Botswana: Community-Based Natural Resource Management

Coursework

Prerequisites:
Previous college-level coursework in ecology, biology, environmental studies, and/or equivalent related coursework as assessed by SIT.

The Botswana: Community-Based Natural Resource Management program's interdisciplinary coursework focuses on conservation issues and challenges in sustainable development in fragile ecosystems such as the Kalahari Desert and Okavango Delta. Students examine rangeland management, natural resource management, and species adaptation through participation in research and interactions with academicians, consultants, conservationists, and host families. During the final four weeks of the semester, students leverage field study experience and research skills to complete a supervised Field Practicum.

The Botswana: Community-Based Natural Resource Management program offers the following courses. These course descriptions can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Learn more about credit transfer.

Community-Based Natural Resource Management Seminar - syllabus
(ENVI 3000 / 4 credits / 60 class hours)
An interdisciplinary course, conducted in English, examining the long-term conservation objectives and development needs of local populations in Botswana, with the opportunity to study contemporary environmental challenges in wilderness areas. Resources utilized in the delivery of course content include the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Center, the University of Botswana, the Mokolodi Nature Reserve’s education center, and leading nongovernmental organizations such as the Kalahari Conservation Society, CARACAL, and Environmental Watch Botswana.

Intensive Language Study: Setswana - syllabus
(SETS 1000 / 4 credits / 60 class hours)
Emphasis on beginning speaking and comprehension skills through classroom and field instruction.  Classes are taught three to five hours daily in Mogobane, with further language practice during the other homestays.

Environmental Field Study Seminar - syllabus
(ENVI 3500 / 4 credits / 60 class hours)
A course in research methods in both the social and natural sciences. The main focus is on learning how to collect, analyze, integrate, and report social and ecological data to critically understand and evaluate program-related environmental issues. Introduction to the Independent Study Project. Field study ethics and the World Learning/SIT Human Subjects Review Policy. Field studies, depending on program site and focus, may include designing a research project; writing a research proposal; interviewing; surveys; maintaining a field journal. Specific ecological field study methods may include micro- and macrohabitat analysis; biotic sampling and analysis; fauna and flora identification; biodiversity monitoring;  population analysis; and animal behavior.

Field Practicum- syllabus
(ISPR 3000 / 4 credits / 120 class hours)
The Field Practicum offers students an opportunity for in-depth field study on a topic of particular interest, and to practice field study techniques under the guidance of a mentor researcher. Working closely with the academic director, students are assigned to an advisor, who oversees and guides student field study on a particular project. Students are able to participate in important, and often longitudinal, studies of ecology and conservation in Botswana, while simultaneously gaining field study experience under the guidance and
supervision of leading environmental researchers.