COURSE OF STUDY, 18 CREDITS

ENTS 244: Biodiversity Conservation & Development (6 Credits)
This course explores the conflict between conservation and development in Tanzania and Kenya. At various sites along the program route students will examine current efforts to reconcile biodiversity conservation and development, discuss with local experts, and read the relevant literature on the subject to develop a better understanding of the opportunities and obstacles towards developing a just and sustainable world. Students will write a short paper that summarizes their understanding, focusing on how the sites visited on this program fit into the larger debate on conservation and development.
Instructors: Tsegaye Nega and Bernard Kissoui

ENTS 200: Food and Agriculture (6 Credits)
The production and consumption of food is a seemingly mundane activity in our lives. Yet, how we respond to food and our consumptive practices mirror our sense of place, our capacity for self-control, our health, the ways in which we impact the world food production system, and the natural environment. In this course, students will study modern agro-food systems and their social and ecological impacts in Kenya. The group will visit various sites throughout the program, including large and small scale farms, agro-forestry systems, and examples of urban agriculture.
Instructors: Tsegaye Nega and Local Faculty

ENTS 280: Research Projects on Conservation and Development (4 Credits)
This course will cover basic research methods in the social and natural sciences including how to collect, analyze, integrate, and report social and ecological data to critically understand and evaluate environmental issues in Tanzania and Kenya. Participants will work in small groups to develop and execute research projects which will be conducted in both countries in consultation with local faculty.
Instructor: Tsegaye Nega

ENTS 284: Cultural Studies (2 Credits) S/CR/NC
This interdisciplinary course will use readings, meetings with local experts, guest lectures, and visits to cultural sites and museums to examine cultural practices in Tanzania and Kenya.
Instructor: Local faculty

ELIGIBILITY

Pre-requisites: One introductory ENTS course and a minimum of one 200-level ENTS course.

Applicants should have a strong desire to explore two countries and to understand many different aspects of biodiversity conservation and development issues. The program seeks students with the ability to get along well with classmates while living and working closely together and experiencing the discomfort often encountered in fieldwork in Africa. Applicants should be prepared to study and do fieldwork in locations with minimal accommodations.

LOCATION AND LODGING

The 2011 Environmental Studies seminar will use various sites both in Tanzania and Kenya. Accommodation will range from rustic field stations to urban youth hostels and possibly a short homestay. In some places the group will cook together. On travel days, students may be given a food allowance with which to purchase meals.