No refunds if the world ends on Saturday

There have been reports that the world will end on Saturday, May 21st (read more here). If the world ends I will not be available for student advising, and no refunds will be given for the Rome trip.


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Rethinking the Itinerary

To emphasize the flexibility in the itinerary let me tell you what changes I'm already contemplating.

Previously I had thoughts of the Vatican on Wednesday the 1st, but I've discovered that the Vatican is free on the last Sunday of each month from 9:30AM to 2:00PM. Besides, I'm thinking we should spend the night down near Pompeii and catch Herculaneum on the return trip. So why not take an extra day south of Rome and visit the Capri Island? Now that would be a beach day to remember!



Stay posted here for daily updates.


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Gearing up for Rome

I am getting ready to take 11 students on a trip to Italy to visit the world's largest archaeological site: Rome. This trip has been in the works for 10 months and its finally coming to fruition. There is going to be so much to see and do -- I'm trying hard not to over-plan so that we also have plenty of flexibility. Here's my thoughts for a tentative plan:

Sunday, May 22, to Monday, May 23: Travel between Houston and Rome

Tuesday, May 24: Rome in a day

We will take it easy our first full day in Rome. With no planned events, we'll possibly take a bus-tour of the city so we can get our bearings. We'll also take care of business today, go shopping, buy things we need, etc.

Wednesday, May 25: Ancient Rome

We will spend the afternoon in the heart of ancient Rome. We will visit Palatine hill (legendary place where Remus and Romulus were suckled by a she-wolf), the Colosseum, and the Forum (where many of the ancient temples and government buildings were located). Time permitting I would love to visit the Capitoline Museum (The most ancient public museum in the world) and possibly the Palatine Museum as well.

Thursday, May 26th: Borghese Gallery and really cool walking tour

The Borghese gallery is Rome's most well-know art museum (but also contains a fantastic musical instrument collection). After leaving the Borghese we will take a nice walking tour that hits a lot of really interesting places, including the amazing church made of human bones (Capucchin Church of the Immaculate Conception), Spanish Steps, and a few locations featured in Angles and Demons.

Friday, May 27: Venice

A long day trip to the sinking city. We will travel by train, get out and say "ah Venice!" then come home.

Saturday, May 28:

Day trip to Ostia, one of Ancient Rome's oldest colonies (back when "Italy" was considered the frontier!). This ancient city is set in the forest, and one can see a much more thorough glimpse of ancient life than in downtown Rome -- and less touristy. There is also a recently discovered shipwreck in Ostia -- We will find it if we can. If possible, I'd like us to continue on to the coast and spend some time at the beach before coming home.

Sunday, May 29: Rome (Optional: Christian Rome)

I think we'd be remiss if we didn't watch a Roman Catholic mass at some church of great historical significance while we are there. Rome is, after all, the birthplace of Roman Catholicism (and also the extermination of paganism, but we cover that most other days). This might be a good time for Lawhon to give his "Christian Rome tour" where he hits up the sites of importance to early christians. I might lead an alternate group to the Field of Mars. Anyone want to see an Opera at the Teatro Dell'Opera di Roma?

Monday, May 30: Pompei

The famous city destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. I personally think that this is an all-day thing and we should just spend the night at Pompeii so we can visit Herculaneum in the morning (Herculaneum is another city destroyed by the same event).

Tuesday, May 31: Herculaneum

Spend some time at Herculaneum and then head back to Rome. Hopefully we can stop along the way and see a few interesting things. Lawhon suggests we take the Circumvenza, a regional train used by the locals, which is apparently a great cultural experience.

Wednesday, June 1: Rome Vatican

Guided tour of the Vatican lead by the Pope himself. If the Pope is not available, we might have to take a different private tour.

Thursday, June 2: Florence

Another day trip, we'll head to the birthplace of the Renaissance. Anyone want to see Michaelangelo's David? Theres a lot of Renaissance artwork to be seen in Florence, and some of the most amazing architecture in all Italy. Also, this is wine country (just saying).

Friday, June 3: Rome (American Academy in Rome)

The American Academy in Rome is the oldest American overseas center for independent study and advanced research in the arts and humanities. We will try to meet with Professor-in-Charge, T. Corey Brennan, who will show us their archaeological study collection.

Saturday, June 4: Rome (shopping)

Our last full-day in Rome is reserved for last-minute shopping.

Sunday, June 5: Paris

Monday, June 6: Arrive Houston

Does that sound over-planned? It might be. I left out a lot of things I want to do, such as underground catacombs, Appian Way, the Pantheon, Circus Maximus, visiting a historically significant synagogue, the Museum of the Roman Ships, and much more. That's enough for now. Stay tuned to this blog to see how far we stray from my plans.

Location:Houston,United States

Who are you and why are you here?

Entering into college this year, you make up the class of 2013. On the day you graduate you will do so with hundreds of fellow Sea Aggies, thousands of fellow Aggies, and perhaps hundreds of thousands of other American college graduates. By the end of the day most will have one thing in common: a college degree.

