INFO SESSIONS:
Belize 2009 Spring Semester
April 20th at 5PM
Williams Family Room of the Davis Center
"My main goal for the trip was to get an understanding of what life would be like working in the field of community development... So far in our service learning course, I have already gained more of an understanding of project planning, group management and community involvement than I had in both my years in Vermont."
Introduction to Sustainable Development
The course is focused on the essence of Sustainable Development and its four dimensions: environmental, economic, social and institutional. It includes a thorough analysis of the criteria and the indicators of sustainable development and their applicability at a local, national and international level.
Development: An Indigenous Perspective
Examines and compares the assumptions underlying the western notion of development and the indigenous conception of "development with identity". It further examines the implications of the indigenous proposal for development workers and institutions and current initiatives in Central America such as Plan Puebla Panama. The course includes visits to Maya communities and innovative indigenous development projects in education and natural resource management.
Maya Culture & Archeology of Belize
A survey of the Maya peoples and history of Belize, through archeology, linguistics, and cultural history from pre-history to the present day. Students will be introduced to Maya architecture, art, language, and culture–experientially and through lectures and classes.
Social Problems in a Developing Country
An introduction to the study of major social problems that a developing country faces. An attempt is made to study the interrelationships of problems and to emphasize sociological causes as well as the effects on the groups and on the person. Topics will include poverty, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, gender and family violence issues.
Adventure and Eco-tourism
The focus of this course is adventure tourism and ecotourism, two types of tourism that make up a small put rapidly growing share of the world's largest service industry. The readings will introduce you to the major themes and concerns of "alternative" tourism in general and to the specific issues evolving in the context of Belize. The latter objective coincides with the final objective of the course–enhanced geographic and cultural literacy regarding Central America and the Caribbean.
Sustainable Tourism
Students will be challenged to explain the current thinking process underlying the emerging international principles of sustainable development in travel and tourism. The focus will be on the pro-active role that both the private and public sectors play in order to achieve solutions and enhance the nature of the travel and tourism product without jeopardizing its future.
Ecology of a Tropical Forest
Tropical rainforests occupy only a miniscule 7% of the Earth's surface but they contain more than 50% of all species on our Earth. This course will focus of the ecology of tropical rainforests. In particular, the abiotic and biotic components of tropical forest in addition to the myriad of co-evolutionary patterns/processes between plants and animals will be examined. In addition, we will examine species and diversity gradients, the structure and function of rainforests, the causes of rainforest decline as well as the sustainable use(s), importance, and conservation of tropical forests.
Belize History and Culture
The course will cover the social, political, economic and cultural history of Belize in order to allow students to understand today's reality and its economy, and government.
Tourism Planning and Development
The student will acquire the skills necessary for an approach to planning that integrates the guidelines for sustainable tourism development which is responsive to the needs of the community.
Small Business Venture
Provides essential knowledge for those interested in small business, including search for venture opportunities; economic, technical and operational feasibility of venture, financing, marketing, and legal operations; and franchising and partnering.
PREREQUISITE(S): Knowledge of accounting and some finance.
Environmental Economics
Analysis of some of the most important areas of environmental economics. Areas stressed include the economics of pollution control, the application of cost benefit analysis to the environment, the economics of sustainable development, environmental policy development, and global environmental issues.
Research/Writing/Project Management
Application of the principles and mechanics of research and technical writing. Students will conduct a primary or secondary research activity for a client. Skill development will be focused on applied writing skills; research design and development; statistical analysis; research reporting; and planning, implementation, and completion of a report.
Creole Cultures of Belize
This course explores, examines and evaluates the challenges and experiences of the peoples and cultures that have come together to form the modern nation of Belize. What has helped to unite this diverse group of people who form Belize is the process of "creolization". The various thematic areas to be discussed will include: culture, ethnicity, race, nationalism, identity politics, class, globalization and creolization. These themes and factors as well as others will be analyzed to enable a better understanding and appreciation of the common threads that unites all Belizeans in spite of geographical location; and at times, biological and cultural differences. Students are introduced to the subjects of the processes of globalization, creolization, language formation, identity politics and ethnographic research and hence the complexities of Belizean society as it evolved through time to the 21st century.
Applications of Sustainable Development (Service Learning)
Students work in teams, in partnership with local NGOs and governmental agencies, to explore and find solutions to problems identified by their partners. Projects may be new or a continuation of a prior team's work. At the end of the semester students submit written reports and make oral presentations to their partner organizations.
Maximizing Your Belize Experience
To get the most out of living and studying in Belize, students read, discuss, and write about the intercultural experience both in pre-departure meetings in the fall and during the semester in Belize.
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Last modified May 27 2009 10:13 AM
