Program Overview
Live and study for a week inside the Smokies National Park. The course is split into two parts: (1) 7-day experiential field program (held the week immediately before Fall Semester begins) and (2) follow-up seminars (held during the early part of the Fall Semester at a time that meets your schedule). This is an Experiential Learning approved course which you register for as part of your Fall Semester courses (i.e., tuition fees are covered as part of the Fall Semester). It is appropriate for students of all disciplines and for anyone with an interest in being in the outdoors. Click here to watch a three minute video of the Smokies program.
The Park is our outdoor classroom and there will be a number of guided hikes (including to the high country, local waterfalls, and Cades Cove) to understand the natural and cultural history of the Smokies. Learn about wildlife in the Park and how they are managed, engage in innovative environmental education and interpretative programs (from catching salamanders to air quality), participate in your own self-reflection (and discover more about yourself), and understand why the small things matter in biodiversity. A hands-on, practical approach is used to explore the scope of human – environment relationships in the most visited national park in the country. For more information about our accommodations and where we stay in the Park, check out Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.
Program Itinerary
Click on the link below to learn more about the program itinerary
Smoky Mountains National Park
Credits
* Field Studies in Conservation FORS (ANTH) 4270/6270 3 credits. There are no course prerequisites.
This course is cross-listed with ANTH 4270/6270. Please contact your advisor to see which of our cross-listed courses will best fit into your schedule. The 4000 level courses are for undergraduate students and 6000 level courses are for graduates and honors students. This is an Experiential Learning (EL-) approved course at UGA but please confirm with your advisor.
Costs
Program cost includes all accommodations, field excursions, cultural events, transportation, and all meals (except one lunch). Tuition is part of Fall registration and HOPE or Zell Miller apply. Download the Estimated Costs for a more detailed breakdown.
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Testimonials
“Go! No matter what your major. It’s hard work but I’ve never learned so much so quickly.”
“All time favorite class in college career. Definitely go!”
“This was the best class [taken in college]. We spent a week living within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, learning natural and cultural history. We hiked through old-growth forests and up to waterfalls. We studied rivers and bears. We debated over tourism and policy surrounding the park. It was thought-provoking and exciting and really pushed me to think beyond what I thought I understood about environmental education. I think it has made me a more critical thinker about our natural resources, and I gained a wonderful group of friends.”
“Action packed, but very fun”.
“This was by far the best class I have taken in college so far and I am so glad to have had that experience”
“I enjoyed this class. I think I got so much out of it because it was so hands on.”
“I think that I’ve put more into the work for this course than I do for my normal classes. Not because I needed to, but because I wanted to. Great course, great instructors.”
“Do it – eye opening!”
“I really enjoyed my time spent at Tremont. I feel like I was able to learn new things in a a fun and engaging setting”
“Great class and learned a ton. Loved the hiking.”
“Awesome course, awesome instructor.”
“Excellent. all of the activities and lessons were informative, thought-provoking and fun”