Current Shows
From Panama to the Yucatan - A Virtual Tour of Central America
Tuesdays 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon - Online Class from September 10 to October 15, 2024 - Simon Fraser Universitty
Central America features a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, amazing Pre-Columbian archaeological sites, cities featuring colonia cobblestone streets, and contemporary influences, bustling markets, and breathtaking natural landscapes. Discover the region’s immense diversity, through its religious syncretism, crafts and cuisine. Potential travellers to the region will gain a useful, deeper understanding of its subtleties, along with highlights, curious anecdotes and secrets each place has to offer.
CONTENTS
Week 1: Panama & Costa Rica
We start in Panama City, the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast. We’ll traverse the Panama Canal, from the Pacific to the Caribbean. We then explore the fortifications on the Caribbean side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We conclude with a visit to the San Blas Islands along the Caribbean coast of Panama, a haven for ecotourism because of its pristine environs and home to the Kuna people. In Costa Rica, we will visit its capital San José, and admire its renowned National Theatre.
Week 2: Nicaragua
We’ll begin in the capital, Managua. Next it’s the vibrant city of León, home of Nicaragua’s greatest poet, Rubén Darío, and filled with inspiring architecture featuring two UNESCO World Heritage sites. West of León we’ll visit Las Peñitas beach, an easy-going surf spot. Nicaragua’s oldest town, Granada, founded in 1524, is located at the foot of the green and dormant volcano Mombacho, a nature and wildlife reserve located in the cloud forest. Nearby are Isletas de Granada, an archipelago formed by a massive volcanic landslide 20,000 years ago. We conclude on the magical island of Ometepe, formed by the twin volcanic peaks Concepción and Maderas.
Week 3: El Salvador and Honduras
In El Salvador we explore the capital San Salvador, a city that features many world-class museums. We’ll visit El Tunco, a famous surfing spot, and the city of Santa Ana. We then discover Joya de Cerén, a pre-Hispanic farming community that, like Pompeii in Italy, was buried under an eruption of the Laguna Caldera volcano around 600 CE. We will also explore the pre-Columbian sites of San Andrés and partake in the spring equinox celebrations in Tazumal.
Week 4: Guatemala and Belize
Guatemala has a rich and distinctive culture from the long mix of elements from Spain and the native Maya people. This diverse history and the natural beauty of the land have created a destination rich in interesting and scenic sites. We will explore Guatemala City; Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango, Xecul and the ancient Mayan sites of Tikal, Quiriguá and Xunantunich in Belize. We will also experience Guatemala’s legendary syncretic Easter celebrations.
Weeks 5 & 6: Mexico
In Mexico we discover ancient Mayan cities on the Yucatán Peninsula, and fascinating ruins in the jungles of Chiapas. The Mayan peoples’ mix of traditional beliefs with Christianity provide one of the world's most unique examples of living syncretism in San Cristóbal de las Casas, San Juan de Chamula and Zinacantán in the highlands of Chiapas. We then head to Oaxaca to explore its historic centre, discover the pre-Hispanic archaeological sites of Monte Albán, Mitla and Yagul, and visit a series of artisan villages..
What You Will Learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Appreciate the diverse heritage of Central America and the natural, cultural and architectural influences in its cities and countryside
- Identify several UNESCO World Heritage cities throughout Central America
- Understand the compelling features and value that lead to UNESCO World Heritage status
- Gain useful insights for travellers to these places
How You Will Learn
- Participation in Zoom seminars
- Participation in written discussions with other students
- Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas
- eflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)
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From Indochina to Indonesia - A Virtual Tour of Southeast Asia
Wednesdays 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon - Online Class from September 11 to October 16, 2024 - Simon Fraser Universitty
Bustling cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites, sublime natural beauty—Southeast Asia offers so much to explore. We’ll visit Vietnam’s patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies and elegant French colonial architecture, Cambodia’s magnificent Khmer temples, the gilded temples of Laos and appreciate the immense cultural and artistic variety of the Indonesian archipelago. We’ll discover Southeast Asia’s immense diversity and discuss the region’s geography, culture, history, religion, crafts and cuisine. Potential travellers to the region will gain a useful, deeper understanding of its subtleties, along with highlights, curious anecdotes and secrets each place has to offer.
CONTENTS
Weeks 1 & 2: Vietnam
The speed with which Vietnam has been able to transcend the recent past comes as a surprise to many visitors, who are met with warmth and curiosity. Most visitors are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of Vietnam’s natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and the brilliant green rice paddies that cover most of the coastal strip. From architecturally beautiful Hanoi to bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), we’ll revel in the sights of splendid Halong Bay, the famous Perfume River, the beautiful Mekong Delta, stretches of white sandy beaches at Phan Thiet, Nha Trang and Danang and the enticing little town of Hoi An. Cultural highlights include ancient Cham temple ruins, the extravagant church of Cao-Daism in Tay Ninh and the temples, palaces and imperial mausoleums of aristocratic Hue.
Week 3: Cambodia
In Cambodia, we uncover the stunning Angkor ruins, a collection of more than 100 temples dating back to the ninth century. Once the seat of power of the Khmer Empire, Angkor is royal extravagance on a grand scale, its imposing features enhanced by the dramatic setting of lush jungle greenery and verdant fields. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is acknowledged as the most exquisite example of ancient architecture in Southeast Asia. We then head to Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. We visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Temple of Preah Vihear and the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk. We also explore Battambang and the sprawling capital of Phnom Penh.
Week 4: Laos
Laos is the most enigmatic of the former colonial French Indochinese states, as it offers an unparalleled glimpse of traditional Southeast Asian life along the Mekong River, which runs the length of this landlocked country. Luang Prabang, once the heart and soul of the ancient kingdom of Lane Xang, is Laos's most enticing destination, with its gilded temples and weathered shop-houses. We also explore Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape, the Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang, commonly referred to as the Plain of Jars, and Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
Weeks 5 & 6: Indonesia and East Timor
The Indonesian archipelago comprises more than 17,000 islands. Describing Indonesia as one entity is practically impossible because of the country’s geographic, ethnic and cultural variety. More than 500 languages and dialects are spoken by its 246 million people, whose fascinating customs and lifestyles are a major attraction. We’ll explore Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Bali, Flores, Komodo, Sulawesi, New Guinea and East Timor. Along the way, we’ll learn about the archipelago’s geography, ways of life, its arts and architecture, and cultural heritage.
What You Will Learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Appreciate the diverse heritage of the region and the natural, cultural and architectural influences on Southeast Asian cities and countryside
- Identify several UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout Southeast Asia
- Understand the compelling features and value that lead to UNESCO World Heritage status
- Gain useful insights for travellers to these places
How You Will Learn
- Participation in Zoom seminars
- Participation in written discussions with other students
- Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)