Muhlenberg College
AC-5: Immersive Experience

Muhlenberg College offers 4 immersive, sustainability-focused educational study programs. The programs include one or both of the following criteria: It concentrates on sustainability, including its social, economical and environmental dimensions and/or it examines an issue or topic using sustainability as a lens.

Costa Rica: “Students explore solutions to the delicate problem of environmental and cultural conservation in developing countries with a focus on Costa Rica. During the spring semester, students develop projects and prepare for the two-week study/research/travel experience to Costa Rica at the end of May. This preparation includes study of the area's ecological diversity; political, cultural, and social issues; research skills; and relevant Spanish vocabulary and conversation skills. In Costa Rica, students explore a variety of habitats, live in and interact with members of a small town, and conduct both community service and independent research projects. Research projects focus on the ecology, sociology, culture, sustainability, and public health of the region. One of the objectives of the program is to remove the blinders of specific discipline-based learning and of our own culture to show that if we are to develop sustainable solutions.” *This description was copied from our Capstone course system http://www.muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/biology/faculty/niesenbaum/cr.html Bangladesh: “This team-taught course examines the impact of climate change on economic, social, and political development by focusing on the nation of Bangladesh. In addition to introducing students to the science and politics of climate change, the course also examines the specific environmental, economic, and social challenges confronting Bangladesh's political development since its independence; investigates the environmental and social consequences of state-sponsored development strategies, especially recent market-based 'neo-liberal' policies; and evaluates new 'sustainable development' strategies that are emerging as a response to the challenges posed by climate change.” *This description was copied from our Capstone course system China: “..addresses sustainable development in China and includes a two week travel experience in the Pearl River Delta region of China.” Allentown: Local Sustainability This course will take an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing sustainability at the local level either in the Muhlenberg community or communities in the Lehigh Valley, and will explore human-environment issues within the context of the relationship among individuals and institutions. Through readings, presentations, and the development of individual research projects, students will assess current sustainability efforts and develop recommendations for future efforts. Research projects may include surveying community members about perceptions and attitudes towards sustainability and environmental issues, assessing current sustainability efforts, and interviewing local experts, members of organizations and politicians. Priorities for research will be determined in collaboration with the community, and results and recommendations will be shared.