Semester in San Jose

SEMESTER STUDY PROGRAM IN SAN JOSE

This program is run in conjunction with the International Department of a private University, founded in 1991, in San Jose, Costa Rica. The University, in its native curriculum, specializes in Design, Architecture and Art. In its Spanish exchange program, intense language immersion, combined with creative assignments and curriculum, guarantees significant strides in acquisition of the Spanish language.

Program A offers different courses for all levels of Spanish, in grammar and conversation, based on the use of authentic and practical contexts in order to facilitate the acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Students are coached in the analysis of linguistic and extra-linguistic elements during the reading and writing practices. All levels evaluate oral, listening, reading and writing assignments. Class sizes are small with 10 maximum for Spanish classes and 15 for elective classes.

Program B offers courses in classes for advanced speakers only, as you will be studying alongside Costa Ricans or "Ticos"; this ensures total integration into the University culture. The University is located close to the center of the city of San Jose, serving a university community of approximately 1600 members. 35% of the student body is international.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

• University Registration & Tuition
• Books & Materials
• Orientation consisting of: Placement exam, guides & rules to home stay program, Do's and Don'ts in San Jose, explanation of elective course schedule, safety issues & culture shock, fear & expectations sessions.
• 4 Classes. PROGRAM A: 3 Spanish classes and  1 Elective class (See Course Descriptions) PROGRAM B: 4 University Courses (See Course Descriptions)
• University transcripts
• Housing with a Costa Rican family
• 2 Meals per day
• Come with a friend and live together during your time in Costa Rica.
• Airport Pickup
• English speaking Adelante staff on campus

Prices do not include additional meals, personal items and personal travel.

** Students who receive scholarships, financial aid and loans for their studies at home may also apply those to study in this program **

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• PROGRAM A is based on intensive Spanish courses and humanities courses including communication, international business, economics, Latin American and Costa Rican literature and multicultural studies. Students come from Canada, USA, Scandinavia, Western Europe and Asia
• PROGRAM B has a Design, Arts and Architectural focus, including course work in graphic design, interior design, product design, photography, marketing and public relations.
• Semester program - 3 months for PROGRAM A; 4 months for PROGRAM B
• Students take a full academic load of 12 to 18 core semester hours in an American university system
• Credits are fully transferable to a student's home institution
• The language exchange program enables foreign students to have contact with Costa Rican students to practice their Spanish and make friends
• Housing program with Costa Rican families interested in receiving exchange students in their homes
• Independent Living Option: Available after first month in country. (Ask about terms and price reduction.)
• Free tropical dance lessons once a week
• Soccer team games (co-ed)
• Conversation Partner program with Costa Rican Students-"Intercambios"
• Typical Latin American food cooking lessons
• Museum, Artisans Market and other visits
• Excursions organized to beaches, volcanoes and rainforest (small fee required, attendance optional)

Program A Course List - Spanish Classes and electives

INTENSIVE SPANISH CLASSES

SPANISH FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

SPANISH FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BORDER PATROL

ELECTIVE COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH

• Environmental Studies
• Arts and Humanities
• Business, Econonics and Communication
• History, Politics and International Relations

ELECTIVE COURSES TAUGHT IN SPANISH

• Literatura y Lingüística

INTENSIVE SPANISH CLASSES  GO TO INDEX

SPN 101 – Básico 1 (80 hours)
This course is an introduction to Spanish for beginners so no previous knowledge of the language is required. Students will develop the basic linguistic skills in order to communicate in common simple situations. The course covers basic grammatical structures, vocabulary, communicative expressions and frequent situations in settings such as restaurants, stores, buses and others. Emphasis is given on understanding, speaking, reading and cross-cultural perspectives.

SPN 102 – Básico 2 (80 hours)
This course is for students who have completed a minimum of 60 contact hours in Spanish studies and already have a command on elementary grammatical tenses. Students will advance on their previous experiential knowledge and further develop their oral, reading, written and listening skills. Students will expand their vocabulary and language usage in order to facilitate interaction with the Costa Rican environment and be able to express themselves in the past.

