Faculty-led, world-focused

INFORMATION NIGHT:
Friday, November 13, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
Conference Room Weaver Building
Join faculty and other students to learn more about studying in Egypt.

Penn State faculty-led programs offer students the guidance of trusted faculty, with the freedom to explore the world. Our faculty will create the ideal itinerary for you.

The ruin mound of Tel er-Rub'a in northern Egypt marks the site of the ancient city of Mendes, one of the largest cities in the ancient world. The sometime capital of ancient Egypt (fourth century BCE), Mendes was a major trading center in contact with the eastern Mediterranean, Greece, and Rome. A riverine harbor is still in evidence, and the site boasts a temple to the Ram-god and a cemetery (ca. 2200 BCE) of nearly 9,000 internments. Occupied from prehistoric times to the present, though largely unencumbered by dwellings, Mendes offers an excellent prospect for excavation with a view to studying ancient urbanism, demographics, burial practices, and trade.

For the past decade, archaeologists and student volunteers have been excavating the site using cutting-edge research discovery and field training techniques. The latter includes digging techniques, recording, planning, photography, analysis of finds, and introduction to the history and archaeology of ancient Egypt. In addition, weekend field trips are led by the director to such neighboring sites as Tanis, the North Sinai, Alexandria, and the pyramid fields.

This program will occupy four consecutive six-day weeks. The participants will be put in charge of various tasks: excavation supervision, recording, registry, pottery sorting, and seriation. From time to time they will also be called upon to assist the technical core staff in such tasks as surveying, human and faunal remains recovery, pottery cleaning and restoration, and photography detail.

Mendes is located approximately 120 miles north of Cairo, 17 miles east of Mansourah, and 40 miles south of the Mediterranean coast. Cairo and Port Said may be reached in two hours of driving. The staff lives in a modern twenty-room field institute building, which was constructed on-site in 1992 and has electricity, running water, and plumbing.

Courses Offered

CAMS 492 Intermediate Field Methods (6 credits) OR
CAMS 493 Intermediate Field Analysis (6 credits)

Eligibility

The program is open to all students with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to apply early, as enrollment is limited. All the students must meet the course prerequisites listed above and must be interviewed by the faculty member responsible for the application process.

Faculty

Dr. Donald Redford is the field director of Mendes. He is a professor of classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and history at Penn State. He is a noted expert in ancient Egypt and is the author of several books and numerous articles. He has been featured in series and documentaries on A&E and the History Channel.

Expenses

The total program fee includes two components: tuition (6 credits) and a class fee (based on activities and location). All the students will pay the in-state tuition rate for 2010 Summer Abroad programs.

Expenses NOT covered are:

• passport
• personal expenses
• optional excursions
• round-trip airfare (approximately $1,500 plus tax)
• some meals
• ISIC card 
• textbooks and supplies

Estimated Tuition

Out-of-state students will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate until the first day of the program. At that time, the students' bursar account will be adjusted to reflect the in-state tuition rate of $613 per credit.

In-state students will pay tuition according to their standing and the Penn State tuition schedule.

$3,678 in-state/out-of-state

The University reserves the right to revise the schedule of tuition and charges without further notice. For more information on tuition, visit http://tuition.psu.edu.

Class Fee

The class fee of $2,395 includes insurance, room, board, and transportation to field sites, the field manual for the course, and all costs related to the excavation.

Estimated Total Program Fee

The estimated program fee of $6,073 includes tuition as well as the class fee.

Financial Aid

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships Web page.

Refunds

All cancellations must be received by the conference planner, in writing, by mail or fax. Do not use eLion; it does not remove you from the course, and you will be held responsible for all fees. Full refunds minus the nonrefundable $1,000 application fee will be made for cancellations received at least thirty days prior to the first day of the program. Refund requests made after that time will not be honored, and the participant or sponsoring organization will be responsible for the fees.

Information Technology Fee: 1 to 4.5 credits, $78; 5 to 8.5 credits, $170; 9 or more credits, $230

For passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov/passport/index.html.

How to Apply

Submit your online application through Penn State Summer Abroad.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 22, 2009

Important note: Each applicant must have a valid passport by December 22, 2009. In addition, four copies of the title page of the participant’s valid passport and eight passport-size photographs of the participant must be provided to Professor Susan Redford (108 Weaver Building, University Park, PA 16802) no later than 5:00 p.m., December 22, 2009. There is no flexibility with this deadline.

Cancellation: The University may cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Access: Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the conference planner at 814-863-1738.

Space may be available after the application deadline. Please contact the conference planner to determine availability and/or to be added to the waiting list.

Contact Us

Regarding program content:
Dr. Susan Redford
The Pennsylvania State University
108 Weaver Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-2722
E-mail: afr111@psu.edu or
parennefer@yahoo.com 

Regarding application process:
John Farris, Conference Planner
The Pennsylvania State University
225 The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-1738
Fax: 814-865-3749
E-mail: ConferenceInfo2@outreach.psu.edu

Regarding financial aid:
Office of Student Aid
The Pennsylvania State University
314 Shields Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6301

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships Web page.