ENS 350 Environmental Challenges: Linking the Local to the Global
This course examines local environmental challenges in Cuenca, Ecuador and nearby locations, and explores links between the local context and the broader global context. Examples of topics include: gold mining and its effects on water quality; eco-agricultural sustainable food production; corn sovereignty (small production vs. large agro-industrial production); invasive species of flora and fauna (e.g. introduction of trout in Cajas). Experiential learning will be a significant element of the course, and students will regularly visit local communities, NGOs, museums, governmental offices, etc. so that students can learn from those who are most affected by these issues.