The Location: Costa Rica, the so-called “green republic”, has been hailed as an example of successful sustainable development. However, social, environmental and economic problems persist. Pesticides are over used and deforestation is rampant. After traveling from Pittsburgh to San Jose, Costa Rica, the group will travel to local farms, national parks and to visit indigenous communities in Quizarrá, Buenos Aires, Uvita, Dominical and Aguirre.
Course Work and Highlights: This course focuses on sustainability policies in Costa Rica. The course combines lectures by local experts, field work, home visits, day trips to national parks, and reflective practices designed to give a first-hand experience of community development strategies. Highlights will include a visit to a bird sanctuary, a mangrove kayak tour, community service activities, and visits to Aradikes and Boruca indigenous communities. Students will be evaluated on the basis of discussion entries, participation in reflective activities, and one project.
Housing: Students will stay in double, triple or quad rooms in local lodges and hotels. We will also stay with local families.
Prerequisite: Students must have completed one of the following: SUS 100 Sustainable Systems, ENG 100 Multicultural Literature, COM 101 Foundations of Human Communication, any course in economics, POL104, Intro to International Relations, or SWK 101, Intro to Sociology, or receive permission from the instructor.


Eligibility:
Chatham undergraduate students must have good academic standing and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at the time of application and at the commencement of spring 2018 semester. Students must have completed at least 30 undergraduate credits at the time of travel, including at least 15 credits completed at Chatham at the time of travel.
Students must have good judicial standing (to be verified by Office of Student Affairs) and good financial standing at Chatham (to be verified by Student Accounts).
Students must be current Chatham students at the time of the field experience to participate.
The minimum enrollment for this course is 16 students. Each Maymester program is self-supporting and must meet its minimum enrollment number or it will be cancelled.