Travel Writing in Australia
Program Description:
Faculty Leader
This course will begin in Sydney, Australia, where we will explore the city and read background material on Australia. Our next step will be Ayers Rock in the outback where we will get a taste of the continent's interior. Here the group will read Tracks by the serious camel traveler, Robyn Davidson. Leaving the outback, we will head up to the Great Barrier Reef and spend time in Port Douglas or Cooktown, charming villages on the Coral Sea. Here, we will take a trip out to the reef, about an hour's ride by fast boat. We will also travel up the coast to the Daintree Rain Forest, the second largest in the world, and take a river cruise in search of the famous salt-water crocodile. During this part of the course, we will be reading Bruce Chatwin's travel book, Songlines. Finally, we will travel to Crystal Waters (outside of Brisbane) to stay for a few days in an ecological village to see how Australia is conceiving future living possibilities. During this stay, we will finish up our journals, work on drafts of and then read aloud our final travel essays.
Travel Writing in Australia on YouTube
Course Objectives:
- Analyze and report on four or more creative nonfiction travel books about Australia.
- Write and workshop a 1000 word travel story and read aloud to the class.
- Maintain a travel journal.
Extra Features:
It will be the Australian summer. We can expect intense sun, extreme heat, occasional high humidity, "creatures of pain" (biting insects, possible encounters with snakes and jellyfish) - but this is exactly what makes travel memorable.
Course Credit:
ENGL 222/322: Travel Writing, 4 credits. Department credit, especially for Writing Intensive English majors. Also a general elective credit. (This course cannot be taken to fulfill a Literature GUR.)
Program Fee:
$6,500. Includes airfare, lodging, program related ground transportation, and program-related entrance fees. Meals are not included. PLU reserves the right to add a surcharge in response to unanticipated price increases.
The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses may vary according to student interests, individual needs and spending habits:
- Passport (new) = $110 / Passport (renewal) = $135
- Visa fees (required for some non-US passport holders) - varies
- Pre-Travel evaluation at the PLU Health Center = $45 *All students are required to visit either the PLU Health Center or a personal healthcare provider to achieve the proper medical clearance. Be aware that other medical providers may charge additional fees that may result i higher cost than the PLU Health Center.
- Immunizations = $0 to several hundred dollars **Vaccination needs vary on destination and individual medical history and may be costly.
- Airline baggage fees = approximately $25 for each checked bag.
- Books, supplies, course materials = varies
- Cost of meals not included in program fee = varies
- Cell phone and usage fees = varies
- Personal expenses = approximately $600. Check with your faculty leader for an accurate estimate for your destination.
Application Deadline:
April 13, 2012. A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 is required with the application. A $250 non-refundable program payment is due within 10 days of notification of acceptance to confirm participation in the course. Maximum 18 students.