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Workshop on Teaching International Development in the Liberal Arts Colorado College Thursday May 19, 2011

Tourism and Development Pilot ModuleRecap of last workshopThe importance and challenge of Integrating inter-disciplinary perspectives into teaching international developmentPreparing students to do development abroad (or domestically)Raise students awareness of the complexities of doing development at the local levelBuild practical skills

Pilot moduleTopic: tourism and developmentGoals:Inter-disciplinaryApplied; problem-solving orientedBuild skills to prepare students to do developmentAt Beloit Campus Spring 2011Diep Phan: Economic DevelopmentJennifer Esperanza: Introduction to Anthropology with a module on developmentRachel Ellett: Introduction to International PoliticsAll three professors inserted a module on tourism and development into their courses at the end of the semesterTourism and Development Case StudyA fictional village named Serapudi in Botswana Fictional but somewhat based on a real case studyThe government wants to create a Rhino Sanctuary with two goals:Protect the rhinosPromote tourism to generate jobs and reduce poverty in the areaStudents are given economic, political and cultural backgroundThey are asked to carry out two tasks:Should the project be implemented? Write a report to explain the reasons why.Assuming the project is to be implemented, what would a draft of the implementation plan look like?

Tourism and Development Case StudyStudents are asked to work in groups and write the reports on their own first.Three professors take turn visiting each others classes to deliver lectures on economic, political, and cultural aspects of tourism and development.Students then revise and resubmit their reports.ResultsStudents feedbacks are very positive overall.Most students very much appreciated the inter-disciplinary approach.Most students agreed that the exercise has broadened their perspectives and affected the way they think about and approach development.Most students enjoyed the applied aspect of the exercise, agreeing that it has strengthened their skills in policy formation.Some students are interested in expanding this section of the course to a one-semester long course.Some students expressed interests in taking courses from the other professors.Survey resultsI enjoyed the different academic perspectives (economic, political, anthropological) Lowest = 1, highest = 10

MeanMedianStandard DeviationDiep Phan Economic Development7.69.02.8Rachel Ellett Intro to Intl Politics8.49.01.6Jennifer EsperanzaIntro to Anthro7.48.02.1Survey resultsThis case study strengthened my skills in policy formationLowest = 1, highest = 10

MeanMedianStandard DeviationDiep Phan Economic Development7.58.02.5Rachel Ellett Intro to Intl Politics7.88.01.0Jennifer EsperanzaIntro to Anthro5.95.52.0Survey resultsI would be interested in expanding this section of the course to a full semester.Lowest = 1, highest = 10MeanMedianStandard DeviationDiep Phan Economic Development6.98.02.8Rachel Ellett Intro to Intl Politics5.25.02.5Jennifer EsperanzaIntro to Anthro4.85.03.1Survey resultsI would be interested in alternating faculty during a semester-long course.Lowest = 1, highest = 10

MeanMedianStandard DeviationDiep Phan Economic Development6.77.02.5Rachel Ellett Intro to Intl Politics6.26.02.3Jennifer EsperanzaIntro to Anthro4.44.53.2Some quotes from studentsDevelopment is much more than only economic development. In approaching it there are many aspects that need to be considered. With this case study, it was possible to analyze all the different aspects and put them together to create policies. If one of those aspects is not considered, then the policies created may not have the expected results.I felt that the interdisciplinary approach and the different perspectives provided helped me contextualize some of the things wed been learning in class. I think its important to look at political and cultural factors to create successful development and Id enjoy a whole course taught on the subject.Some quotes from studentsIt has helped me see how economists might deal with information that is not directly related to the functioning of market dynamics to solve a problem Its very helpful to get lectures from other perspectives It also helps to learn from other students thoughts from the discussions. There are lots of conflicts in a society and its not easy to compromise every class. The scale of local, national, and individuals benefits are very difficult balance and handle.After this exercise, I found that development is much more complex and difficult than what I thought before.

Some quotes from studentsAs an IR major, I enjoyed learning about economic policy formulation, it was very useful to apply textbook theories to a more real life example. Lectures by Professors Ellett and Esperanza definitely helped to look at the case study from different perspectives.Apply more than one view on a subject is necessary. This should be involved more often in class work.The exercise taught us comprehensive thinking. When I made a decision, I had to balance the interest on every aspect.Our own feedbacksThis is a very effective teaching method. It achieved the two goals set out earlier:Inter-disciplinaryAppliedIt can integrate different academic perspectives without the need to create brand-new courses.Note that developing these modules can have high fixed costs however.There must be a good inter-disciplinary team on campus.Not recommended for intro classes?Students gain practice in problem solving, conflict resolution, policy decision making, inter-disciplinary analysis, etc.

15Future improvementsVarious details on the case study can be improved.Students need more structured guidance on how to analyze the issues and to write the report.Inter-disciplinary lectures need to be better coordinated.A teaching note is needed.

Where do we go from here?We will improve and use this module/case study again in the fall of 2011In the long-run, we hope to develop more team-based inter-disciplinary case studies that can be implemented in multiple courses and campuses.We encourage other campuses to also develop inter-disciplinary teams and teaching modules.