SPN 201 – Intermedio 1 (80 hours) Pre-requisite: SPN 102
Students in this course should have a good communicative command of usual everyday situations and a structural command of the present tense. The objective of this course is to develop the student’s skills emphasizing on oral and written presentations and more complex grammatical structures. Students should develop a good command of all past indicative tenses.

SPN 202 – Intermedio 2 (80 hours) Pre-requisite: SPN 201
This course emphasizes the discourse enrichment on contexts related to description and simple narrations. The contents include vocabulary building and detailed work with the subjunctive mode and other complex grammatical structures. Students will also learn idiomatic expressions used in Costa Rican.

SPN 301 – Avanzado 1(80 hours)
This course is based on grammatical analysis, expansion of vocabulary, idiomatic expressions through readings, and student compositions at a complex level. The objective is for students to acquire a high level of communicative Spanish that will permit them to express their opinion and thoughts on complex and controversial subjects.

SPN 302 – Avanzado 2 (80 hours)
This course is for students who want to polish their oral and written skills. Students should have a high linguistic level and full knowledge of grammatical structures in order to work on polishing stylistics. Students will practice narrative constructions, reactions on non expected contexts, how to report compiled information. The course also covers important aspects about myths, relieves and other cultural issues in Latin America.

SPN 310 – Español Conversacional Avanzado (80 hours)
This course is based on acquiring the skill of self correction. Students will acquire higher levels of diction and fluency through the exposure to oral contexts, idiomatic language and the varieties of Spanish spoken in different Spanish-speaking nations. This course develops skills in reading, discussion, analysis, self correction and research. Emphasis is given to pragmatic production and students must be prepared to spend a minimum of 2 extra hours per day for assignments.

SPN 304 – Español para Negocios (60 hours)
This course is for students with an advanced level of Spanish who wish to learn general information about the development and processes of some of Costa Rica’s main entrepreneurial settings. By the end of the course students will have a general knowledge of business

SPN 410 – Redacción Avanzada (80 hours)
This course is for high advanced level students who want to further develop their written skills through different composition practices and techniques. The course studies complex and difficult syntax topics. Special attention is given to stylistics and composition structure.

SPANISH FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS  GO TO INDEX

SPN 141 Basic Spanish for Health Professionals (100 hours)
Designed for the purpose of giving health personnel, who do not have any previous Spanish experience, the tools necessary for interacting with and interviewing simulated Spanish speaking patients. During the four weeks of the course the students will acquire the linguistic knowledge and skills that will permit them to communicate at a basic level with simulated Spanish speaking patients.

SPN 241 Intermediate Spanish for Health Professionals (100 hours)
Designed for health personnel that have taken a minimum of 100 elective hours of Spanish as a second language. The goal of this course is to deepen the knowledge of medical related Spanish vocabulary and structures and to increase the competency of communications in specifically simulated situations with Spanish speaking patients.

SPN 341 Advanced Spanish for Health Professionals (100 hours)
This course is designed for health personnel that have an advanced background in Spanish and who need to improve their linguistic competency in order to interact with their Spanish speaking patients and their families.

SPANISH FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BORDER PATROL  GO TO INDEX

SPN 151 Basic Spanish for Law Enforcement and Border Patrol
This course is designed for the purpose of giving general law enforcement professionals, who do not have any previous Spanish experience, the tools necessary for interacting with and interviewing simulated Spanish native speakers. During the four weeks of the course the students will acquire the linguistic knowledge and skills that will permit them to communicate at a basic level in simulated situations with Spanish native speakers.

SPN 251 Intermediate Spanish for Law Enforcement and Border Patrol
This course is designed for law enforcement professionals that have taken a minimum of 100 elective hours of Spanish as a second language. The goal of this course is to deepen the knowledge of law related Spanish and increase the competency of communications in specifically simulated situations with Spanish native speakers.

