Brazil: Amazon Resource Management and Human Ecology

Coursework

Prerequisites:
Previous college-level coursework and/or other preparation in environmental studies, ecology, development studies, or other related fields is strongly recommended but not required. Although there is no language prerequisite, a background in Portuguese, Spanish, or other Romance language is highly recommended.

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The program’s thematic courses—Natural and Human Ecology in the Amazon and Resource Management and Socio-environmental Conflict in the Amazon—combine lectures (in English and occasionally in Portuguese with translation) by knowledgeable speakers, with field exercises undertaken in local communities, forest reserves, farms, ranches, fisheries, and other sites. Through these courses, students obtain first-hand knowledge of the issues addressed in this program from the people who are in the forefront of these issues and shaping the history of the region.

Through the Environmental Research Methods and Ethics course, students learn how to integrate both social science and ecological field techniques through anthropological and field ecology projects. The skills learned in this course will then be applied during the Independent Study Project (ISP).

Portuguese language study provides students an important window into the culture and communities in which they live and study.

The following syllabi are either from a recent session of this program or for an upcoming session. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.

The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.

Natural and Human Ecology in the Amazon - syllabus (PDF)
(ENVI 3005 / 3 credits / 45 hours)
This is a dynamic course that surveys the principle ecosystems of the Brazilian Amazon and the human populations that impact the natural resource base in the region. Students conduct field exercises in diverse ecosystems, from coastal mangroves to the Terra Firme dry land forests in the interior of the Amazon. Course resources include Brazilian academics, researchers, scientists, and civic leaders. The course is taught in English and Portuguese (with translation).

Resource Management and Socio-environmental Conflicts in the Amazon - syllabus(PDF)
(ENVI 3000 / 3 credits / 45 hours)
An interdisciplinary course conducted in English and Portuguese, with required readings, examining the current environmental conflicts affecting the Brazilian Amazon. Direct field observations are a central component of the course. Resources utilized in the delivery of course content include the Instituto de Educação Superior da Amazônia (IESAM), a private college in Belém; nongovernmental organizations such as the Health and Happiness Project (PSA) and Fundação Vitória Amazônica (FVA); and the Brazil Landless Workers Movement (MST).

Environmental Research Methods and Ethics- syllabus (PDF)
(ENVI 3500 / 3 credits / 45 hours)
A course in research methods in both the natural sciences, focusing on how to collect, analyze, integrate, and report ecological data to critically understand and evaluate program-related environmental issues. Introduction to the Independent Study Project; research ethics; and the World Learning/SIT Human Subjects Review Policy. Field studies are focused on designing and structuring a research project; writing a research proposal; collecting and analyzing data (social and natural/qualitative and quantitative); understanding and accounting for research ethics in an intercultural context; maintaining a field journal.

Intensive Language Study: Portuguese for the Natural Sciences I - syllabus (PDF)
(PORT 1000-1500 / 3 credits / 45 class hours)
Intensive Language Study: Portuguese for the Natural Sciences II - syllabus (PDF)
(PORT 2000-2500 / 3 credits / 45 class hours)
Intensive Language Study: Portuguese for the Natural Sciences III - syllabus (PDF)
(PORT 3000-3500 / 3 credits / 45 class hours)
Emphasis on speaking and comprehension skills through classroom and field instruction. Based on in-country evaluation, including oral proficiency testing, students are placed in beginning or intermediate classes. Special arrangements are available for advanced speakers of Portuguese.

Independent Study Project - syllabus (PDF)
(ISPR 3000 / 4 credits / 120 class hours)
Conducted in Belém, Santarém, Manaus, or in another approved location in the Brazilian Amazon appropriate to the project. Sample topic areas: land use within MST communities; environmental consciousness; alternative energy resources; alternative farming practices; sustainable tourism development; informal market economics; commercial fishing; waste management; park-based conservation; sustainable hunting practices.

Browse this program's Independent Study Projects/Undergraduate Research

Credits: 16

Duration: 15 weeks

Program Base: Brazil, Belem

Language Study: Portuguese

Prerequisites: Previous college-level coursework and/or other preparation in environmental studies, ecology, development studies, or other related fields is strongly recommended but not required. Although there is no language prerequisite, a background in Portugues Read more...