Small Island States: Climate Change Vulnerability, Adaptation and Resilience
DialogueBali, Indonesia Summer I, 2025
Courses
Engages students with the cultures, societies, and peoples of particular countries and localities in one primary geographic region. Offers students an in-depth and on-site experience and an opportunity to learn about various aspects of the region, which may include politics, sociology, law, history, philosophy, culture, music, arts, literature, theatre, economics, and/or business. Students may connect with their peers in each locality and across societies, therein to gain an international experience designed to enhance their academic studies on campus in Boston. Culminating projects may include a research paper, an artistic expression piece (i.e., film or photos), or other assignment as determined by the professor. May be repeated without limit.
Engages students with the culture, civilization, and people of the countries studied and visited. The course provides students with an in-depth and on-site experience, learning the politics, sociology, journalism, human services, law, public policy, and/or economics and business in the country of study. Students connect with their peers in each country/society and gain a “global experience” that enhances their academic studies on campus in Boston. The experience culminates in an independent research project conducted by the students before, during, and after their time in-country. May be repeated without limit.
The program focuses on exploring key environmental challenges of island states. What climate resiliency planning by and for communities looks like in these unique settings, with an emphasis on local approaches and solutions. The program will examine local and international case studies. In addition, we will pay special attention to examples of how organizations work within their community and cultural context to address the issues facing them and develop and deep understanding of the local context. Throughout, we will utilize a deep equity lens and look at the interplay between poverty and other social inequities and how it plays into vulnerability to climate change impacts. Further, we will look at how these complex issues are addressed locally and if/how a society can balance the need for social economic development with the preservation of the unique ecosystem currently under threat. Participants will develop a critically reflective understanding of best practices for planners, designers, and policy professionals across a range of topic areas, from green infrastructure, sustainable development, for local and regional climate resiliency. Furthermore, the program will integrate various cultural and traditional Balinese activities facilitated by local artists and instructors.
