Professor Noha Shawki and the Department of Politics and Government have received a grant from the Student Sustainability Committee in support of the Costa Rica fair trade program that will take place during spring semester 2020.
During spring semester 2020 the department will offer an independent study project involving around 15 undergraduate and graduate students. The independent study is designed as a project that uses fair trade to help students think about and understand critical sustainability issues from a global perspective. The project also incorporates elements of global engagement and experiential learning. It encourages students to study and engage with environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability and global justice. It also provides them the opportunity to engage with fair trade, a movement that seeks to promote global justice, community development, and sustainability.
The course will center on a week-long experience in Costa Rica where students will visit fair trade certified farms and meet with coop members and stakeholders to learn about fair labor practices, sustainable agricultural practices, and the impact of fair trade on community development. Grant funds will support student travel to Costa Rica. Interested students should apply for this program by November 1.
