Taught In English

There is no language prerequisite for courses at this language level.

UNIVERSIDAD LATINOAMERICANA DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA
ACE PROGRAM
Code: 03-0024 Name of the Course: Environmental Impact and Society
Contact Hours: 45 Laboratory contact hours: 15 TOTAL 60 CONTACT HOURS

Course Description
This course will examine different ways of conceptualizing the nature of resources, the environment and society. This course introduces the study of major environmental problems and the Costa Rican experience of reaching sustainability in the use of its natural resources. It critically analyzes the relationships between people and their environments while focusing on the big issue facing the globe: The equitable and sustainable use of this planet’s resources. Students will work with case studies in conservation models or projects where balance between development and conservation is promoted. Problems encountered in the application of the sustainability concepts are also reviewed. Topics such as urban growth, management, forestry development and environmental impact are discussed.

Objectives
• To introduce the student to environmental problems and its socioeconomic implications facing the planet as a whole and Costa Rica specifically.
• To provide the opportunity to study a series of real cases about conservation and management of biodiversity and wildlife.

Course Methodology
The course uses a theoretical-practical teaching approach. This learning-by-doing approach not only allows students to finish understanding the theoretical framework, but also leaves them prepared to apply learned principles in future situations. It is estimated that students will need to dedicate four to six hours of independent study per week.

Evaluation

Exams: The course will have two exams. The first will be on Week 5, and a second exam on week 9. The exams contain theoretical and practical elements to evaluate student’s progress. Each exam is worth 15% for a total of 30%.

Journal: each student should keep a journal of relevant environmental awareness experiences lived while taking the class. Critical analysis of the experiences incorporating elements learned in the course should be used when logging entries in the journal. Due on week 9. Value 20%.

La Marta Field Trip: One of the objectives of this course is that the students have the opportunity to experience real cases of conservation and management of biodiversity and wildlife. In the search of this objective we will visit La Marta Wildlife Refuge, this is a protected area owened and managed by Ulacit, in the trip we will visit other areas of historical and or sociological interest for Costa Ricans.

Other Trips and Classroom Participation: Given the practical nature of the course, participation in class discussions is essential. The value for participation is 20%.

Individual research project: Each student will present an individual project based on an environmental management case study in Costa Rica. Proposals are due on Week 2. The research project is worth 15%.

Items Percentage Value
Exams 1 & 2 (15% each)30%
Fieldtrips 15%
Participation in Class and other trips 20%
Journal 20%
Individual Research Project 15%

Bibliography:

Harper, C. Environment and Society: Human Perspectives on Environmental Issues, Third Edition, Prentice Hall

Obando A.,V., 2002. Biodiversidad en Costa Rica. Estado del conocimiento y Gestión. INBIO. 1 ed. Santo Domingo de Heredia.

Nature Conservancy Costa Rica
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/centralamerica/costarica

Ambientico Magazine - http://www.ambientico.una.ac.cr/
Costa Rica National Parks - http://www.costarica-nationalparks.com/

MINAE - www.minae.go.cr

SETENA www.setena.minae.go.cr

Additional relevant readings might be assigned during the course

Proposed Timetable and Topics

Week Activities
1
- Class presentation and program discussion
- Environmental Footprint
2
- Waste and Waste Management
- Visit to an AyA Water Treatment Plant
- Project proposals due
3
- Ecosystems, Human Systems and Environmental Systems
- Visit to the Simón Bolívar Zoo
4
- Major Environmental Problems
- Movie Discussion: An Inconvenient Truth
5
- Partial Exam 1
- Our Natural Resources
6
- Coastal Management
- Field trip to a beach
7
- Population, Environment and Food
8
- Sustainability (ecotourism and other examples)
- Environmental Economics and Environmentalism
- Week-end field trip to La Marta Wildlife Refuge
9
- Project Presentations
- Final Exam