Critical Perspectives on Ecotourism
Early Fall: in-country dates August 22 – September 18, 2017
Eligibility: open to graduate and undergraduate students in all majors on all UW campuses
Application Deadline: March 1 (decision within two weeks)
Information Sessions:
- Tuesday, January 24, 4:00-5:00PM, UW Bothell, UW1-361
- Monday, January 30, 3:00-4:00PM, UW Bothell, UW1-361
- Wednesday, February 8, 4:00-5:00PM, UW Seattle, Thomson Hall 403
This Exploration Seminar is an interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students to the role of ecotourism and conservation in sub-Saharan Africa. Tanzania is one of the most important sites for wildlife conservation and tourism in the world and the country faces many challenges in meeting the demands of conservation, tourism investment and sustainable development. Participants in this program will approach ecotourism as a political, economic and cultural phenomenon, examining the ways in which tourism functions as a site for political contestation on local, regional, national and international scales.
Students will take a five-credit course that focuses on the colonial history of conservation, sustainable land use and the political economy and cultural dimensions of tourism. Students will also study Swahili, the national language of Tanzania.
Co-director and UW faculty member Ben Gardner has worked in Tanzania for over 20 years. Co-director Kate Osmond has extensive experience in the field of international education. We have strong relationships with Tanzanian organizations and collaborators, including the Pastoral Women’s Council, Ujamaa Community Resource Team, and Emanyatta Secondary School, who will act as our local hosts.
More program information including detailed program description, learning goals, and costs can be found on the program website. Please join us at an upcoming information session!