How does an employer distinguish between these black-clad tassel-capped masses? By degree? Perhaps. Especially if the chosen field is technical, like engineering or accounting. By grades? Possibly. Grades are a "proxy indicator" for success; that is, good grades suggest that someone is intelligent and is willing to work hard to achieve success. Certainly, when you graduate you want to have good grades, as a lot of people will use them to make the first cut.

Yet, grades aren't enough. Even if you whittle the group down to those with a 3.0 or above you would still have thousands of graduates to choose from. In truth, your success will be largely based on who you are, or who you become while you are in college. When you graduate with your "good grades" (whatever that means) you want to be able to tell your potential employers what that means: Hopefully it will have meant that you are intelligent, diligent, well-organized, an effective communicator, emotionally strong or mature, able to overcome learning challenges and face adversity, that you are personally responsible and ready for the challenges ahead.

Better yet, you want your professors to say that for you. From the moment you enter college you are proving and improving yourself. Your college professors want you to succeed and will be your best advocates when you graduate. Start impressing them now.

Today you are excited about college. Along the way you will face many challenges and might forget why you are here. In case you think you are here for a college degree, think again. You have got to get much more than a college degree while here or you won't be able to distinguish yourself from the thousands of other people with college degrees t hat come before and after. So why are you here? Think about it. Write it down. Look at it when times are tough. Don't ever lose sight of your goals, and make every day count.

What is Martitime Studies?

Welcome to Maritime Studies. Now that you are here you oughtta know what it is you've gotten yourself into.

Maritime Studies is the interdisciplinary study of people and their relationship to the sea. This includes the study of their history, culture, laws, ethics, behaviors, arts, literature, and the other aspects that make up their societies.

The goal of our program is to produce well-educated graduates with the personal and professional qualities to be successful in their chosen fields.

Our students go on to be doctors, lawyers, educators, business professionals, and a host of other professions with or without a maritime theme. We train our students to become leaders and good communicators so that they might be successful on any career path they choose.

MAST 411: International Maritime Cultures first day of class

This has always been one of my favorite classes. The last time I taught it we had a hurricane and the class, more or less, was an unqualified disaster (we all did our best). This semester I have a renewed enthusiasm and, with your help, this will be the best semester ever.

I have a particularly rigorous schedule planned. This course is officially "writing-intensive" but it is now in transition to "communications intensive." That means you'll be giving presentations as well. The bottom line: you will do a lot of research, writing, discussion, and presentation. Expect this to be one of the most intensive courses you have taken in a while. If you are taking this course as an elective, you might rethink that. If you are concurrently taking other intensive courses, especially History of American Seapower, you really should rethink that.

We went over the syllabus in class, but here are a few points of emphasis and clarification:

1. You must keep backups of your work and turn in your portfolio several times during the semester. I can't emphasize enough the importance of keeping backups. You are responsible for turning in your work on time, or resubmitting it if asked at any time for any reason.
2. Attendance is mandatory unless you have a prior written arrangement with me. If you know you are going to miss a class please let us know ahead of time.
   
3. It's very important that you read all the material when assigned and complete the assignments thoroughly.
4. The first book is Protecting the Arctic: Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Survival. The first quiz and the first assignment are due a week from today.
5. The second book is hard to find. You must have Coastal Cultures: An Anthropology of Fishing and Whaling Traditions, no later than October 5th. I will have a copy that you may read in my office if absolutely necessary (it may not leave my office).
6. This class is a little bit like a final exam for the MAST program. The assignments not only test your mastery of the content, but also measure your preparedness for life after college; notably your individual responsibility, mental toughness, ability to work with others, and professionalism.
7. I want you to succeed. I will try to live up to your expectations.
   

MAST 289 Introduction to Maritime Studies first day of class

Today was the first day of class for MAST 289 (ever!). It was fantastic to see such a great turnout; I had expected about 6 to 10 students but over 20 enrolled. Although I did go over the syllabus, most of the time I spent in a philosophical discourse on the importance of working hard to be excellent at what they do. The MAST Program is an excellent one, but it's a team effort.

Summary:

• Welcome to college. This is the "big leagues." Your degree here is what you make of it. Hundreds of thousands of people will earn degrees in the United States the year you graduate; consequently, your goals need to look beyond graduation, you need to become someone who distinguishes themselves from the pack. I strongly recommend that you choose "excellence" as the means to distinguish yourself.
• Perfection may be impossible, but by pursuing perfection you might achieve excellence. This goes for you and me both.
  
• This course is designed to help you develop the skills and maturity necessary to excel in college. Unlike other courses that merely expect you to be responsible, I have designed a rigorous curriculum that encourages and rewards good scholarship.
• Do your work, turn it in on time, attend class every day, do not make excuses, be responsible (even when it's not your fault), help others develop responsibility, be a leader.
• Make backups of your work (this is extremely important)
• The first quiz is in one week. Make sure you prepare. I will have a copy of the textbook in my office for you to borrow for an hour at a time in case you don't have the textbook yet. If you would like me to order a textbook for you come to my office.
• I am your advisor and your professor. I really (really) want you to succeed. Please respect my office hours. I Prefer to meet by appointment.