ELECTIVE COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH
Courses for which there is insufficient enrollment (less than 4 students) may be cancelled.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES  GO TO INDEX

ENV 3005: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT   4 credits (60 hrs)
An introduction to the study of major environmental problems and issues confronting modern society. Students will examine Ecosystems, population patterns and dynamics; use and misuse of resources; population and environmental quality; environmental citizenship and economic incentives and Costa Rican initiatives in eco-tourism.

ENV 3044: TROPICAL ECOLOGY 4 credits (60 hrs)
Students will learn about the interactions between earth and land and how this interactions or processes affect our life and the stability of the planet. Emphasis will be given to the study of the most relevant tropical ecosystems such as: tropical rain forest, cloud forests, coral reefs and mangroves.

Field trips to selected environments will provide on site examples of some of the issues learned through class work and readings. All field trips are mandatory.

ENV 3190: TROPICAL MARINE BIOLOGY 4 credits (60 hours)
The course studies the balance between ecosystems and human’ stress and demands on the constant changing marine environment. All field trips are mandatory.

ENV 4040: ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 4 credits (60 hours)
An introduction to the actual world problems in natural resources management and conservation, and its effects on sustainable development efforts in tropical countries. Current issues that condition the possibility for development such as poverty, global warming, deforestation and potable water will be analyzed.

ART AND HUMANITIES  GO TO INDEX

ARCH 3112: History of Latin American Architecture and Art  3 credits (48 hours)
A chronological overview of main invents and influences that contributed to the making of past and present architecture in Latin America analyzing the artistic manifestations.

ARCH 3200: Tropical Architecture  3 credits (48 hours)
The objective is to learn about climatic design in the tropics and develop the skills to analyze a particular geographical situation. Students will become familiarized with restricted resource usage; the knowledge of land and climate and the rural tradition where domestic construction is passed on from one generation to another.

DA 1020: Introduction to drawing  3 credits (48 hours)
This course offers the student the knowledge of the basic concepts and techniques of drawing by hand. Introduces and exercises procedures and criteria for the representation of three-dimensional space: perspective, score, negative and positive space, organizational lines, tonal values, etc.

DNCE 2500: INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICAN TROPICAL DANCE  3 credits (48 hours)
An introduction to technique, rhythm and movement style of Latin American Tropical Dance. History, anthropology, folklore and songs are part of this experiential course.

HUM 3500: CENTRAL AMERICAN ART AND CULTURE  3 credits (48 hours)
A survey of Central American art covering twenty centuries of aesthetic and cultural production: Pre-Conquest, Colonial, Baroque, Independence, Modern and Contemporary. We will examine the ways literature, spaces, objects, and images have functioned across a broad spectrum of history, region, and culture in what are now the Central American countries.

HUM 3513: ARTS AND HUMANITIES: COSTA RICA COLLOQUIUM   3 credits (48 hours)
A general survey of the complex heritage and social evolution of Costa Rica, examined through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary view focusing on the historical development and present day dynamics of economy, society, polity, natural resources and culture. Emphases will be placed upon different topics during the course, according to students' backgrounds and expectations.

ETH 3100: SELECTED TOPICS IN AFRO-CARIBBEAN STUDIES  3 credits (48 hrs) (Can also count for ETHN 3100 Selected Topics in Ethnic Studies)
This course examines a particular topic, theme, issue, or problem concerning the Black presence in Costa Rica and Central America. Sample offerings could include Central America and ethnic politics, history and Culture, Blacks in Central American governments, Contemporary Black literature, History of the Black experience in Costa Rica.

PHIL 3100: COMPARATIVE CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHY  3 credits (48 hours)
An overview of the history and selected concepts in major eastern and western philosophical movements and systems from ancient to the middle age periods. Students will reflect on certain topics such as mind-body, Concept of God, knowledge of self and others, predestination and free will, cause and effect and other fundamental ideas in classical knowledge.

PHOT 2100: Ecological Photography  4 credits (60 hours)
A general knowledge in the reaches and the stages of digital photography. By applying these principles in photographing wildlife, students will develop skills to create clearer images on a given subject. Students will undertake the task of observing and photographing flora and fauna in its natural environment. The course also studies how to manipulate and arrange images digitally in order to create an effective visual presentation

PHOT 2130: Cultural Photography  3 credits (48 hours)
Practical exercises and field trips students will apply the theoretical information provided in lectures to consciously explore Costa Rican culture. The focus of the projects is the creation of photographic images in black and white.

