Academics
Summer 2024 Course Overview
You will take two courses simultaneously for a total of 8 credits. One course is taught by a local faculty member from Universidad de Sagrado Corazon and the other course will be taught by Brandeis faculty. All academic work will be taught in English.
Your learning will consist of a combination of classroom lecture and coursework, guest speakers, and field trips to sites of interest in and around the entire island. All aspects of this program will deepen your understanding of environmental conservation, current environmental issues in Puerto Rico, and water of the Caribbean. Additional excursions will focus on creating a deeper understanding of contemporary life and culture on the island.
Expand All
This course will provide an overview of the geology, physics, chemistry, and biology of the world’s oceans, with an emphasis on current ocean issues like sea level rise, hurricanes, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, dead zones, changing habitats, and plastic pollution.
Taught by Brandeis Professor Sally Warner
Prerequisite
None
Course Credit
The course grades will be listed on students' Brandeis transcript and will count on their overall GPA. The courses will count as Brandeis credit, and not as transfer credit.
- Environmental Studies Majors & Minors: Satisfies the Natural Science elective requirement and counts as a Writing Intensive (WI) course.
- Climate Justice, Science, and Policy Minors: Satisfies the Climate Science course requirement
- Brandeis Core: Fulfills the Science requirement.
This course delves into the analysis of the environmental aspects most linked to the objectives of sustainable development. Topics related to energy, resource depletion, environmental pollution, among others, are studied. The course incorporates research exercises, immersion activities and invites the student to actively reflect on the environmental dimensions of their environment in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. In addition, it stimulates knowledge of successful international environmental protection experiences and the management of solutions that incorporate elements of design, entrepreneurship, data analysis, and technology.
Taught by USC Professor Carlos Muniz Osorio
Prerequisites
None
Course Credit
The course grades will be listed on students' Brandeis transcript and will count on their overall GPA. The courses will count as Brandeis credit, and not as transfer credit.
- Environmental Studies Majors & Minors: Satisfies the Natural Science elective requirement.
- Climate Justice, Science, and Policy Minors: Satisfies the additional elective course requirement
- Brandeis Core: Fulfills the Difference & Justice in the World requirement; fulfills the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Studies in the United States requirement; fulfills the Science requirement.
For those eligible, students may fulfill their Applied Learning Experience PLUS one natural science elective.
Spanish Language and Culture
In addition to the Environmental Studies courses you are taking in San Juan, all students will participate in a Spanish Language and Culture course that supplements the cross-cultural experience you are having in Puerto Rico.
Academic Excursions
During the course of the program there will be various academic excursions throughout the island. These excursions are organized to help bring you into direct contact with the subject matter you are studying. Over the course of the summer program, the once a week excursions may include: kayaking through the mangroves, visiting coral reef centers, visiting the bioluminescent bay, walking through El Yunque rainforest, and more.
Prerequisites for the Program
A Spanish course is highly recommended before attending the program but not required.
