Madagascar

Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management Seminar – syllabus
(ENVI3000/ 3 credits)

Biodiversity in Madagascar is closely linked to the well-being of local communities and the availability of natural resources. However, climate change, drought, poverty, habitat loss, and human development are increasingly threatening the biodiversity of habitats worldwide. Given practical constraints, conserving all aspects of biodiversity and natural features is not feasible. Our seminar on the conservation of biodiversity will introduce students to the science of biodiversity and to the ecological underpinnings of species extinction and conservation. This background will provide an understanding of methods for protecting and enhancing biodiversity, particularly the use of protected areas. This course, which largely focuses on scientific research around conservation and biodiversity, is deeply intertwined with the program’s other thematic seminar on natural resource management which considers social and political approaches to the management of resources.

Natural Resource Management Seminar- syllabus
(ENVI3005 / 3 credits)

This interdisciplinary course introduces students to a range of key policies and practices for the management of the unique and endemic natural resources in Madagascar. Using conceptual approaches drawn from environmental justice and political ecology, students explore diverse terrestrial and marine resources in a range of locales and consider the realities and challenges of developing effective and equitable natural resource management systems. Key themes through which the issues are explored during the course include livelihoods and stakeholder analyses, protected area and community-based management systems and the cultural practices and their influence on natural resource management.

Malagasy – syllabus
Malagasy (French Version) – syllabus
(MALA1003 / 3 credits)

Students choose Malagasy or French.

Emphasis on beginning speaking and comprehension skills through classroom and field instruction. Formal instruction is augmented by language practice with homestay families.

OR

Beginning French- syllabus

(FREN1003 and FREN1503 / 3 credits)

This intensive course is intended for students who have little or no prior experience with the French language and are preparing to use it effectively in everyday situations in Madagascar. The main goal of the course is to help students engage with the local Malagasy culture, especially during their urban homestay. Therefore, the course primarily focuses on developing speaking and listening skills, with reading and writing as secondary components to support verbal communication and comprehension. Throughout the course, students will also be exposed to the cultural context through audiovisual materials and text book that will cover pronunciation, basic grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. The course covers all four key communication skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, which will be taught through traditional classroom lessons, field activities, and continuous practice during the homestay experience.

Language Levels and Placement

Beginner students with some prior French knowledge are placed into the appropriate language course level (FREN 1003 or FREN 1503) based on oral proficiency interviews conducted during orientation in Antananarivo.

French for Natural Sciences – syllabus
(FREN2003-2503 / 3 credits)

French for Natural Sciences – syllabus
(FREN3003-3503 / 3 credits)

Focusing on oral proficiency in the context of the natural sciences with a biodiversity and natural resource management concentration, language teaching is targeted toward the many activities in the thematic and research methods seminars in order to help students work more independently in the field. The objective is to facilitate students’ interactions with a range of professionals in the field working to manage resources while promoting development within the local cultural context. In support of these objectives, course content provides additional focus on fundamentals of spoken and written French to increase student capacity. Based on in-country evaluation, including oral proficiency testing, students are placed in the appropriate level, with additional language practice in homestays and on field visits.

Environmental Research Methods and Ethics – syllabus
(ENVI3500 / 3 credits)

Conducted primarily in English, this is a course in social and natural sciences research methods. The focus is on learning how to collect, analyze, integrate, and report social and ecological data to critically understand and evaluate various environmental issues. The course serves as an introduction to the Independent Study Project and includes a focus on field study ethics and the World Learning/SIT Human Subjects Review Policy. Field studies may include designing a research project; writing a proposal; interviewing; surveys; and maintaining a field journal. Specific ecological field study methods may include habitat surveys; biotic sampling and analysis; fauna and flora identification; biodiversity monitoring; population censusing; and animal behavior.

In addition to taking the above courses, students will also need to enroll in one of the following two courses:

Independent Study Project
Independent Study Project – syllabus
(ISPR3000 / 4 credits)

Conducted primarily in northern Madagascar or other appropriate locations. Sample topic areas: reforestation; coral reef conservation; medicinal plants in the marketplace; ecotourism; carbon sequestration and financing; land tenure reform and agricultural production; conservation assessments of endangered species; cash crop production and links to local livelihoods; sacred forests; community-based resource management; behavioral ecology of lemurs; sustainable land use techniques.

Sample ISP topic areas:

• Community-based resource management
• Conservation assessments of endangered species
• Coral reef management and conservation
• Cash crop production and links to local livelihoods
• Medicinal plants in the marketplace
• Ecotourism
• Behavioral ecology of lemurs
• Carbon sequestration and financing
• Land tenure reform and agricultural production
• Payments for ecosystem services
• Sacred forests
• Sustainable land use techniques
• Social impacts of land use change from mining and agriculture

Browse this program’s Independent Study Projects / undergraduate research.

OR

Internship and Seminar
Internship and Seminar – syllabus
(ITRN3000 / 4 credits)

You will gain valuable work experience and enhance your professional skillset in an international work environment, drawing on the wide network of community organizations, activists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and academics connected to the program.

Sample internships:

• Supporting agroforestry efforts, monitoring the locally endemic wildlife, and promoting the area through communications with the Missouri Botanical Gardens
• Conserving and breeding the endangered Malagasy frog Mantella auriantiaca in Andasibe at the Mitsinjo breeding center
• Undertaking ecological monitoring and environmental education and developing interpretative materials in one of Madagascar’s National Parks
• Developing and monitoring sustainable natural resource use projects—including fuel efficient stoves, aquaculture and environmental education—with the Duke Lemur Center Sava Conservation Program
• Monitoring populations of critically endangered lemurs and building local capacity in Ankirihitra in the Boeny region and/or in Mahajeby in the Bongolava region
• Supporting ecological restoration and monitoring in the Analamazaotra and community development and livelihoods activities with the Mitsinjo Association
• Developing sustainability initiatives—including urban agriculture, recycling, youth climate and environmental outreach—through the Think Green Madagascar center in Hell Ville Nosy Be