Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!ames!bionet!llustig!sgi!cdp!efenster
From: efenster@cdp.UUCP
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Ecology Course at Moscow State
Message-ID: <1101300002@cdp>
Date: 12 Dec 90 05:25:00 GMT
Lines: 38
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1101300002:000:2079
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!efenster    Dec 11 21:25:00 1990


I have been invited by the ecology program of Moscow State University's
biology department to bring a group of about twelve people to Moscow early
next summer for a 4-5 week ecology course.  Sample dates are 03 June-2/9 July.

The course would focus on the science of ecology and it would emphasize both
what is particular to the ecology on Soviet  territory (especially Russia) and
those aspects of the science of ecology in which Soviet education is strong--
including the view of or approach to nature there.  In other words, they
aren't asking people to come to Moscow to learn what could more effectively be
learned at home.

There will also be contacts with people and groups in the Soviet environmental
movement and other meetings and activities to help participants understand the
current economic and political situation in the USSR.

The course will aimed at anybody whose usual activities would be better
informed by knowledge of the ecology of that region and by the other
information and contacts which would be gained.  The level will assume the
basic knowledge of biology such as might result from a college biology course;
that is, it will not require people to be specialists, but somebody who never
heard of DNA or didn't have a notion of the scientific method would probably
be quickly left behind.

The group will live in the University hostel, which is ready-made way to meet
Soviet citizens.  The structure is generally two rooms which share a bathroom.
I think the total cost could be kept to $2300-2500 from the E. Coast,
depending upon duration (pending air fare changes prior to our flight
deposit.)

Based upon expressions of interest, I must make the formal response to Moscow
in January, and the earlier the better for securing flights and allowing
people to plan ahead.  Would you or your organization want to participate, how
many people do you think might go and what other questions have you which I
might answer or pass along?

[Note: I've been organizing & teaching study trips to the USSR since 1980,
both for a university and independently.]