Studia Vitae

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Discovering Iceland

Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 03/30/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)

Tuesdays, March 30 - May 4 7-8 PM, CT

Learning about a place before visiting enriches the experience.  This course prepares you to visit Iceland by examining its unique culture, geography, and natural environment. Each session focuses on a different theme with the goal of developing a deeper understanding of Iceland.

Target Audience: The main target audience is those planning to participate in the 2027 Bulldogs on the Road trip to Iceland, but the course is open to anyone.

Course Objectives:

  • Appreciate the unique geographic location of Iceland.
  • Recognize aspects of Icelandic culture, including language, food, religion, architecture, sports, dress, and music.
  • Identify natural phenomena, including geologic features, flora, fauna, and climate.
  • Explore the history of Iceland from initial settlement to modern times.

Individuals affiliated with eligible preferred partner organizations receive exclusive tuition discounts for Concordia Nebraska Studia Vitae courses. Please visit cune.edu/partnerdiscount to view a list of current preferred partners and verify your membership to receive your discount code.

Dr. Joel Helmer

Dr. Joel Helmer (Moderator)

Professor of Geography, Chair Department of History, Geography, Intercultural Studies and Modern Languages

Concordia University, Nebraska

Dr. Joel Helmer serves as professor of geography and Chair of the Department of History, Geography, Intercultural Studies and Modern Languages at Concordia University, Nebraska, where he has taught since 2007. He teaches a variety of geography and environmental science courses and regularly leads international travel courses, with recent trips including Peru, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, and Vietnam. 

Dr. Helmer holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Oklahoma State University, an M.A. in Geography from the University of Akron and a B.S. in Secondary Education from Concordia University, Nebraska. His teaching includes courses such as GPS and Drone Technology, World Regional Geography, Introduction to Human Geography and Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.

Dr. Helmer’s book Nebraska's Bucks and Bulls: The Greatest Stories of Hunting Whitetail, Mule Deer, and Elk in the Cornhusker State was published by the University of Nebraska Press in 2020. A passionate traveler and outdoorsman, he has visited all 50 U.S. states and 25 countries. He enjoys reading, hunting, fishing and working on his acreage. Dr. Helmer and his wife, Holly, who serves as catalog librarian at Concordia, have three children, all of whom are Concordia alumni: Will ’20, Harrison ’21 and Hannah ’25.

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Introductions
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Please introduce yourself and share a bit about the vocations where you find yourself called (home, church, workplace, school, community). If you’re willing, name one joy and one challenge you’re currently facing in your vocation and one hope or goal you have for this course. Please note that it is not instructor-facilitated and posts will not receive instructor feedback.
Prayer and Encouragement Board
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. This space is available for participants to share prayer requests, words of encouragement, or uplifting scriptures, and celebrate answered prayers. Please note that this is a peer-supported forum — instructors do not monitor or respond to posts.
Week 1
Week 1 Webinar
03/30/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
03/30/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
Week 1 Post-Session Application Response
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
Week 2
Week 2 Webinar
04/06/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
04/06/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
Week 2 Post-Session Application Response
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
Week 3
Week 3 Webinar
04/13/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
04/13/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
Week 3 Post-Session Application Response
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
Week 4
Week 4 Webinar
04/20/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
04/20/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
Week 4 Post-Session Application Response
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
Week 5
Week 5 Webinar
04/27/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
04/27/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
Week 5 Post-Session Application Response
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
Week 6
Week 6 Webinar
05/04/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
05/04/2027 at 7:00 PM (CDT)  |  60 minutes  |  Attendance Required
Week 6 Post-Session Application Response
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
2 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  2/2 points to pass
Certificate
1.00 CEU credit  |  Certificate available
1.00 CEU credit  |  Certificate available A certificate will be awarded upon completion of the course.