printer friendly pageHUMBIO 16SC: The Stanford Safari: Field Observations in Our Own Backyard
Although Stanford is renowned as a place of learning and research, the goal of this class is to approach Stanford University as a subject worthy of study in and of itself. Students will study Stanford in terms of the built environment (e.g. architecture; how buildings and styles interact; how the landscape shapes the flow of people, plants, and animals), the human interactions (e.g. sociology of tourism, the politics of land use), and the ecology (flora, fauna, geology, climatology, and pest control) of campus.nThe students in this course will defamiliarize themselves with their campus environment and approach Stanford with new eyes-the eyes of the anthropologist, the photographer, the historian, the artist, and the tourist. We will explore its edifices, gardens, sculptures, open spaces, and commercial areas. Moreover, we will use Stanford as a lens to discuss a variety of disciplines: architecture, educational theory, California history, climatology, and natural history. But more than anything, we will focus on the human component, including the vision, drive, and serendipity that shaped the University.nIn taking the course students will hone their skills in field observation that will carry over to future field work in more distant locales, develop an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing complex institutions, and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and richness of Stanford that will enhance all aspects of their remaining time as undergraduates. On a daily basis, the class will consist of three components: class presentations and discussions, formal and informal talks by many of the local experts at Stanford, and topical field trips. Students will select a theme that is of personal interest and develop field observation techniques useful for their particular topics. Course assignments will be to give two presentations on specific aspects of Stanford. In addition, each student will keep a field note-book with daily observations and field notes, post a collection of photographic observations, and complete pertinent readings. Plan to work intensely and have a great time in the process.
Terms: Sum
| Units: 2
Instructors:
Siegel, R. (PI)
HUMBIO 18SC: Conservation and Development Dilemmas in the Amazon (ANTHRO 11SC)
This course explores the human dimensions of conservation efforts under way in the Amazon Basin of South America. It has two specific goals: (1) to introduce the human ecology of Amazonia; and (2) to assess the prospects for joint efforts at biodiversity conservation and community development. We will draw on case studies to investigate such topics as the causes and consequences of deforestation, the social impact of parks and protected areas, and the potential for "Integrated Conservation and Development Projects" (ICDPs) such as extractive reserves, natural forest management, biodiversity prospecting, and community-based ecotourism. The course views Amazonia as a microcosm of the challenges facing conservation and development efforts today in the Third World. nnPart of the course is an intensive 11-day expedition to the Peruvian Amazon, at no extra cost, to observe firsthand the conservation and development dilemmas discussed in class. We will visit ecolodges in the rainforest, walking miles of trails to learn about local flora, fauna, and conservation efforts. We will also visit Machu Picchu in the upper reaches of the rainforest. For the travel portion of the class, undergraduates will be joined by a group of Stanford alumni and friends. nnStudent contributions and presentations are emphasized throughout the course. Students are expected to come well-prepared to each session, to lead discussions, and to carry out literature research. The final assignment is a 6 to 8 page paper on a case study of your own choosing¿or an equivalent piece of a longer collaborative paper¿that offers a critical assessment of one particular conservation and/or development project in or near the region we will visit. Students will present the main findings of their papers in a joint seminar of undergraduates and alumni as we travel in the Peruvian Amazon. nn nnNote: Students will arrive on campus and will be housed at Stanford until we leave for the Amazon. Travel to and from Peru¿organized by the Travel/Study Program of the Stanford Alumni Association¿is included; costs are defrayed by the Stanford Field Seminar Fund and generous donors.
Terms: Sum
| Units: 2
Instructors:
Durham, W. (PI)
;
Novy, J. (PI)
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