This program is embedded as part of a multi-term course titled Politics of Sustainable Development in Latin America (4 credit hours total). Limited to 12 students. Students will receive one grade for the full course in spring semester, but MUST enroll in ALL THREE course modules:

• GOVT 3613/LATA 3612 Politics of Sustainable Development in Latin America 1
  (Fall 2023, Second Seven Week, Oct - Dec, 2023)
• GOVT 3614/LATA 3614 Politics of Sustainable Development in Latin America 2
  (Winter 2024, Tentative - January 2-16, 2024)
• GOVT 3623/LATA 3623 Politics of Sustainable Development in Latin America 3
  (Spring 2024, First Seven Week, Jan - March, 2024)

Course Description: In recent decades the Andean region of Latin America has become a focal point of international debate over alternative models of economic development and their environmental consequences. Windfall revenues from oil, gas, and mineral extraction have stimulated economic growth in the region, but they have also sparked opposition from environmental organizations and indigenous communities concerned about the effects of extractive activities on land and water resources and community livelihoods. This engaged learning course explores the political ecology of development in Ecuador, focusing on the tensions between extractive models of development and more environmentally sustainable alternatives. The course will count for four credit hours spread across three modules in the fall semester, January intersession, and the spring semester. The fall module will meet during the second 7-week period (Oct. 12-Dec. 17) and provide an introduction to Ecuador’s political and economic development, its cultural diversity, theories of sustainable development, and community-based engaged learning. This will be followed by an intensive, two-week field trip to Ecuador from January 2-16 to study sustainable development on the ground and work on group projects with community partners. In Ecuador, students will spend the first week together in Quito with a home base at Cornell’s partner institution, the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. During the second week, students will deploy in smaller groups to field sites in the Andean or Amazon regions of Ecuador to work with community partners on projects related to biodiversity, agroforestry, food sovereignty, and community planning. The wrap-up module in the first seven weeks of the spring semester will give students an opportunity to write their final research papers and present their group projects based on engaged learning experiences with community partners.  Students will receive one grade in the spring semester for all three modules of the course. This is course has been developed with the support of Cornell's David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement.

Politics of Sustainable Development in Latin America counts toward the Government major, the LACS minor, and the cross-college (CALS and A&S) major in Environment and Sustainability (including the Environmental Policy and Governance concentration within that major). 

The course counts toward the 120 credits that Cornell undergraduate students must earn for graduation. Depending on a student's college, the courses may also fulfill other requirements for electives, distribution requirements, or majors.

Partner Organizations

• Yakum Foundation is an Amazonian NGO working in 20 Cofan, Siekopai, Shuar, and Kichwa indigenous communities across the Amazonian región of Ecuador. It is centered in the city of Tena about 4 hours southeast of Quito. This is a unique region having extremely high biological and cultural diversity. Yakum establishes species-rich "Food Forests" and helps with regenerating poor soils, monitoring agricultural activities, and supporting sustainable small-scale food production and food processing activities. Yakum also supports the development of youth and women’s groups to help empower local communities.
• Terra Genesis International is an NGO that works on regenerative agro-forestry projects near the city of Macas about 6 hours south of Quito, in partnership with ProAmazonia, an agro-forestry initiative of Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Water and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. These projects work with small producers and local communities to enrich soils, restore watersheds, increase biodiversity, and enhance ecoystems.

Course expectations

You'll be expected to:

• Attend class daily.
• Complete all assignments in a timely manner.
• Read assigned materials in advance of each class period.
• Participate in class discussions, case studies, seminars, and field trips.
• Work collaboratively as part of a student team on a project with a community partner in the field in Ecuador.
• Write a short research paper on your project topic, and help your team develop and write-up your final project