Topic for Fall 2016: Environmental Challenges of Africa
In this symposium, students will learn about the environmental challenges facing African countries and peoples. While a "challenge" is similar to a "problem" in that the existence of one suggests an unmet need or even perhaps a crisis, the definition of a challenge is different. A problem can be defined but not solved, while a challenge, once defined, cries out for some method of meeting it. Thus, in this course, we will examine major environmental challenges facing Africa and then consider different ways of meeting them. Possible topics for projects include the following: water scarcity, deforestation, desertification, mining/natural resource exploitation, wildlife conservation, urban pollution, e-waste, population issues, land use (including agriculture).

Topic for Spring 2017: Urban Agriculture
An exploration of the urban agriculture movement including readings, guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on learning on our own urban farm (aka SLUG). Class is discussion based with a group final project and 5hrs of service learning per week expected.