Mindful Observation of Nature: Island Biodiversity in Hawai’i

About this Travel Course

Course Description

This immersive RISD Global Summer Studies course, based on the island of Hawai’i gives, students the opportunity to explore and document the island’s unique biodiversity, biogeography, and ecology; observe firsthand the forces (such as climate change, deforestation, invasive species, and pollution) that have driven many species to extinction and created opportunities for others to thrive; and, learn about the historical and current connections between art, conservation, and local and Indigenous environmental practices. 

Students will practice the Hawaiian concept of “kilo” or mindful observation, place-based learning through careful and close observation and examination. Daily activities will include lectures, walks-in-nature, and art-making-in-nature. Students will also learn traditional approaches to craft making, water use, and farming from local experts and visit various locations to observe Hawai'i’s “land division system” and explore several unique natural areas. Guided by a “Hawaiian sense of place,” students will make regular entries in their field notebooks and document their experiences through a combination of writing and art-making.

Eligibility

RISD Students

If your current cumulative GPA is 2.5 or above, you are eligible for registration. If your current cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, you must first contact the Registrar at registrar@risd.edu to seek exception to this academic policy.

Non-RISD Participants

If you are a college student currently enrolled in another art and design college or institution around the world you are eligible for registration. We will collect a recommendation and support form from your institution within the application.

In order to register for RISD Global Summer Studies, you are expected to have a high level of English (speech, writing, and comprehension) as all coursework and critique is delivered in English, and your current cumulative GPA must be 2.5 or above.

Attendance Policy

Global Summer Studies are three weeks long and take place in June and July. You are required to attend all program activities scheduled during the travel course. RISD Global Summer Studies comply with RISD class attendance policy. In case of unexcused or multiple absences, you may be removed from the course, given a grade of “W" (withdrawal) or a grade of “F” (fail).

Withdrawal Policy

Requesting to withdraw from a RISD off-campus global learning program, including RISD Global Summer Studies, prior to the start of the course is highly discouraged and requires a formal process outlined in the RISD course withdrawal policy. It is not possible for a student to drop a RISD Global Summer Studies travel course via the standard Add/Drop process after it has commenced. In the case of unforeseen and extenuating circumstances (and only after students have spoken with the faculty lead and RISD Global for approval to withdraw from the program), students should be aware that no refund will be issued.

More Info

In order to reserve a seat, a non-refundable deposit of $500 is required at the time of application submittal. Students will submit full payment for the course when all seats are occupied but no later than March 17, 2025. Students that fail to make full payment by their deadline will forfeit their $500 deposit and their seat in the course.

All RISD students and full degree seeking students enrolled at other schools or universities are required to remain in good academic standing in order to participate in Global Summer Studies. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required for all participants. Failure to remain in good academic standing can lead to removal from the course, either before or during the course.

In cases where summer travel courses do not reach full capacity, the course may be canceled after the last day of registration. As such, all students are advised not to purchase flights for participation in Global Summer Studies courses until the course is confirmed by RISD Global.