THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MORRIS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS COURSE “GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE ITALIAN ALPS”; AN INTERDISCIPLINARY AND INTERCULTURAL EXPERIENCE

The goal of many study abroad courses is to both promote learning that is discipline specific and to foster student intercultural development. In many ways international geology courses are the perfect vehicle to achieve these goals. Abroad, geology and geologic learning is the “familiar” component of the learning experience, while the culture is “unfamiliar”. When learning geology abroad, the influence of geology is readily apparent as students view a new culture with a “learners” mind. The goal of “Geomorphology of the Italian Alps” is to learn geology in the context of the people, history and future of the Tirol.

The three-week course is taught at Brunnenburg Castle, near Merano Italy. Brunnenburg is located on the Insubric line, the plate boundary separating Eurasia from Adria. To the northwest are metamorphic units exposed in over-thrusted nappes and to the southeast are relatively undisturbed Mesozoic sediments of the Dolomites. Most of Italy’s glaciers are in the study area and Otzi, the mummified Neolithic age man was found nearby. The region has a traditionally agriculture-based economy that is now being influenced by tourism. Not surprisingly then, the subjects studied include: geomorphic models, tectonics, Alpine geology, mountain geomorphology, glacial geology, soils and recent climate change.

Lectures and field trips have a regional focus. Field evidence cited by early alpine researchers (Penck, Agassiz and Dolemieu) is studied. Endogenic vs. exogenic processes are discussed in the context of both the landscape and the architecture and development of the Tirol. While learning soils, students see the economic importance of conservation practices and how geology has influenced agricultural methods. Alpine glaciers and recent glacial deposits serve as evidence of climate change and provide a departure point for discussion of the Tirol in a changing climate. Finally, the over-arching significance of geology is evident in the historical museums of the Tirol. This UMM study abroad program is but one example of an international geology course providing a vehicle for interdisciplinary and intercultural student learning.