Belize: Mayan Culture and the Interface Between Tropical Rainforests and Coral Reefs

January 5-16, 2009 

BSCI 279M (2 credits)

Belize is a subtropical country situated on the East Coast of Central America in the heart of the Caribbean Basin. It borders Mexico to the North and Guatemala to the west. On the east is the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Belize has a 174-mile coastline that is home to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The coast mangroves constitute an excellent habitat for birds, fish, shellfish and marine organisms. Belize is also graced with tropical forests, mountains and superior agricultural land.

The Mayan history in Belize is extremely rich. With more than 600 Mayan cities, Belize is the center of the ancient Mayan world and an active participant in the Mundo Maya program.

Students will visit archeological digs, study the architectural phenomena of various Mayan temples, visit tropical rainforests in the Jaguar Reservoir, navigate and sample the Sittee River and surrounding floodplain, visit mangrove forests at the junction of the Sittee River and the Caribbean and snorkel the reefs and islands in the barrier reef system.

 

Accommodations

Participants will stay at Hotel Mopan in Belize City during the Mayan Ruins section of the trip. The remainder of the time will be split between basic accommodations at Possum Point Research Station and cabins in Wee Wee Caye Marine Station.

Faculty and Staff

Dr. Lee Hellman is a professor of Entomology and director of the College Park Scholars – Life Sciences program. His main interests are the ecology of tropical rainforests and agro-ecosystems. Dr. Hellman has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia, Africa, and South and Central America. He has led students on trips to Belize for six consecutive years. Please contact Dr. Hellman for information about course content and itinerary.

Dr. Michael Raupp
Professor, Entomology

Dr. Paula Shrewsbury
Associate Professor, Entomology

For questions about the application, registration and pre-departure logistics, please contact the Study Abroad Office.