Major Capstone Experience
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Maridee Rutledge, of Syracuse, serving as summit interpretive guide at Mt. Arab |
Each major student must apply for and be accepted into a plan for completing the capstone experience, a 9-credit sequence of courses usually completed in the junior-senior years, including the summer between.
“Field Experience,” a 3-6 credit course in the junior summer, is typically satisfied by a paid service-learning position for one or two months as an Adirondack fire tower interpreter under the supervision of NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the local citizens’ committee. Some students satisfy this field component by other paid internship placements.
The previous semester (junior spring) is preparing for this work in the three-credit “Field Preparation” course.
The following semester (senior fall) includes the three-credit “Senior Seminar,” wrapping up the field work, each student developing and completing an independent project to improve knowledge of the field site for future interpreters. Career and graduate school plans are also made.