This summer, Sterling students and faculty will travel to Scandinavia for a 6-credit global field study program. There is very limited space available for additional travelers. The program is open to both college students and adult learners.

Check out the program description below, and get in touch soon if you want to join us. The final spots are expected to fill up very fast.

HM/NS/SS 263: Sustainable Scandinavian Systems

May 28 - June 29, 2012
6 Credits

Erik S. Hansen, M.A.
Charlotte Rosendahl, Ph.D.
Adrian Owens, M.S.

Course Overview: This 6 credit Sterling College field study program entails travel to Scandinavia in June, 2012, to research environmental and cultural sustainability practices in Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark. Site visits and activities include:

• Alternative energy facilities—solar collection, geothermal, bio-mass, wind-farms;

• Schools, municipalities, “eco-villages,” and industries practicing and teaching environmental sustainability;

• NGOs and government agencies—meeting active members dedicated to improving the environment;

• Seminars with international delegates on issues of organic agriculture and forestry;

• Solo options: Home stays with families and/or independent travel/research projects.

Course Premise: The UN Commission on Environment and Development put the concept of “sustainable development” on the international agenda at The Rio Conference of 1992 and again at Johannesburg in 2002. These gatherings emphasized the need for a “Local Agenda 21,” a coordinated global effort to address pressing environmental challenges of the 21st Century.

The Scandinavian countries have developed striking examples of local and
national “systems thinking” practices that help protect the environment. We can benefit by studying these examples as models for improving our own North American ecological practices.

Course Objectives:

• To explore cultural, social, and linguistic sustainability in a Scandinavian context;

• To adapt and apply “systems thinking” tools of analysis to social conditions and challenges;

• To observe differences/similarities in educating for sound ecological practices;

• To understand common cultural and historical features and how they account
for identifiable traits in lifestyle;

• To compare cultural geography and land use practices of US and Scandinavia and EU;

• To explore natural history, fauna, flora, or the region and impact on agriculture and food production.

Estimated AIR FARE, TRAVEL, LODGING FIELD COSTS: $4,000*
payable in installments: $1500 March 1, $2500 May 1, 2012

*Air fare, travel, and lodging field costs are estimates and subject to change. This amount covers travel, meals, housing and transport to/from Boston airport. It but does not include individual spending money or passport fees.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Erik Hansen at ehansen(at)sterlingcollege.edu