Message-ID: <l03010d06b30e315d3e75@[208.147.7.203]> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 10:17:23 +0700 From: "Mark A. Ritchie" <mailto:markr@POBOX.COM> Subject: Program Announcement: Sustainable Development Studies/Thailand To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
All:I am the director of a new study-abroad program focusing on sustainable development issues in Thailand and the wider Mekong Region. I've included a brief program announcement below. If you know of any undergraduates in college or university who might be interested, please pass this along. If you are a professor or at a university, feel free to forward this or post it to the study abroad office and other appropriate places. We are still accepting students on a rolling basis, but interested students need to contact us soon.
For those of you in the Mekong Region, our seminars will be open to the wider university and NGO community. Contact me if you are interested in attending or speaking.
Thanks!
-Mark A. Ritchie Director, Sustainable Development Studies, Thailand
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THAILAND: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES Local Responses within a Global Context
An International Program of Kalamazoo College, USA at the Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
ACADEMIC TERM: September 1999-January 2000
Thailand Sustainable Development Studies is an academically challenging experiential learning program focused on the questions surrounding what "sustainability" means in a globalized world. Rigorous classroom study and seminars are coupled with experiential "field based" learning opportunities with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This program is designed to prepare students to live and work in a world characterized by globalization, international multi-culturalism, questions of sustainable development, and cross-cultural learning and living on a daily basis.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM During the September to December semester the courses concentrate on the context, impact and responses to globalization and development, as well as the tools (language and cross cultural skills) to live and learn in Thailand. All courses, except the Thai language courses, are taught in English. (Total credits: 6 Kalamazoo units or 18 semester credits).
Experiential learning is at the core of the Sustainable Development Studies program. Students move beyond the classroom each week to learn from people responding to the forces and processes of globalization at the local level-learning from women factory workers in an export processing zone, community organizers working in an urban slum, or rural villagers working to develop more sustainable farming practices. Periodically throughout the semester extended visits provide a chance for more in-depth experiential learning. The January Individualized Cultural Research Project (ICRP)/Field Study allows students to take the information and theory that they have learned during the semester and apply it in the context of a particular community development organization. Due to the extent of learning opportunities outside the classroom in structured and semi-structured field visits, students on the program are expected to be self-directed and independent learners.
COURSES Theories and Approaches to Development: This course examines theories of development and underdevelopment, as well as various approaches to solving the problems of development used by non-governmental development organizations (NGOs). (social science: one Kalamazoo unit, 3 semester credits)
The Context of Thailand and Southeast Asia: This interdisciplinary course examines the context of development and globalization by looking at the history, politics, economics, sociology and anthropology of Thailand, the wider Mekong Region and Southeast Asia. (social science: one Kalamazoo unit, 3 semester credits)
Issues in Sustainability: This survey course examines issues that touch on the core problems of sustainability, looking at biodiversity, appropriate technology, ecology and natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and other issues. (social science: one Kalamazoo unit, 3 semester credits)
Thai Language and Culture: This course focuses on acquiring both spoken and written Thai, as well as acquiring a working understanding of Thai culture and norms. (language: 2 Kalamazoo unit, 6 semester credits)
Individualized Cultural Research Project (ICRP)/Field Study: ICRP topics will be selected and the work pursued with the help of the academic staff and may include internships with non-governmental organizations such as community development and relief groups, international organizations, human rights groups, media development, etc. The projects typically involve active participation by the student in the activities sponsored by the NGO, supplemented by field research and written materials (both secondary and primary sources) as appropriate. All ICRPs will be completed in the greater Chiang Mai area. (one Kalamazoo unit, 3 semester credits)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Center for International Programs Kalamazoo College 1200 Academy Street Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006 USA Phone: 616-337-7133 Fax: 616-337-7400 E-mail: mailto:cip@kzoo.edu Web: http://www.kzoo.edu/cip/thailand/
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--------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark A. Ritchie, Ph.D. mailto:markr@pobox.com - http://www.pobox.com/~markr/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Director, Sustainable Development Studies Program Kalamazoo College (USA) at the Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Sociology http://www.kzoo.edu/cip/thailand/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Office: 66-53-942-189, Voice/Fax: 66-53-278-242, Mobile phone: 66-1-881-8428 PO Box 244, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50202 THAILAND ---------------------------------------------------------------------