The course involves preparatory work during the semester of spring 2017 and a two week service trip to Angostura in the Dominican Republic in May (tentatively May 16-29). Through Education First, we are collaborating with a local NGO to identify development challenges that will effectively use the range of engineering, science, social science and business skills of our Clarkson faculty and students.
During the spring semester, 2017, we will be meeting weekly to learn about the community and the context of the project and begin working in teams to develop solutions to the specific problems that we have been provided. Our task is to assist in the development of information technology and content for the community’s ecotourism enterprise and to develop computer infrastructure and educational resources for local schools. We may also identify other projects according to the needs of the community and the interests of the class over the coming months.
This year will build on our experiences with a similar service learning course in the spring of 2015 where we collected data about the impact of existing cook stove technology on indoor air quality.
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Facebook page for Angostura lodge
The Dominican Republic: A National History, Frank Moya Pons
Lonely Planet Spanish Phrasebook and Dictionary
Eric Paul Roorda, Lauren H. Derby and Raymundo Gonzalez (2014) The Dominican Republic Reader: History, Culture, Politics. Duke University Press.
Sean Harvey (2011) The Rough Guide to the Dominican Republic. Rough Guides.
Date | Topic | Other Notes |
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Monday 1/16 |
First class meeting, A few notes about preparing for travel (passports, immunizations, registering/paying for trip) |
CDC Health Information for Travelers to the Dominican Republic
Travel Clinic (Clinic is held two times a month by Appointment) Duolingo EF College Study Tours Enrollment Booklet |
Monday 1/23 |
Evaluation of Angostura web site Look at inspiring examples Brainstorm goals for the course Project teams Possible presentations |
Some other inspring sites:
Catarata Lodge Piedra Blanca Sarinbuana Eco Lodge Moko Lodi |
Monday 1/30 | Dominican History (Jeanna) | |
Monday 2/6 | Ecotourism (Jon Goss) |
Richard Denman (n.d.)
Product development, marketing and promotion of ecotourism: summary report. The Tourism Company.
Tinelle D. Bustam and Taylor Stein, How to Develop a Marketing Plan for Your Ecotourism Business. IFAS Extension, University of Florida. Antonis B. Petropoulos (2009) Marketing Ecolodges in an Ecological, Ethical & Effective way . International Ecotourism Club. Andy Drumm and Alan Moore (2205) An Introduction to Ecotourism Planning, Volume l . The Nature Conservancy. Andy Drumm and Alan Moore (2205) An Introduction to Ecotourism Planning, Volume 2 . The Nature Conservancy. |
Monday 2/13 |
Basic Spanish lessons,
Current news and issues in the Dominican Republic,
Relations with the US, Immigration
Discuss ideas for everyone's powerpoints (Jeanna) |
BBC News Dominican Republic Country Profile
Immigrants from the Dominican Republic in the United States 2/2015: Thousands of Dominicans Woke Up This Week Without Citizenship in Any Country The Economist: Dominican Republic A popular president Mr. Vice President, All in Not Well in the DR |
Monday 2/20 |
Work on projects Detailed questions to send to hosts | |
Friday 2/27 | Documentary: Black in Latin America (Jeanna) | |
Monday 3/6 | Proposals for presentations due | |
Monday 3/13 | Work on projects | |
Monday 3/20 | Spring break | |
Monday 3/27 | Work on projects | |
Monday 4/3 |
Presentations: History and Development of the Dominican Economy (Matthew),
Sociohistorial analysis of Angostura and the DR (Daniel),
Flora and Fauna of the DR (Lexie) Break into groups to practice Spanish |
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Monday 4/10 | Presentations:
Landmarks in the DR (Nicole) Agricultural Economy (Maura) International Relationships (Trinity/Anise) Ecocertifications (Kristin) |
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Monday 4/17 | Project Status updates Website draft? Cookbook draft? Geo-caching/Trail mapping? |
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Monday 4/24 | Presentations:
Dominican Food (Ben) Survival Spanish Quiz |
Must pass survival Spanish quiz before end of semester |
TBA | Final exam slot, Any final presentations, Last chance Survival Spanish quiz, Review of the basics, Dominican dinner (?), More Merengue/Bachata lessons (?), Trip logistics review/discussion | |
Tuesday 5/16 | Fly to Santo Domingo | |
5/29 | Return to the US |