GC 295 Special Topics in Geography
Environmental Studies: Ecotourism in
Galapagos Islands & Ecuador Rainforest
(Post-Winter Semester 2012; May 7 – May 19)
4 credits
Syllabus
Instructor:
Dept.
Office:
Phone:
Email:
I.
Richard Eathorne, Assistant Professor
Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences
3003 New Science Building
227-2575 (office)
reathorn@nmu.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course will be organized around 60 contact hours of instruction (which includes pre-trip and
in-country instruction as noted in section III below) and is designed to provide students a
geoenvironmental studies field experience in a non-Western biocultural and emerging economy setting.
Specifically, the course will expose students to the environmental, cultural, economic and social aspects
of ecotourism in Ecuador. Since no such opportunity exits for students in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan
region, or the United States, the need to provide this kind of active learning course experience “in
country” is obvious.
The country of Ecuador has been selected due to its current engagement in creating a sustainable
economy and developing sociocultural stability through recognition of their unique and rich natural
environments and cultural tapestry. In particular, Ecuador’s protection and preservation efforts of the
Galapagos Islands and support of indigenous efforts to develop sustainable ecotourism opportunities in
the country’s eastern rainforests make Ecuador a perfect active learning destination for any student of
environmental studies.
During the course’s field studies, special emphasis will be placed on the student acquiring an
appreciation and understanding of Ecuador’s rich biocultural environments and how these environments
contribute to the region’s potential for sustainable ecotourism development. Evaluation of student
performance (grade) will be derived via student participation and completion of a critical essay (described
in more detail in the section on Student Assessment below).
II.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Following this field studies course, students should be able to:
1. Articulate an understanding of the ecotourism industry in general.
2. Describe the principle environmental and biocultural features of Ecuador which contribute to
its sustainable ecotourism potentialities.
3. Explain the general social, economic, and cultural factors challenging the objectives of
ecotourism in the country.
4. Discuss the primary linkages between protecting Ecuador’s natural environments and success
in creating a sustainable ecotourism industry.
III.
COURSE STRUCTURE (Pre-trip and in-country)
There will be a total of 8 hours pre-trip classroom discussion, reading assignments, exam, and
brief class presentations, as well as a minimum of 60 contact hours in country of field experience
interaction, interviews with ecotourism operators and local community members. Additionally,
there will be daily formal group meetings for reflection, discussion and evaluation of the day’s
experiences. Structured class meetings in country will take place twice daily during the trip:
students will meet with the instructor for 1 hour prior to the day’s itinerary, and for 1 hour at day’s
end to discuss experiences and assess observations. Active learning and student/instructor
interaction will, of course, take place throughout the day’s activities.
IV.
TEXTBOOKS:
Required: NONE
Recommended for reference/reading:
Tourism and Responsibility: Perspectives from Latin America and the Caribbean,
by Martin Mowforth, Clive Charlton and Ian Munt, 2008
Tourism in Latin America, by Les Lumsdon and Jonathan Swift, 2001
Ecuador Handbook, by Julian Smith, Moon Publications, (most recent edition)
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, by Rob Rachowiecki, Lonely Planet
Publications (most recent edition)
The Ecotourist’s Guide to the Ecuadorian Amazon, by Rolf Wesch, 1997
Amazon Worlds, by Noemi Paymal, 1993
Savages, by Joe Kane, 1995
Galapagos: A Natural History, by Michael Jackson, 1993
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise, by Martha Honey,
1999
Sustainable Tourism, by C. Michael Hal and Allan Lew, (most current edition)
Ecotourism: An Introduction, by David A Fennell, (most current edition)
V.
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Selections from the Recommended Reading List will be provided and Internet selections assigned.
Students will receive a take home exam during pre-trip meeting # 8 to be completed and returned
to instructor prior to departure.
VI.
CLASS MEETINGS and PARTICIPATION
There will be eight (8) one-hour meetings scheduled throughout the Winter 2012 semester.
Specific dates and times to be arranged. Students are expected to attend and participate in class in
preparation for the field studies portion of the course. These classes will cover topics such as
ecotourism, Ecuadorian geography, history and culture. Meetings will include student
presentations on sites to be visited in the country. Finally, all students will participate in
International Programs Office two hours of pre-departure orientation addressing general crosscultural and risk/safety management strategies.
Class Meeting 1: Instructor lecture on general itinerary, travel behavior, rules
and responsibilities
Class Meeting 2: Instructor lecture on Ecuadorian people, ecotourism, general
geography, and cultural orientation of Ecuador
Class Meeting 3: Student presentations on physical geography of Ecuador
Class Meeting 4: Student presentations on cultural geography of Ecuador
Class Meeting 5: Student presentations on economic geography of Ecuador
Class Meeting 6: Student presentations on political geography of Ecuador
Class Meeting 7: Student presentations on environmental issues of Ecuador
Class Meeting 8: Student presentations of in-country destinations. General
question and answers session. Distribute “Take-Home Exam”
VII.
ATTENDANCE:
Pre-trip classes: Required
In-country activities: Required
VIII.
EVALUATION and ASSESSMENT




XI.
Pre-trip reading, presentations, and take-home exam (due prior to departure)
Daily field notes discussion and assessment (due on site)
Critical Essay (due )
Grading:
Percent of Grade
Attendance at pre-trip meetings.
20%
Presentations and class participation
20%
Assigned readings exam
20%
Final paper
40%
100%
CRITICAL ESSAY GUIDLINES
1. 3,000 word minimum, double spaced.
2. Title: Important! Must contain “content” and “command” word(s).
3. Select an Ecuadorian ecotourism topic from readings, field notes, or observations. Ecuador.
4. Introduction: Briefly review “just the facts” of the situation (the origins of the issue / problem, its
current situation, the “players,” the geographical location, etc.)
5. Argument (why the concern, why should anyone care?) Explain why the issue you have selected is
a “problem” by placing it within a larger social, economic or political context. In other words, why
should anyone care or be concerned beyond those immediately affected by the situation?
6. Analysis: What’s being done to address the problems emerging from the issue generated from the
topic? Who’s doing what? What specific actions are being taken by whom, to whom, etc.?
7. Critical Commentary: What’s your position? Who’s “right,” “wrong?” Is everyone missing the big
picture? Do you have anther approach? Why?