Travel Writing in Australia
Program Description:
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.
Course Objectives:
- To help develop and further critical writing skills.
- Engage in critical reading.
- Participate in self-assessment through journal writing.
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: Travel Writing, 4 credits. (This course cannot be taken to fulfill a Literature GUR.)
Program Fee:
$TBA. Includes airfare, lodging, program related ground transportation, and program-related entrance fees. Meals are not included.
Application Deadline:
April 18, 2008. 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 16 students.
Faculty Leader:
Dr. David Seal, Professor of English.
253-535-7316 or sealdo@plu.edu