PHOT 2600: Digital Photography  3 credits (48 hours)
The course offers a general knowledge in the reaches and the stages of digital photography.Through practice exercises aiming to apply the information provided through lectures, students will be able to consciously create and manipulate digital photographic images.

BUSINESS, ECONOMICS AND COMMUNICATION  GO TO INDEX

COMM 3200: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION  3 credits (48 hours)
This course addresses issues of diversity and commonalities amongst human beings, implications and applications according to each situation and professional context. Students will develop skills for intercultural competence.

ECON 3403: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS & LATIN AMERICA  3 credits (48 hours)
Examines Latin American policies that affect the international economy, with attention to trade barriers, economic nationalism and regionalism, international political economy, exchange market intervention and international transmission of economic perturbations. Pre- Requisite ECON 1000, or ECON 2010 and 2020.

GEB 3350: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS  3 credits (48 hours)
An overview of cultural environment of international business and the institutions which affect business today. The Latin American perspective with regard to the U.S., Asia and Europe is examined: NAFTA, Merco sur, the EC and other common market areas and agreements. .

GEB 3500: ECOTOURISM: THE COSTA RICA CASE  4 credits (48 hours)
It will offer the chance to analyze this dynamic process from different socio-economic perspectives. It will discuss the economic importance of ecotourism for the Costa Rican national economy, the stimulation of grassroots, community ecotourism projects, and the role of ecotourism in securing environmental protection. The advances and limitations of ecotourism will be explored.

MGMT 3021: LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT  3 credits (48 hrs)
An overview of logistics management areas within the domestic and international contexts. Examines logistics objectives such as warehousing, inventory control, transportation, import-export logistics, etc. Emphasis is given on the importance of legal aspects in certain logistics areas.

MGMT 3030: CRITICAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS  3 credits (48 hrs)
Provides the opportunity to learn about and practice the skills required for managerial excellence. These skills include leadership, negotiation, conducting performance appraisals, delegation, effective communication, interviewing and making hiring decisions and effective human resource management.

HISTORY, POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS  GO TO INDEX

HIS 3290: Costa Rican Economic Development: from Coffee and bananas to ecotourism and microchips  
This course introduces the outstanding socio-economic and political features that have shaped and defined the history and development path of Costa Rica.

POL 3100 Costa Rican Tradition: Peace and Democracy  3 credits (48 hours)
The general objective of this course is to discuss, with students, the social, economic and political issues of the process of construction of peace and democracy in Costa Rica and Central America (1948-2005).

POL 3220 Migration Issues:  the Costa Rica case (48 hours)
This class studies the construction of migrants as others, the management of their image by media and elements pertaining human rights and citizenship in the cases immigrants in Costa Rica and opening the possibility to compare the United States as a host country. The objective is to visualize the construction of cultural identities, its effects on the intergroup encounters and societal perspectives on migration.

POL 3450 International Relations in Latin America
The course will analyze the aspects of the Economic Integration, globalization and conditions for a successful integration between economies and the effects of free trade in the region as well as the effects of protectionism. There will be a special treatment on foreign investments and joint ventures in the Latin America.

POL 3740 Economic Integration in Latin America
This course will analyze the beginning of the International Relations in Latin America and the most important historical facts that marked the politics in the region in the current era. The focus of this course is on the historic background of the region before independence and post independence that helped to consolidate the American hegemony and the insertion of foreign investment, the North American imperialism and the Latin-American resistance.

POL 2500: Human Rights in Latin America  3 credits (48 hours)
A particular emphasis will be given to the case of Costa Rica, giving the students an opportunity to explore the development of human rights in the following areas: women’s rights, children’s rights, HIV/AIDS, the CAFTA agreement and labor rights, indigenous groups and human rights, disability and age issues, and the prison environment.

