River Semester Courses
Choosing Your Courses
The River Semester follows a set curriculum with three required courses and elective options ranging from 1-4 US credits. You are able to choose from the suggested elective course or choose from a range of independent study options for 12-19 credits for the semester.
Course Enrollment Process
Completing Your Academic Preferences Form
- Log in to your Arcadia application portal and go to the Checklist Items tab. Click on Start Form Now under the Academic Preferences Form section.
- Please indicate 5-7 courses, including alternates, on your academic preferences form that you are pre-approved for and can take while abroad. In the event of scheduling changes, time conflicts, prerequisites or cancellations, this ensures that you will be prepared to finalize your courses once overseas.
- Please note there are required courses on this program. See information below.
Enrollment Procedures
Core Courses
All students take 12-19 credits. Detailed course information for this program is available here: https://www.augsburg.edu/river/program-details/.
Required
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CGEE ENV 310 | Environmental Studies Field Seminar: Leadership, Justice, and Sustainability | 4 |
| CGEE ENV 330-A | Reading the River | 4 |
| CGEE POL/ENV 499 | Directed Research Project | 2-4 |
Electives
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CGEE ENV 330-B | Wilderness, Civilization, and Liberation: QBIPOC Environmentalisms | 4 |
| CGEE WEL 120 | Sailing, Canoeing and Paddling | 1 |
independent study Previous examples:
| Political Conflict and the Endangered Species Act: A Study of Two Species |
Nitrate Accumulation and the Gulf Dead Zone |
| On an Island, Watching The Stars: Cycles, Art, and Dialogue | Stormwater Management along the Mississippi River |
| Shoulder to Shoulder: Our Common Journey | Learning to Listen: A Semester on the River |
Add-On Options
Internship
CGEE ENV 399 Internship (with the River Semester Program)
Two internships are available whereby Interns assist River Semester staff with logistics, planning, food shopping, equipment maintenance, and other duties as assigned. You may discuss this option with the Program Director during the Admissions Interview.
Itinerary
A proposed itinerary for 2023 is available here: https://www.augsburg.edu/river/2023-proposed-itinerary/
The Boats
Information on the boats is available here: https://www.augsburg.edu/river/our-boats/.
Here’s how the boats were created:
Equipment and Transportation
Information on transportation and equipment is available here: https://www.augsburg.edu/river/program-details/program-costs-equipment/
Course Grading and Grade Scale
All courses must be taken for a letter grade (A-F).
Explanation of Grades
Augsburg University uses a letter grading system using the following definitions:
|
A |
4.00 |
93-100% |
Excellent. Highest standard of excellence; Goes above and beyond stated expectations; Deep integration of discussions, lections, readings and/or service learning in assignments. |
|
A- |
3.67 |
90-92% |
|
|
B+ |
3.33 |
88-89% |
|
|
B |
3.00 |
83-87% |
Good. Above basic course requirements. Some integration of class discussion, lecture, theory and/or service learning in assignments. |
|
B- |
2.67 |
80-82% |
|
|
C+ |
2.33 |
78-79% |
|
|
C |
2.00 |
73-77% |
Satisfactory. Basic standards and expectations for course met; minimum integration of class discussion, lecture, theory and/or service learning in assignments. Course grades falling below 2.0 will not be accepted toward licensure into Augsburg licensure programs. |
|
C- |
1.67 |
70-72% |
|
|
D+ |
1.33 |
68-69% |
|
|
D |
1.00 |
63-67% |
Poor. Below basic standards and expectations. |
|
D- |
0.67 |
60-62% |
|
|
F |
0.00 |
<60% |
Failure |