application Deadline will be sent to the faculty in a batch at the end of the priority application period. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after the priority deadline for programs with space still remaining until the final application deadline of October 1, 2019.
Priority Application Deadline
*Schools can enter own priority deadline here
Final Application Deadline
October 1, 2019
UMAIE Scholarship - The George and Betty St. Angelo Memorial Scholarship
In memory of the vision and commitment to social justice by George & Betty St. Angelo, UMAIE and Seminars International are able to grant three $2,000 travel scholarships to students from UMAIE member institutions applying to study abroad on a 2020 UMAIE course.
The UMAIE Travel Scholarship is designed to broaden access to study abroad participation. Successful applicants will have demonstrated financial need and will fit one or more of, but not limited to, these diverse groups:
- Underrepresented racial/ethnic identities
- First generation college students
- Students identifying as LGBTQ+
- First time travel abroad
General Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a UMAIE member institution.
- Must be in academic and disciplinary good standing.
- Must be approved to study abroad by their home institution.
- Must submit a complete UMAIE course application to their home institution by the priority deadline.
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Must have demonstrated financial need documented by a current financial aid award letter.
Scholarship applications will be open from
April 1-15, 2019. Students MUST complete a priority application and be accepted to a UMAIE course to be considered for the scholarship.
Passport Requirements: All course participants must have a current, valid Passport that expires no less than 6 months from the date the program returns. A legible scan of your passport must be submitted to your home school Study Abroad Office by October 20, 2019. STUDENTS WHO APPLY AND ARE ACCEPTED IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER AND DO NOT HAVE A CURRENT PASSPORT MUST EXPEDITE THEIR PASSPORT APPLICATION. Students who do NOT submit their passport by the deadline will be subject to a $100 Late Passport fee.
Visa Requirements: Please note that a visa IS NOT required for U.S. Citizens to travel to the country(ies) included in this course. Citizens of countries other than the United States or people who have Travel Documents (Issued by the United States or any other country) should contact their school's Study Abroad Office as soon as possible.
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories: The U.S. Department of State uses levels to indicate risk in travel to particular locations. Please see the
U.S.Department of State website for more information on the particular locations of this course.
U.S. Department of State STEP Enrollment: The U.S. Department of State has a Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The UMAIE Consortium encourages all travelers to ensure that they are enrolled before travel. Some students' home campus Study Abroad Office may enroll student travelers automatically. Please check with your home campus Study Abroad Office for more information on your school's process, and see the
STEP website for more information and to enroll.
Health and Travel: The Center for Disease Control issues travel vaccine recommendations by country. Please see the
CDC Traveler's Health website for more information on the particular locations of this course.
CISI Insurance: All UMAIE participants will be enrolled in an international emergency and medical insurance policy with CISI through their home institution. Please see your home campus Study Abroad Office for more information.
Flight Deviations: Airline tickets are booked as Group Tickets. If a student wishes to deviate from the group (go early, stay after, etc.), the student will need to submit that request as part of the application. The final date to request a flight deviation is Oct. 1, 2019. Please note that there are additional costs to flight deviations. It will be the responsibility of the student to pay the additional costs at the time the booking is made.
UMAIE Withdrawals and Refunds
Once students have completed a UMAIE application and been notified of their acceptance, the following Withdrawal and Refund policy applies:
Refund Available Withdrawal Date
No cancellation fee and full refund of deposit September 15, 2019 (must be received by 4:00pm)
No refund of $500 deposit September 16 – October 1, 2019
No refund of $500 deposit & refund of RECOVERABLE COSTS ONLY* After October 1, 2019
No refund 30 days or less prior to departure
*NOTE: Recoverable costs will not be calculated until after the group returns in February. The ENTIRE COURSE COST, INCLUDING AIRLINE TICKET, may be forfeited.
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO YOUR SCHOOL'S STUDY ABROAD OFFICE. The date this is received is the official date of cancellation
Travel cancellation insurance is recommended for students with preexisting medical conditions. This insurance must be purchased at the time of application. Please discuss this with your Study Abroad Office.
If a course price increases by more than 6% over the highest price in the range (due to general inflation or lower enrollment) a student may cancel without penalty.
No refund is given to students who wish to omit portions of the course.