ELECTIVE COURSES TAUGHT IN SPANISH (12 WEEKS)

LITERATURA Y LINGÜÍSTICA  GO TO INDEX

SPN 3020: LECTURAS SELECTAS DE LA LITERATURA LATINOAMERICANA  3 credits (48 hours)
Estudio de autores, corrientes literarias o particularidades de género en la literatura Latinoamericana.

SPN 3050: Fonética y Fonología  3 credits (48 hours)
En este curso se aprenden métodos y herramientas de la lingüística descriptiva aplicada a la fonética y articulación.

SPN 4110: ESCRITORAS CONTEMPORANEAS COSTARRICENSES  3 credits (48 hours)
El curso aborda la principal producción literaria femenina en Costa Rica. Se enfoca en el análisis de temáticas presentes en los diferentes textos y su relación con la realidad nacional. Prereq. SPN 301

SPN 4390: El CINE Y LA LITERATURA LATINOAMERICANA  3 credits (48 hours)
Estudio de la producción cinematográfica en relación con la literatura en Latino América. Prereq. SPN 301

Program B Course List

ART, DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE COURSES

• ADVERTISING DESIGN
• ARCHITECTURE
• FILM & T.V.
• DIGITAL ANIMATION
• INTERIOR DESIGN
• PHOTOGRAPHY
• PRODUCT DESIGN

ART, DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE COURSES

15 week semesters - Students with an ADVANCED level of Spanish only

ADVERTISING DESIGN  GO TO INDEX

ADDS 101: Design I (6 credits)
This course is an introduction to the study of design as the anatomy of a visual language. The program is oriented to reveal feeling and the professional vocation with a view of the comprehension of the social and universal values of visual graphic communication.

ADDS 104: Labeling and outlining (4 credits)
This course studies the typography and its application in the graphic solution of design. The course expands on alphabets and symbols as points of escape and the dominion of work instruments.

ADDS 203: Advertising Composition I (3 credits)
The course focuses on writing efficient, creative, and original messages for advertising announcements. Students will analyze and criticize existent texts in advertising.

ADDS 204: Presentation Techniques I (4 credits)
This course develops the principles for using techniques of graphic representation, materials, and the use of color, which the student should decide and apply experimentally in the solution of a visual requirement for the presentation of a project.

ADDS 205: History of Advertising Design I (3 credits)
This course presents the general problems of Art, Culture, and Civilization. Students will analyze basic notions and categories in the visualization of their complex historical origin in the development of the cultures and of art from pre-history to the Renaissance. The course stimulates an investigative attitude for the recognition of the artistic image.

ADDS 304: Marketing I (3 credits)
This course brings about aspects of marketing techniques, information systems, consumer conduct, buyer conduct, competitive advantage, and others.

ADDS 404: Communication I (3 credits)
This program addresses punctual knowledge to understand the interrelation within communication and other sciences, like semiotics and Advertising Design. Students will deal with basic principles in the planning of the advertising campaign process where it is necessary to launch with a basic end of persuasion.

ADDS 603: Advertising Psychology (3 credits)
This course focuses on the knowledge of the relationship between public, market, psychology, and processes such as motivation, perception, personality, as part of critical and creative methods of advertising strategies.

ARCHITECTURE  GO TO INDEX

ARCH 103: Graphic Expression I (3 credits)
This course develops drawing abilities in the lifted-hand technique as a fundamental tool for the expression of architectural thought and exercising the application of fundamental elements of composition as textures, proportion, volume, etc. exploring the feeling of the student and their creative potentials.

ARCH 302: Theory of Architecture I (3 credits)
This course introduces fundamental concepts of contemporary thought related to the student’s capability to make diagnostics about the problems that they confront in real architectural space. This course develops the process of evaluation and theoretical maintenance of urban and architectural proposals through the critical reflection through process development and amplification of individual thought.

ARCH 403: History of Architecture I (3 credits)
This course is a survey of architectural design through the historical development of humanity. Students will reflect on the connection of ideological, aesthetic, and constructive aspects in different cultural spaces through the theoretical and critical revision of twentieth century designs and specific examples in Costa Rica.

