Our vision is that every Honors student has the opportunity to engaging in experiential learning. Education happens in and outside of the classroom, and Honors Study Away courses uniquely challenge students to culitivate new skills, make connections, and deepen their understanding of interndisciplinary ideas. Study Away courses differ from Study Abroad courses in that they domestic programs and can be a cost-effective alternative to study abroad programs.
Travel Scholarships
We understand the difficulty and challenges that a study away program can present to a student. To support students with the financial challenge, Study Abroad/Away scholarships are available from the Honors College and other entities on campus.
Wyoming Spring Creek Field Studies: University of Pittsburgh and University of Wyoming Collaboration
This unique collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Wyoming offers Honors students the opportunity to participate in the Applied Field Methods in Anthropology and Archaeology course that takes place at a site just outside Laramie, Wyoming. UW Honors students will earn University of Pittsburgh credits by enrolling in this course, with up to 3 upper-division Honors credits transferable back to UW.
Please note that for these experiences students may apply for the Educational Enrichment Grant for financial support found at Honors Student Funding.
Applied Field Methods in Anthropology and Archaeology: In Wyoming
Dates: July 27-August 10
Cost: $3,299 for UW students
*around $900 could be eliminated for students electing not to take residence hall
housing/meals in Laramie
Application Deadline: Februrary 14, 2025
Course Credits: 3
Instructor: Jim Johnson
Modality: Study Away program
Honors College Attributes: Upper-Division Elective (transferred back to UW after earning University of Pittsburgh
credits; only three credits of Honors upper-division elective credit can be awarded
from these field experiences)
USP attributes: PN (Physical and Natural World)
A&S attributes: none
Travel Locations: Laramie, WY, Allen L. Cook Spring Creek Preserve located a short drive west of the
small town of Rock River, WY.
Course Description:
Led by Dr. Jim Johnson from the University of Wyoming, this course focuses on systematic
archaeological pedestrian survey and surface collection, and several targeted ground
truthing techniques (shovel testing and limited test excavation), as well as data
collection and analysis. Modeled after field schools, the course will take place at
the Alan L. Cook Spring Creek Preserve approx. 45 min north of Laramie, Wyoming.
This space was inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years and also includes
the site of an original 1860s Transcontinental Railroad station. In this instance,
the cultural landscape we will be exploring ranges from some of the earliest sites
in the Mountain West to some very important historic sites just within the past couple
hundred years.
Taught by a University of Wyoming anthropology professor Jim Johnson, this course
is offered as a joint program with the University of Pittsburgh where students from
Pitt Honors will collaborate and learn alongside University of Wyoming Honors students.
To apply, University of Wyoming students will submit an application through the University of Pittsburgh application portal. Please contact Dr. Johnson with any questions regarding the course and program. Optionally, students may also
apply to participate in the field course below taking place in Pittsburgh.
Intro to Field Studies: In Pittsburgh
Dates: July 6 - 27
Costs: $4,499 + RT airfare to Pittsburgh
*around $600 could be eliminated for students electing not to take residence hall
housing and meals, however, students would then be responsible for finding lodging
in Pittsburgh
Application Deadline: Februrary 14, 2025
Course Credits: 3
Instructor: University of Pittsburgh Faculty Member(s)
Modality: Study Away program
Honors College Attributes: None if student is also enrolled in Applied Field Methods (only 3 total credits of
Honors upper-division credit can be awarded from these field experiences)
USP attributes: none
A&S attributes: none
Travel Locations: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Laramie, WY, Allen L. Cook Spring Creek Preserve located
a short drive west of the small town of Rock River, WY.
Course Description:
Learn the methods, techniques, and issues in conducting field-based research. Through
readings, discussion, and hands-on exercises, students learn how to plan fieldwork
projects and write proposals based on the scientific method, collect data in the field,
analyze, manage, and present collected data, use various research equipment, and work
with a research team. The program begins in Pittsburgh (UW students must first fly
to Pittsburgh), then the class will travel together to Laramie, Wyoming and UW students
will complete the course in Laramie.
UW Honors students may also enroll in the course taking place in Pittsburgh, in addition to the Applied Field Methods course. However, up to three upper-division Honors credits only can be awarded for these field experiences.To apply for this course taking place in Pittsburgh please apply at the University of Pittsburgh portal.
