Sustainable Development

Students work in selected internships in non-profit, government agencies, or farmer networks associated with the Brazilian Consortium on Agroecology and Sustainable Development. The purpose of the internship is to gain direct experience in agroecological techniques and methodologies to achieve sustainability in agriculture. Internships are approved in advance by the faculty coordinator with whom each student will be required to meet regularly and plan out complementary readings and regular written reports. Work commitments will range between 180-360 hours depending upon the number of units undertaken and the length of the term enrolled. Final assessments will be based upon performance in the internship, quality of written reports and a final assessment by the faculty advisor. Internship is repeatable for up to 16 units. Enrollment is restricted to 10 students per term selected through a special selection process. See instructor for details.

Changes in Third World rural economy, ecology, and environment and ways in which these are affected by development policies. Historical dimensions of Third World environmental problems. Changing patterns of rural production (especially food) and resource use; alternative theories of natural resource and socioeconomic development; linkages between socioeconomy and environment in agrarian change and development policy; technology and resource control; conservation and development problems

Assessment of the consequences and opportunities of various technological systems (such as energy, buildings, transportation, materials, waste management) for sustainable development of society. Political and economic structures of societal decision making. Environmental consequences of various technologies. Metrics and measures. Specific topics vary from year to year according to student and faculty interests. Course meetings include a mix of faculty lectures and student-led seminar presentations.

Assessment of the consequences and opportunities of various technological systems (such as energy, buildings, transportation, materials, waste management) for sustainable development of society. Political and economic structures of societal decision making. Environmental consequences of various technologies. Metrics and measures. Specific topics vary from year to year according to student and faculty interests. Course meetings include a mix of faculty lectures and student-led seminar presentations.

Exploration of selected important technologies that serve major societal needs, such as shelter, water, food, energy, and transportation, and waste management. How specific technologies or technological systems do or do not contribute to a move toward sustainability. Specific topics vary from year to year according to student and faculty interests.

This course examines and explores the concept of sustainable development at the community level. The course has three sections: (1) an introduction to the discourse on sustainable development; (2) an exploration of several leading attempts to incorporate sustainability principles into plans, planning, and urban design; (3) an examination of European attempts to establish metropolitan patterns and urban designs for a more sustainable "green urbanism."

Students work in selected internships in non-profit, government agencies, or farmer networks associated with the Brazilian Consortium on Agroecology and Sustainable Development. The purpose of the internship is to gain direct experience in agroecological techniques and methodologies to achieve sustainability in agriculture. Internships are approved in advance by the faculty coordinator with whom each student will be required to meet regularly and plan out complimentary readings and regular written reports. Work commitments will range between 180-360 hours depending upon the number of units undertaken and the length of the term enrolled. Final assessments will be based upon performance in the internship, quality of written reports, and a final assessment by the faculty advisor. Internship is repeatable for up to 16 units. Enrollment is restricted to 10 students per term selected through a special selection process. See instructor for details.