FILM & T.V.  GO TO INDEX

CTV 104: History of Film I (4 credits)
This course offers a general vision of film as a method of artistic expression, massive communication and as an industry of entertainment. It deals with subject guidelines such as: language, structure of work, and cinematographic genres which analyze the factors that take part in the production and commercial exploitation of a movie. A survey of different trends, works and authors represented in the history of film.

CTV 204: History of Film II (4 credits)
This course focuses on the elements of cinematographic language developed during the twentieth century such as the incorporation of sound with digital and special effects. Student will learn to recognize the phenomena of film as a result of social, aesthetic, and economic relations through the formal and reflexive analysis of paradigmatic examples of large European and American productions.

CTV 302: Script Theory and Techniques (4 credits)
This course introduces the techniques of dramatic composition from a semiological focus through the study and the comprehension of the theory of visual codes and the processes of meaning that the writing implies for these representations. Analyzes and exercises the elements that an audiovisual script is composed of and its specifics for different communicative mediums: radio, film, and T.V.

CTV 304: History of Film III (4 credits)
This course deals with the most relevant stages and productions of Latin American cinematography and its relation to universal film. Students will learn about the importance of the construction of regional and national identities in Latin America through the analysis of three large film production centers of the first half of the century: Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. The course emphasizes the evolution of Costa Rican film from its beginning to the present era.

CTV 403: Cinematographic Aesthetics (3 credits)
This course proposes the aesthetic analysis of expressive methods of film and T.V. through the study and debate of film theories and the definition of the particular and differentiating features of cinematographic language as a particular expressive resource. Students will deal with the relations within the aesthetic theories of T.V. (representative authors of different eras and tendencies) and their socio-historic and ideological conditioning.

CTV 504: Costa Rican Culture (4 credits)
This course is a general and integral panorama of the Costa Rican culture from its origin until the contemporary era through the evolutionary analysis of different branches of artistic production: literary, plastic, musical, and scenic. This course sets out from a perspective that favors the reflection upon the evolution of these artistic processes through fundamental themes to understand the local culture as a case of identity and the characteristics of the definition and application of cultural politics through history.

DIGITAL ANIMATION  GO TO INDEX

DA 101: Design I ( 3 credits)
This course introduces the basic principles in Design through the analysis and application of the theories of the visual alphabet: composition, proportion, scale, etc. Students will learn to understand them as a linguistic resource for the conception and projection of ideas. The course offers the necessary tools for the development of abilities in two dimensional representation using different techniques of expression in black and white, like the use of graphite and ink in diverse mediums with the goal of inciting experimentation and creativity.

DA 102: Drawing I (3 credits)
This course develops the knowledge of the basic concepts and techniques of drawing by hand. Introduces and exercises procedures and criteria for the representation of three-dimensional space: perspective, score, negative and positive space, organizational lines, tonal values, etc. This course focuses on the learning and application of expressive drawing and free drawing which allows the student the possibility to develop abilities of reproducing an image, and at the same time, their skill and intuition before the creative process.

DA 103: Introduction to Multimedia (4 credits)
This course offers the basic tools necessary to be able to begin to express their thoughts in three large areas: Digital art, digital animation, and interactivity. Addresses and exercises concepts like timeline, frame, script, creation, and editing of bitmap images. The course introduces themes related with editing, creation, and post-production of videos.

DA 104: Aesthetics and representation (3 credits)
This course is an exposure to the fundamental aspects of the evolution of philosophical thought with attention given to detailed models of history (classic, modern, contemporary) in their relation with the concepts of space and representation offering the student basic instruments to develop an appropriate conceptual and critical reflection on their field of professional work

DA 105: Artistic Literature (3 credits)
This course addresses literature as a form of particular artistic expression and explores it in this specialization as an alternative for the construction of speeches of high symbolic content. The study and interpretive decoding of universal literatures master works favors the humanist formation within the student. Provides idea-aesthetic essential for the cultural and imaginative development, which is required in the professional field of digital animation.

