Frequently Offered Courses

Semester at Sea offers three-credit courses across a wide range of disciplines. Course syllabi reflect the expertise of the faculty member and the voyage itinerary. Many of the courses listed below are offered on every voyage. Typically one-third of the courses are lower-division and two-thirds are upper-division. For more information on these courses, go to: catalog.colostate.edu.

Featured Course: Oceanography in Action!

Oceanography covers the concepts of geology, chemistry, physics, and biology relevant to the world’s oceans.

Academic Requirements and Credit

• All students register for three courses in addition to the required Global Studies course for a total of four courses, or 12 credits.
• Each course has an in-country Field Class, which you must consider when planning your schedule.
• Each course is three credits.
• Lower-division courses are designated with 100- and 200-level numbers.
• Upper-division courses are 300- and 400-level.

The Global Studies Course (3 credits)

The core course for the voyage, Global Studies, is required of all students and provides an integrated, interdisciplinary introduction to each of the countries visited on a given itinerary. The course examines the traditional and changing systems and values of a country and its cultures, while providing the fundamental knowledge necessary to prepare students for field activities in the host country. Global Studies is designed to help students deepen their understanding of specific features of contemporary life and culture (such as politics, religion, environment, art, music, family systems, and health). This common course is also designed to take maximum advantage of the opportunity for students to think critically about their own societies and global change. Specifically designed pre-port and post-port class sessions examine patterns of cultural interaction and communication to promote intercultural competency and self-awareness among Semester at Sea students.

Field Classes

Every course includes one in-country educational field class designed for experiential learning. Field classes present the opportunity both for the professor and the participant to engage in further dedicated learning and discovery in each country. A field class takes place during a full 8-hour port day and the same expectations are placed on a field class day as placed on a class day at sea.