This program will investigate the physical and social locations of the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the world. Both regions are physically located in polar desert caps of the globe. The areas have unique geologic and meteorological histories, but are commonly lumped together as Polar Regions by geographers.  Students will learn about the social location or situation fostering a paradigm of territorial expansion, resource acquisition, temporary settlement, nationalistic claims, and political expansion created by encounters with the regions by Euro-Americans . Knowledge about Polar Regions was created by explorers' reports, art forms such as 19th century literature and landscape paintings, and organizations such as geographical societies. Recent implications and consequences of climate change have brought renewed interest in the ice caps. The United States is currently the lead nation for those countries that surround the Arctic. These countries will soon decide about opening shipping lanes across the Arctic, drilling for oil and commercial fishing in the Arctic. Impacts of Arctic development will bring about economic and social change along the West Coast, especially in Washington due to historic port facilities in Seattle that provided access to Alaskan ports. Expanding tourism and research station activity is altering the social construction of the Antarctic environments. These topics will be discussed through lecture, seminar, guest speaker and field trips. Field trips will include a visit to alpine glacial areas on Mt. Rainier, historic port facilities in Seattle, and the Nordic Museum in Seattle.