DA 203: Animation 1 (3 credits)
This course introduces the basic principles of animation through specific exercises about the expressive possibilities of movement apparent in the animated drawings (fabrication), the language, style, time, rhythm, (gesticulations), sound, and the personality of the characters utilizing the digital technology to accelerate the learning process.

DA 204: History of Animation I (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the study of animation through the technical, aesthetic, and social analysis, which determines the development of artistic methods. The course analyzes the particularities of this industry through the recognition of the pioneering studies developed in the U.S.A. in the first half of the 20th century, the evolutionary process throughout history placing emphasis on stylistic definitions, and criteria of the preferences of public spectators.

DA 205: Basic Principles of Acting (3 credits)
The fundamental concepts related to the field of interpretive art and essential tools for the foundation of a professional of audiovisual production. Brings about themes like the role, the specific functions of the director and actor, and analyzes the dramatic text as a point of interaction within both components of the creative proposal. The course reflects on the importance of the script and the director’s accurate presentation of strategies that make feasible an organized production with efficiency of resource investment both economic and temporal.

DA 405: Art and Civilization (3 credits)
This course establishes the coordinated fundamentals for the development of different forms of artistic expression from its origin until the contemporary era. The course analyzes the cultural process through the relations between image, design, and thought systems centering attention on symbolic models, which allow the establishment of historical guidelines as they appeared. The elected themes favor the recognition of the dialogical relations between the western culture and Latin America, this as an enrichment and the actualization of the focuses for the reflection on the most recent artistic practices.

INTERIOR DESIGN  GO TO INDEX

INDS 101: Composition and Form Workshop I (4 credits)
This course introduces the basic elements of visual communication through abstract two-dimensional methods. Defines and exercises concepts of composition, contrast, balance, proportion, rhythm, representation, association, symbolism, etc. taking into account the linguistic and cultural implications in the area of design.

INDS 103: Introduction to Research Methods (3 credits)
This course instructs and motivates students in the development of research as a basic component of the creative process and as an essential way to assimilate and construct knowledge. Based on relationships between concepts of science, art, and research and fundamental definitions this course will establish guidelines of historical behavior. From this premise the student will learn to investigate and consider artistic products related to their specialization.

INDS 203: Color Workshop (4 credits)
This course deals with the fundamental theories and the perception of color through the analysis of psychological, symbolic, and semiological attributes and the application of these concepts to interior design. This course favors the generation of creative and original proposals for the solution of projects, which categorize the communicative potential of colors in relation to the function of spaces that qualify.

INDS 303: Aesthetic Psychology (3 credits)
This course deals with the general aspects of the theory of perception as a cognitive construction from the world in which we live, emphasizing the principles of interior design as a strategy to generate pleasing environmental experiences, security, or motivational inspiration. This course focuses on the environment as a scenario of communication and social interaction, and as a system of symbols and emotional dispositions of a space as text. The course is oriented towards the reflexive and creative capacities of future interior designers in their relationship with potential clients.

INDS 304: History of Interior Design I (4 credits)
This course analyzes and reflects on different stages of the historical development of private life (from the primitive community to the Middle Ages) assuming the definition of living as social space. The main theme corresponds with references to occidental cultures and will bring about the comparative study of the results of important centers of Oriental societies, pre-Hispanic with views that favor student knowledge and the amplification of cultural and aesthetic concepts. The course offers the necessary interdisciplinary perspective using, as fundamental sources, the History of Art, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology of Art, Theory of Design, Culture and Architecture theories

INDS 305: Materials I (3 credits)
This course offers the student theoretical and logical definitions, techniques that are fundamental for the recognition and utilization of different materials of construction (concrete, lumber, metals, transparent materials, lights, etc.) in the planning and implementation of an interior design project. These practical duties favor respective reflection and the application of these materials to a functional aesthetic point of view.

PHOTOGRAPHY  GO TO INDEX

PHOT 101: Introduction to Photography (must take concurrently with 102) (2 credits)
This is a theoretical/practical course that will introduce the fundamental theories and basic processes of the photographic camera

Reflex of 35mm and the specifications of its use, the different types of film negatives in black and white their characteristics and potentials for their application etc. This course looks at the hierarchy of the significance of light and its connection with nature, distribution, and relation with the formation of visual images and photographs, these with the existent relations between time of exposure and lighting.

