CEC Expedition Semester Calendar
This calendar shows the topics and field studies for each week during the semester. Specific topics will change semester to semester based on community and partner organization availability.
Culture, Ecology, and Community
CEC Semester Calendar
| Weeks | Block / Course | Content & Field Studies |
|---|---|---|
Weeks 1–4 Block 1 | Thai Language & Society | Week 1 — Thai Geography and History Field studies: Urban transect of the old city; Ban Haw and Wararot markets; Chiang Mai City Arts and Lanna Folklife Museum; Sunday Walking Street. Week 2 — Thai Society and Social Structure Field studies: Wat Suan Dok — discussion with monks; mosque community visit. IFRP proposal due. Week 3 — Thai Politics, History, Gender, and Human Rights Field studies: NGO visit; multi-day expedition and leadership in the field. Week 4 — Local Communities in a Global Context Field studies: Patara Elephant Farm and Veterinary Clinic. IFRP presentations and field journals due. |
Weeks 5–8 Block 2 | Sustainable Food Systems | Week 5 — Seminar Week Agroecology and food sovereignty; regenerative agriculture; smallholder farming in Southeast Asia. IFRP proposals due. Week 6 — Lowland Organic Farming Host family homestay in an organic farming village; farm and market surveys; agroforestry and compost practicums; integrated pest management. Week 7 — Organic Farming and Food Sovereignty Continued village-based learning; village seed bank and seed saving; mid-course seminar and IFRP progress updates. Week 8 — Coffee Agroforestry and Cash Crops Upland coffee farm homestay; cacao farm visit; cannabis production study. Final exam and IFRP presentations. |
Weeks 9–12 Block 3 | Political Ecology of Forests | Week 9 — Seminar Week Political ecology; the commons and ethnic minorities; community-based forest management; biodiversity and carbon. Field trip: Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU), Chiang Mai University. IFRP proposals due. Week 10 — Karen Villages and Mountain Transect Royal Forestry Department meeting; backpacking through remote mountain forest to Karen villages; host family homestays; hike observations and village meetings. Week 11 — Rotational Farming and Forest Ecology Continued backpacking through remote mountain forest to Karen villages; rotational farming practicum; biodiversity and forest surveys; mid-course seminar and IFRP updates; cultural exchange night. Week 12 — Land Rights, Culture, and Course Wrap-Up Community forestry rights and land titling; culture learning day; traditional weaving and natural dyes; meeting with local government. Return to Chiang Mai. Final exam and IFRP presentations. |
Weeks 13–16 Block 4 | Culture & Ecology of Southern Thailand | Week 13 — Seminar Week Marine and coastal ecosystems; threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing; ocean governance; coastal livelihoods. IFRP proposals due. Week 14 — Mangroves and Coastal Fishing Communities Island and coastal community homestays; mudflat, seagrass, and mangrove surveys; small-scale fishery; sea kayaking through mangrove channels; meetings with fishing communities and government resource management agencies. Mid-course seminar. Week 15 — Reef and Marine Ecology Multi-day sea kayak camping expedition; coral reef transect and zonation surveys; snorkeling and skin diving reefs; discussions with Urak Lawoi sea people; National Park staff meeting. Week 16 — Islands and Wrap-Up Continued sea kayaking and field studies; return to Chiang Mai. Final exam and IFRP presentations. |
All 16 Weeks Language | Thai Language (6 credits) | Taught every morning throughout all 16 weeks when students are in Chiang Mai, providing continuous immersive language instruction alongside each content block. Note: In the Spring semester, Blocks 3 and 4 are reversed — Culture & Ecology of Southern Thailand is taught before Political Ecology of Forests. |
Application Deadlines
Semester Application Deadlines: Fall – March 15 / Spring – October 15
Summer Application Early Decision: January 15 / Deadline: April 15
Some programs fill quickly! Apply early to secure your spot. After the deadline we will accept students on a space available basis, so contact us at [email protected]