Globalization and Sustainable Development in Latin America

Introduction

Globalization and Sustainable Development in Latin America is a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program funded by the National Science Foundation. This intensive eight-week summer program will be based in Mérida, Mexico and housed at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán.

Objectives

The primary objective of the REU program is to provide a diverse group of students with the opportunity to work collaboratively on inter-disciplinary research in an international setting. Students will learn how to design, conduct and report applied field-based research. Furthermore, in carrying out their research, students will gain a first-hand appreciation of the social and environmental problems associated with globalization in Latin America. Students will also be challenged to devise potential solutions for social and environmental problems associated with globalization.

Location and Program Facilities

The program will be based in Mérida, Mexico. Due to its location and history, Yucatán offers a unique living laboratory in which to gain hands-on experience studying the problems associated with globalization in Latin America. The program will be housed at the School of Anthropology of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. In addition to providing program facilities the university will also provide support from its faculty and oversee home-stay arrangements for program participants.

Targeted Students

The SFR Program will target high-achieving undergraduate students at three institutions: Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, and Augustana College. In addition, a limited number of students from other institutions will be selected to participate in the program. Students who have completed their sophomore or junior years will be selected competitively based on their academic and personal achievements.

Schedule And Timetable

During Summer 2006, students will participate in an intensive eight-week program from June 6 until July 31. The REU Program is comprised of three components. During the first 10 days, participants will attend daily lectures and take part in excursions and other “field-based” activities designed to expose them to the reality of globalization in urban and rural areas of Yucatán. Initially, students will focus on the culture, history, environment and economy of the study area. Subsequently, students will turn their attention to the theory and reality of globalization and sustainable development using Yucatán as a living laboratory. During Year Three of the program, students will carry out an integrated, field-based assessment of sustainable urban development in Mérida and nearby communities. Available research areas include:

• Land use and urban sprawl
• Urban landscaping and household micro-climate
• Globalization and the generation and distribution of solid waste
• Analysis of water quality
• Housing deprivation
  
• Economic impacts of informal sector

During the final stage of the program, students will work collaboratively to complete data analysis and write up their results as a research paper suitable for publication. Students will also present their preliminary results formally at a public forum sponsored by WMU and the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Upon return to the United States, students will be encouraged to present their research at an academic conference during the fall semester.

Stipend, Transportation and Homestay Arrangements

Students will receive a stipend of $2500 for their participation. In addition, the program will cover round-trip transportation expenses from the United States to Mérida, Mexico and provide homestay (food and lodging) arrangements with local families for eight weeks in Yucatán.