For the first time in the history of the University, college-level academia, and elite snorkeling schools worldwide, Chapman University is offering students the pioneering opportunity to take part in Semester Under the Sea, a comprehensive semester long adventure course that touches four different oceans, 13 majors seas, one underwater lost empire, three Red Lobster restaurants, and over 20 various ports of call around the world. A grand adventure taking education to new depths.

Semester Under The Sea literally gives students a taste of the ocean, from the warming waters of the Pacific, to the liberal waters of the East Coast (N.E. only), and everywhere in-between. Chapman students will have the opportunity to experience mysteries hidden beneath the waters that cover more than 70.87% of planet Earth, from the comfort of a renovated, yellow submarine code-named “The Hesperian.”

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The Hesperian, a former WWII submarine, will house students as they study the wonders of the seven seas.

Before being retired in the mid-1950s, The Hesperian sunk more than 25 Nazi submarines during World War II and damaged one Nautilus craft at Disneyland. After being rediscovered in an abandoned warehouse on the east side of New Jersey in 1966, Russian philanthropist and part-time oil baron, Marko Aleksandrovich Ramius, restored the sub to its former glory. Most recently, Ramius generously donated it to Chapman University to create the world’s first subaqueous collegiate travel course.

At just over 590 feet long, The Hesperian features state-of-the-art 5×5 classrooms, luxurious triple-tiered bunk beds, and over three different recreation rooms, each featuring a half-sized ping pong table, foosball table, coin-operated pool table, two Whack-a-Mole games, a skee ball court, and a variety of board games including Risk and Parcheesi. And because the health of our students is priority, Ramius renovated the boiler room into a 24-hour health spa, with attendants who are trained to deal with cabin fever, the bends, shark attacks, boo-boos and any other nautical-based injuries.

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Marko Aleksandrovich Ramius

“This is a great day comrades, we sail into history!” said Ramius, whose gift to the University is being valued at nearly $140 million. “Previously to now, submarine travel was limited to the extremely wealthy and those going to war. No longer will it be exclusive to the likes of James Cameron, Harrison Ford, and the fat cats on Wall Street. Chapman students will finally be allowed to experience what I’ve experienced over the past 40 years – the peace that comes from being under the sea.”

As a welcomed addition to this generous gift, Ramius, at 94, will be joining students in this semester long expedition as honorary captain. “To feel and smell the ocean once more before Death’s cold touch is all that I ask for in return.”

With the addition of Semester Under the Sea, Chapman University’s Schmid College of Science and Technology is proud to announce that students can finally minor in Underwater Basket Weaving. After years of petitioning by basket weaving enthusiasts, as well as a rising demand from the Southern California community as a whole, the program has been added in conjunction with the Semester Under the Sea program.

“It wasn’t a matter of if, it was simply a matter of when,” said Dr. Belle Rosen, head of the Educational Immersive Experimental Institute Organization (EIEIO). “While Schmid (College) had been applying for accreditation of this minor for years, there was always the question of ‘Where?’. Sure, Chapman is known for their lavish bodies of water, but to truly master the art of underwater basket weaving, 15 feet of water wasn’t going to cut it — plenty of other colleges offer that. What makes Chapman’s Semester Under the Sea program unique is that it’s going to give students the ability to really test the limits of the program, and let students weave from as deep as 20,000 leagues under the sea.”

During the Fall semester of 2016, approximately 32 students will set forth on this one-of-a-kind, unique journey that’s unlike any other. The Institute for Nauticalness, Neptunism and Organizations Under Tides (IN-N-OUT) administers the program, and the Schmid College of Science and Technology is the academic sponsor. Students choose from nearly 12 courses in a variety of disciplines. Professors on the program are internationalists and skilled trident handlers who integrate course content with field practice. The program is open to anyone from any major. Applications are due April 1.

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Ishmael Zissou, ’17, capturing the Hesperian before its launch and maiden voyage in Fall 2016.

Two students who will be using this course in conjunction with their senior thesis project are already set to board The Hesperian in the Fall. One is Ishmael Nemo Zissou ’17, a Biological Sciences major. “Call me Ishmael.” Zissou said. “Honestly, I’m not taking this course for science reasons. I’ve saw my best friend get mauled by a great white. My immediate goal is to set out to find the shark that ate my friend and destroy it. Anyone who wants to tag along is more than welcome.”

Juan Lennon, a transfer student from Liverpool who is currently a Mathematics and Music double major, is mostly interested in experiencing the submarine. “Essentially, in the town where I was born there lived a man who sailed to sea. And he told us about his life in this land of submarines. So when I found out this course was being offered, I figured what the hell. I wouldn’t mind living in a yellow submarine for awhile.” Lennon also acknowledged a great enthusiasm for the beep sound of the sonar.

Highlights of the program include:

  • Global Studies
  • A voyage around the world in 80 days
  • Apx. 12 courses offered in a variety of disciplines like Underwater Basket Weaving and Sand Castle Architecture as an Expression of Hegemony
  • World-class faculty and experts include former International Justice League of Super Acquaintances leader Ernest Borgnine, Capt. Frank Ramsey, Capt. Martin Brody, Capt. Jack Sparrow and the Sub-Mariner himself, Namor McKenzie
  • Program is open to all students with a GPA of 3.5 or lower and a height limit of 5’11’ (due to cramped living quarters)
  • Must be Scuba, CPA and HTML certified
  • 590-foot submarine with eight windows where you learn, live, hear voices, and reflect
  • Global experience for your resume, graduate school or Jonny Quest-like adventures
  • Free WiFi!

Join us for this fantastic journey! Applications are due April 1.
Submission can be sent to Dr. April Phools.
Visit our program page and sign up for more informative information

If submarine travel is not your thing,
check out all of Chapman’s wonderful (and real) academic programs!