Malta Summer Field School

  Belgium

Leuven

  Malta

Victoria

Term: Summer 
Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Please inquire for specific dates.

Description: The Anthropology field school is held on the charming islet of Gozo, in the Maltese Archipelago. Gozo is one of the three inhabited main islands of the Maltese Archipelago (Malta, Gozo and Comino) in the heart of the Mediterranean. Described as Europe's best kept secret, Malta is surrounded by crystal clear waters, enjoys year-round sunshine and is the home of numerous cultural, artistic and natural treasures.

With 7,000 years of history, the islands of Malta present a kaleidoscope of the past and present: a fascinating legacy of European culture and rural Mediterranean traditions represented in the living history of the fishing villages. Even though Malta possesses a typical island culture, its location at the crossroads of maritime routes between Europe, Africa and Asia has not only made the islands strategically important but also a 'melting-pot' for different cultures. The influences of the various cultures that have controlled Malta are still seen today. The most apparent are probably the influences on the modern Maltese language, which is derived from Arabic (Arab control between AD 870-1090). Still, the Maltese language is written in the Latin alphabet, which provides evidence of the impact of Romance language.. The megaliths of Malta and Gozo are believed to date from the same era as its prehistoric civilization (around 5,200 BC), making them among the oldest of the world. The main megalithic temples of Malta (including Ggantija or the Giant's Tower on the islet of Gozo) and the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum have been designated as world heritage sites by UNESCO. More or less at the same time the cartruts or tracks of Malta were also created. These puzzling archaeological phenomena are unique both in scale and nature - they run for kilometres on the hard rock ledges of the highlands, sometimes dropping sheer into the sea. Clearly then, Malta provides anthropologists a fascinating range of research possibilities: from architectural and religious topics to tourism and the study of hybrid cultures.

Students will also be presented with a huge variety of traditional crafts and trades of the island such as fishing, making fireworks, baking bread, cheese- and wine-making and many more. Any of these serve as interesting avenues for ethnographic study.

Highlights: Course description

The course runs for 20 days, starting on the 1st of July ending on July 21st. The five working days of the weeks will be reserved for fieldwork, fieldtrips as well as college lectures by academic experts.

The lectures will provide participants insight of the Maltese society and culture, it's economic and architectural configuration, and of tourism and ethnic relations. Also they will deal with different angles within social and cultural anthropology and their methods for those who feel less comfortable within this area or are new to this science? These lectures in turn provide inspiration for fieldwork. The aim of the personal fieldwork in particular is to allow participants to research topics of their interest with professional help when needed. The fieldtrips are intended as individual anthropological explorations of the islet in small groups.

Schedule

The structure of the field-school is one of open-ended pursuit of ethnographic study. Your days can then be spent either in the thick of it (chasing interviews, meetings, consultations with your supervisor) or for those students that require more direction; hour long lunch classes are offered to place some structure around research by discussing broad anthropological themes (methodology, history and practice of Anthropology etc). Taking advantages of these midday classes might also be of use for anthropologists that are early on in their career. A panel of guest-lecturers from a variety of Universities will also offer additional lectures on broad themes relating to the culture of Gozo and Malta.

Early in the Field school, once you've been introduced to the staff and your fellow anthropologists, you will be introduced to the local libraries. After that you should have all the resources you need at your disposal to pursue individually tailored research objectives with the assistance of your assigned supervisor.

Optional courses

Anthropological Photography
Anthropology of Food
Diving Course

Certification

At the end of the course, participants will receive a certificate of participation that will summarise their course performance. Participants that perform exceedingly well will receive a letter of recommendation that will help facilitate participation in other international anthropological research events. All research findings resulting from the summer school will be published and professionally communicated.

Directed at

The course is directed towards young anthropologists and cultural scientists; however, any individual who would like to learn about anthropological research and fieldwork is welcome. Previous knowledge or experience is not required. We aim for a very individual program that can start at any level. Even PhD. research (or pre-research) can be included and guided. The school has a strong socio-cultural focus, but any topic can be covered in the individual program of the student.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 2400

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 12

Scholarships are Available. Expeditions and IMMRC hand out three scholarships that cover the complete cost of the summerschool 2009. Scholarships are selected based on a research proposal that can be performed during the project. Requirements: * an original anthropological research proposal * 500-1500 words * covering topic and methodology * sent to us by mail or e-mail before January 31, 2009 * no academic requirements

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Expeditions, Research in Applied Anthropology's Mission Statement: Expeditions, Research in Applied Anthropology is a growing worldwide independent network of scholars in the human sciences, offering anthropological fieldwork and studies. Our research offers a conceptual scheme for the whole context of human experience. Because of its multidisciplinary, qualitative and diachronic perspective, our focus holds the key to many fundamental questions of recurrent and contemporary relevance. We apply a no-nonsense approach: clear, firm and efficient. Our teams are flexible and dynamic: from sunrise to sunset, from sunset to sunrise. And we do love challenges. Expeditions fights against racism and maintains a strong belief in democracy.

Year Founded: 1996