Summer gets cooler, literally.

Two Elon faculty members devised an online course that includes a 10-day exploration of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula this summer. The course, "The Call of the Wild: Alaska, Nature and Imagination," examines the difference between urbanized and native culture.

The course satisfies the literature, expression or society requirement.

Joe Jacob, adjunct faculty member, will lead the course. Jacob, who is familiar with the territory, said he has high hopes for students enrolled in the class.

"I hope we attract students who like challenges," Jacob said. "We want a combination of people who enjoy the outdoors and desire to experience something new."

The trip's itinerary allots time for exploring the Kenai Peninsula's vast landscape and beautiful scenery. Twenty students enrolled in the class will complete the academic portion of the class online during the summer. The course includes 12 days of online assignments before embarking on a 10- day tour of the Peninsula. Upon their return from Alaska, the students will complete another eight days of online work.

The combination of academic work and firsthand experience will be beneficial to students, said Barbara Gordon, associate professor of English and one of the faculty members conducting the course.

"We will be touching on both the intellectual and experiential through readings and encounters," she said.

Jacob said he ultimately hopes that after the trip, students will share his passion for Alaska.

"Alaska is my addiction," Jacob said. "And there are definitely worse things to be addicted to."

Jacob's participation in the course is extremely valuable, according to Gordon.

"He has so many connections and can really introduce the students to Alaska," she said.

Jacob said he is excited to lead students through territory that may be unfamiliar to them. The course contributes the university's efforts to offer more domestic study away programs in addition to the more conventional study abroad opportunities available to students.

"Elon wants to make it clear that you don't have to travel abroad to understand other cultures," Gordon said.

Brooke Barnett, assistant to the president, said she recognizes the importance of domestic study away programs as well as study abroad programs.

"We hope domestic study will not supplant or replace, but rather complement our study abroad efforts," Barnett said.