PHOT 102 Photography Laboratory I (must take concurrently with 101) (2 credits)
This course deals with the basic processes of the laboratory, and the knowledge of the variables for the use of materials of service: equipment and materials for developing black and white photography, the film (handle, density, grain), the paper (XXXXX, fixed grain, variable contrast), chemicals, techniques to control the contrast (filters, plate restrictions, intensifiers), techniques to improve the zones of photography (stands, masks, filters), etc.

PHOT 305 Latin American Culture (3 credits)
This course deals with the fundamental guidelines of Latin American thought through the representative exponents of literary productions. This course evaluates Latin America’s development from colonial time to the contemporary era emphasizing the benefits of narratives as essential resources for the bringing about of cultural reflection around the region with a construction of the students own imagination.

PHOT 404 History of Photography I (3 credits)
This course introduces the history and evolution of photography from its origin (1839) until 1920. Through the knowledge and evaluative analysis of works and representative authors of this chronological segment this course will bring about the reflection on the development of the technical particularities of photography and its significance from the documental and cultural point of view.

PHOT 604 Costa Rican and Latin American Photography (3 credits)
The course analyzes the development of photography in Latin America with emphasis placed on Costa Rica, taking notice of the most significant guidelines in its evolution while evaluating its significance in the historical context of world photography. Students will study works produced by Latin American artists and Costa Rican correspondents of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This course covers the recognition of the photographic image as an expressive resource of high cultural representation and brings about the historical investigation and the updating of the theme in the Latin American and local arena.

PRODUCT DESIGN  GO TO INDEX

PRDS 101 Design I (5 credits)
This course deals with the two fundamental aspects of the design process: first it centers the students’ attention on the basic studies of the genesis of form and its connection to the field of design and second, it assimilates the visual perception and the initial phenomenon of visual communication.

PRDS 204 Product Design Methodology (3 credits)
The goal of this course is to provide a tool for the channeling and directing of creativity as a solution for diverse kinds of design problems. Contributes to the formation of the capacity to structure work methods and confront solving problems.

PRDS 303 Industrial Design History (3 credits)
This course introduces characterizes the design of a product from its social and economic origin and its communication with the technological advances and techniques. The course stresses the vision of the design process not only from the designers’ perspective but also with the participation of other agents that make the materialization of the design possible, its industrial development, commercialization, and its final uses.

Some ideas of the kinds of excursions and activities available in our Costa Rica program... (Availability is based on various things, including weather, number of candidates who sign up, availability of transportation and more).

Manuel Antonio National Park

It's a National Park on the Central Pacific, and it's one of the most beautiful beaches found in this region of the country. The landscape is composed of white sands and warm waters surrounded by lush vegetation. You can see a variety of Flora and Fauna including white-faced monkeys, sloths, raccoons and many other species of rodents and birds.

Includes: Transportation, accommodations (in a hotel or cabin of your choice) and Breakfast
Departure: Friday
Return: Sunday

Arenal Volcano/ Hot Springs

One of the active volcanoes that can be found in Costa Rica. During the day you can see smoke emanating from the crater. With the dark of night you can see bright red eruptions of lava, which create relaxing hot springs.

Includes: Transportation, lunch, dinner, entrance to hot springs
Departure: 8:00 A.M.
Return: 11:00 P.M.

Canopy Tour

You can either go to Poas or San Lorenzo. This trip is done on ropes amongst the treetops. Appreciate first hand the great biodiversity that nature has to offer. The tours are done with very good equipment and visitors are secured with harnesses and security lines. Go between bridges and platforms 15 meters off the ground or higher, as high as 27 meters.

Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance, guide
Departure: 7:00 A.M.
Return: 4:00 P.M.

Should you wish to participate in more activities and excursions than what is included in your program, you absolutely can! We make these and more available to you -- all are very worthwhile, guided by a trusted resource -- and the cost typically will be less than you would pay on your own.