Vancouver Field Course

Last offered Spring 2022

Earn a full Brock credit while exploring and experiencing beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Department of Geography and Tourism Studies offers students at Brock and other Canadian universities the opportunity to experience Vancouver in a unique and engaging way. The Vancouver Field Course (GEOG/TOUR 3F93) was offered May 23 to June 3, 2022*.

Virtual Information Session

Did you miss our Virtual Info Session on December 16th? Please email Dr. Michael Ripmeester (mripmeester@brocku.ca) for a link to the event recording.

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED!

We are no longer accepting applications for the Spring 2022 Vancouver Field Course (GEOG/TOUR 3F93). Forms were due to the Department by January 15, 2022 at 4:30 pm EST.

  • Open to all Brock students
  • Prerequisite(s): two TOUR (TMGT/TREN) credits, two GEOG credits OR permission of the instructor
  • All Brock students accepted for this field course will receive a travel award of $1,250 CAD from the Faculty of Social Sciences to go towards trip expenses **
  • Spend 10 days exploring Vancouver with Dr. Michael Ripmeester
  • Earn a full Brock credit (TOUR/GEOG 3F93)
  • This is an OSAP eligible course
  • Learn alongside students from many different backgrounds
  • Credit will count towards your Tourism Studies or Geography major or minor, or as an elective credit
  • Open to any student studying at a Canadian university (through a Letter of Permission)

This course concentrates on Vancouver as a major metropolitan area. Topics may include: the historical geography of Vancouver; planning and architecture; public space in the 21st century; and, the social and cultural geographies of Vancouver.

The goal of this course is to expose students to the intricate, conflicting, and contradictory geographies of a major city. The course emphasizes walking tours during which students engage geographical theories, concepts and ideas. More, it enhances students’ ability to recognize geography’s influence on planning and social policy.

Undergraduate students from all programs and years of study at Brock University are invited to apply for our Vancouver Field Course. Additionally, students studying at other Canadian universities are welcome to apply to take this course on Letter of Permission (LOP).

Please note that limited spots are available for this course. Priority will be given to Geography and Tourism majors in their third and fourth year of studies.

2022 Schedule

May 23 – June 3, 2022

Schedule coming soon!

Past Schedules

2018

Monday, May 21
Introduction / Orientation at the University of British Columbia
South Shore Burrard Inlet (CRAB Park to Stanley Park)

Tuesday, May 22
Museum of Anthropology (curated tour)
Kitsilano / South Shore of False Creek

Wednesday, May 23
Downtown / Yaletown / North Shore of False Creek

Thursday, May 24
Day off

Friday, May 25
Richmond
Gulf of Georgia Cannery Tour

Saturday, May 26
Chinatown
Vancouver’s Edge Cities

Sunday, May 27
Kerrisdale
Shaughnessy
East Vancouver

All prices are approximate. We are currently advising students to budget approximately:

  • Flights: ~ $700 round trip (based on flights from Toronto to Vancouver)
  • Lodging at UBC: Average $50/night
  • Tuition: For one full credit (more info here)
  • Additional costs include all meals and entertainment

“I loved how much of the city we were able see. It was an experience I know I otherwise would have never had. Both Mike and Ebru were excellent guides and taught me so much about the city and its history as well as made me realize there always a deeper story behind everything. Honestly I don’t think this course could have been any better I would go again once a heartbeat.”

“Learning can occur inside and outside the classroom however being hands on and in the city itself, not only hearing about its history but seeing it, made the course more enjoyable and gave me a much deeper understanding.”

“GEOG/TOUR 3P93 (Vancouver Field course) is an amazing experiential course that covers concepts not only in geography but other disciplines as well, making it an amazing choice for students to take coming from any faculty. Mike and Ebru are amazing at facilitating the lecture material as they are very knowledgeable about a variety of topics specifically relating to the geography of Vancouver. They are passionate about what they teach, and you can feel that energy as they speak, making the course that much more enjoyable. The cost is more than reasonable for a trip to Vancouver. 10/10 would recommend.”

Here are a few photos and a video from our 2018 Vancouver Field Course.

Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Students on the last day of the 2018 Vancouver Field Course. Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Students standing with instructors outside in Vancouver
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Vancouver 2018
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag
Photo by Ebru Ustundag

Student highlights from the 2018 Vancouver Field Course

Applications for the Spring 2022 Vancouver Field Course (GEOG/TOUR 3F93) are due by January 15, 2022 at 4:30 pm EST.

Please fill in the application form and return it to the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies at geogtour@brocku.ca by the date listed above.

Please contact Dr. Michael Ripmeester at mripmeester@brocku.ca with any questions related to the Vancouver Field Course.

Notes

Course will be offered dependent on final enrollment.
* Final dates are conditional on final course enrollment.
** Limited spots available. Priority will be given to Geography and Tourism majors in their third and fourth year of studies. However, students from all Brock programs and any year of study are welcome to apply.