ECON 259: Environment and Economic Development in Amazonas Brazil

ECON 259
4 credits
3.5 weeks in Brazil
Professor James Kahn

Amazonas is a huge Brazilian state of 1.5 million sq. kilometers which retains ninety-eight percent of its original forest cover. This course examines the importance of the forest for economic development in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy, and how policies can be develop to promote both environmental protection and an increase in the quality life in both the urban and rural areas of Amazonas. The learning objectives of this course integrate those of the economics and environmental studies majors. Students are asked to use economic tools in an interdisciplinary context to understand the relationships among economic behavior, ecosystems and policy choices. Writing assignments focus on these relationships and look towards the development of executive summary writing skills. Prerequisites: ECON 101 or ENVS 110.

Program Fee: $2,325. (To be paid to W&L) includes room, some meals, boat tickets, mandatory supplementary health insurance, fees paid for guides and to villages, etc.

Other estimated expenses: Airfare hometown-Miami-Lexington (est. $400); international airfare (est. $800); taxis (est. $100); meals (est. $700); immunizations (est.$200); visa ($220) miscellaneous spending money (est. $200).

Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 7 p.m. in Northen Auditorium, Leyburn Library.

Please contact Prof. Kahn for further details.