January Term 2012

English 239:  Tales of the Sea (Virgin Islands)

Course description:  Join this J-Term course in the Virgin Islands and read the literature of the sea while sailing on a two-masted schooner.  Experience the way sailing vessels of the past traveled long distances on the power of the wind alone without any fossil fuel. Students will stay aboard the windjammer, Roseway, home of the World Ocean School, where they will read the stories of lives and characters transformed by the challenges of the sea.  Aboard the ship, which is listed on the National Historic Register, students will also learn some basic elements of seamanship and navigation, and possibly learn to sail a small craft.  In addition to sailing, the ship will put in at various ports of call for time ashore in the islands.  We will be onboard for ten days, and have class time on campus before and after the voyage.