WMU: Amazonia: Culture and Environment (Faculty-led)

Geography 5450, Amazonia: Culture and Environment is designed to provide students with first-hand experience in core geographic concepts as they relate to the Amazonian Region of South America.  An extensive reading list prior to the course's departure will be used to introduce students to the region’s physical environment, ecology, history, cultural landscapes, economic development, as well as its role in global issues relating to biodiversity and global climate change.  Students will then travel to the Brazilian Amazon on a ~3 week excursion in the world’s largest rainforest.  The core principles brought to light in the readings will be examined first-hand through a series of field trips designed to provide the students with a level of understanding far beyond what could be accomplished in a normal classroom setting.

Methods of Instruction: The course will make use of the Elearning system to deliver reading materials and provide a forum for discussions related to the reading content over the two weeks prior to departure for Brazil.  The Brazil portion of the course will make use of a variety of field and experiential learning opportunities to build upon, and provide first-hand exploration of themes explored in the readings.