Superior Connections Courses

Paddling In

This 5 day outdoor adventure will immerse participants in the culture of the Anishinabe, the history of the Voyageurs and Chequamegon Bay along with the beauty and power of Lake Superior. You will paddle and camp your way along 35 miles of yawning sand beaches, glorious sunrises and evening constellations; share meals with contemporary and historic voyageurs and experience the daily rigors of Fur Trade era brigades. Equipment lists provided. Superior Connections Lead Faculty Associate: Clayton Russell, along with Tom Fitz, Gus Smith, Alan Brew, David Saetre, Rick Fairbanks and Joe Rose

Natural History of the Lake Superior Watershed

A team-taught introduction to the natural history of the Lake Superior watershed that focuses on the geologic processes that formed and continue to shape the watershed as well as the flora and fauna that characterize the region. Field trips will be integral to this course. Superior Connections Faculty Associates: Gus Smith and Tom Fitz

Spirituality in the Watershed

This course focuses on historical and contemporary spiritual practices and traditions in the watershed, including those of Native Americans, the early missionaries, immigrant religious traditions, and the ways these religions view both the sacred and the environment. Superior Connections Faculty Associate: David Saetre

Confluences

A confluence is a flowing together of two or more streams, or a gathering together at one point. In this course, students will gather and integrate their experiences and studies of the Lake Superior watershed using the creative and synthetic potential of dialogue and written expression. Superior Connections Faculty Associate: Alan Brew

Conflicts in the Watershed

This course introduces students to conflicts that commonly arise within and among communities when the needs of individuals, special interest groups, and the community as a whole are, or appear to be, at odds. In addition to studying specific conflicts within the watershed, students will explore strategies for facilitating and achieving resolution to conflicts. Superior Connections Faculty Associate: Joy Meeker

The Lake Superior Chippewa

Various Native cultures who have resided in the Western Great Lakes area will be studied in the context of history, culture, traditional teachings, values and attitudes, cosmology, family, and relationships to each other and to Europeans. Superior Connections Faculty Associate: Joseph Rose

Lake Superior Circumnavigation

Dedicated to exploration and discovery, this travel course gives students an opportunity to circumnavigate Lake Superior by van, boat, and foot. Visits to prominent natural and historical sites in the watershed will be integral to the course, as will interactions with members of the regional communities. Superior Connections Faculty Associates: Alan Brew and Clayton Russell

Superior Fisheries

Students will use statistical and mathematical modeling methods to investigate questions about Lake Superior fish populations and the related commercial and recreational fisheries. Real historical data will be used to answer these questions. This data will be put into context, however, by integrating field and laboratory work into the course. Superior Connections Faculty Associate: Derek Ogle

Creative Expression in the Watershed
In this course, students are given an opportunity to study artistic responses to and representations of the watershed as well as an opportunity to capture their own experiences of the watershed in a variety of artistic mediums. Superior Connections Faculty Associate: Don Albrecht

Superior Connections Colloquium

This course is designed to be the culmination of your Superior Connections experience. The course will be a team taught, service learning colloquium, in which students draw upon the knowledge, skills, and teamwork accumulated through two years in the Superior Connections program to work towards the resolution of an issue defined by a community in the Lake Superior region. The colloquium aspect of the course will entail inviting, hosting, and working along side experts in fields related to the issue selected along with organizing a college-wide event related to the issue. Possible issues might include, rural poverty, environmental injustice, development, historic preservation, or watershed restoration. Superior Connections Faculty Associates: Kevin Schanning and Joseph Damrell