southafrica
South Africa Paleoanthropology Field School
June 22–July 20, 2012
The Institute of Human Origins in ASU's School of Human Evolution and Social Change, in conjunction with the Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town (UCT), offers a field opportunity focused on the west coast of South Africa. The ASU course co-coordinator is associate professor Kaye Reed, and the UCT course co-coordinator is Dr. Deano Stynder. In the program, students will learn about the ecology, paleoecology and conservation of the unique habitat of this region; excavate 730,000-year-old fossils; and learn about the modern mammal communities of Africa at Kruger National Park.
For the first three days after arrival, students will become familiar with the fynbos environment and sites around Cape Town, such as Iziko, the South African Museum, Table Mountain and Cape Point. During this time, you will reside in a conveniently located youth hostel and will have the opportunity to explore the sites and sounds of Cape Town on your own time. We leave for the field on the fourth day. For the next three weeks, we will excavate newly discovered fossil localities, one of which is approximately 2 million years old! You will have the opportunity to excavate and learn faunal identification skills! While in the field, we will live in a spacious house in the seaside village of Strandfontein. During the evenings, you will be expected to assist with the curation of the day's excavated finds and to help with dinner preparation.
The expected costs of this program are $6,685 (to be finalized soon) and will cover 6 credits of coursework, food while in the field, transportation to scheduled activities, laboratory supplies and field equipment.
2012 Agenda (subject to change)
June 22-24: Cape Town
June 25-July 15: Fieldwork on the west coast of South Africa
July 16-20: Kruger National Park
July 20: Program ends in Cape Town
Coursework
Students will receive 6 credits of ASM 338: Anthropological Field Sessions for participation in this program.
Application Process
(Deadline March 1)
Step 1
Students must submit their application, along with a 1-page, double-spaced statement explaining their academic background/goals, their research interests and why they are interested in participating in this fieldwork experience; they must also turn in an unofficial transcript (available through MyASU). Click here to download the application.
Step 2
Admitted students will be notified whether or not they are accepted by April 13. Once admitted, students will be required to sign up for the program through the Study Abroad office and pay a $100 application fee, which will go towards student health insurance while abroad.
Step 3
Students will sign up for 6 credits of ASM 338 Anthropological Field Sessions and attend a pre-departure orientation.
All materials should be handed to Lexi Shulla, the study abroad program assistant, in SHESC 233. Questions should be directed to shesc.global@asu.edu.
Costs
Below is a list of expected costs.
| Program Time | ~28 Days |
| Application Deposit, Health Insurance, 6 Credits and Program Fee (covering all accommodations, food while in the field, transportation to internship activities, laboratory supplies and training materials) | $6,685 |
| Included# of Credit Hours | 6 |
| Health Insurance | Included |
| Passport | $130 |
| Airfare | ~$2,300 |
| Recommended Allowance for Food while in Cape Town and Kruger Park | $300 |
| Recommended Allowance for Other Expenses (laundry, Internet, souvenirs and extra spending) | $400 |
Call for applications opens soon. Places in the program are awarded in the order of application, so early application is always advised to be sure of securing a space.
Past Student Comments (coming soon)
For more information, e-mail or call the
