uvm expedition course syllabuslearn.uvm.edu/pdf_files/study_abroad/balkans_syllabus2011b.pdf ·...

1 of 6To sign up, visit: http://peaceparkexpeditions.org

Conservation Beyond BordersAn experiential field expedition in the Balkans exploring the prospects of “International Peace Parks.”

COURSE SYLLABUS

OVERVIEWThis course will provide students with a unique learning opportunity, a cross-cultural

experience, an introduction to the “field”, and all the dynamics involved in creating

and managing an International Peace Park. Designed for advanced undergraduates

and graduate students interested in topics including, but not limited to, environmental

studies, community and international development, natural resource management and

peace and conflict studies.

COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. Understand International Peace Parks - how they are created, managed and utilized as a

tool of international diplomacy, conservation, and cross border collaboration.

2. Observe a cross-discipline field - who are the actors? how do they relate?

3. Explore relationships between eco-tourism, international development and conservation.

4. Experience the cultures of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro - through homestays,

trekking on ancient trade footpaths, learning with local students, and enjoying unique

traditions in meals, music and sport.

COURSE FORMAT - PEDAGOGYInternational Peace Park Expeditions utilizes the best of traditional academic teaching

and learning practices, combined with proven experiential learning methodologies

to create a unique, dynamic expedition which will provide students with a strong

understanding of the theory around International Peace Parks, based on observations

of how that theory translates into practice on the ground in the proposed Balkans Peace

Park in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. Course readings and lectures provide the

academic base, guest lectures from subject matter experts working in the field create

the bridge, and first hand experience trekking through the proposed Balkans Peace Park,

crossing the borders, and living among the local people brings that theory into reality

and allows students to experience it for themselves.

Readings - before and throughout the course - with class discussion and student presentation

Lectures - in the field, often at the end of a day of vehicle travel or trekking throughout the Peace Park

Guest Lectures - at different destinations throughout the Peace Park

Interviews - using the Flip HD Video recorder, students will interview Guest Lecturers, Homestay Families, Local Students, etc

Teachable Moments - Instructors will identify these learning opportunities and take advantage of them with brief explanations and Q&A

Experiential Learning - facilitated reflective discussions that elicit learning from student experiences in another culture

Collaborative Group Project - utilizing “new media” technology to convey lessons learned over the course of the expedition in a format that can be posted online on the IPPE website, Facebook, YouTube/Vimeo, Google Earth/Maps, etc.

Individual Writing - daily journal entries and a post-expedition analytical paper

Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro

UVM EXPEDITION

July 6 - 23, 2012

UVM EXPEDITION

COURSE NUMBER ENVS 295

3 Credits

Transferable Credits through UVM

International Peace Park Expeditions

http://peaceparkexpeditions.org

+1.888.577.7485

[email protected]

Todd Walters, M.A.Executive Director,

International Peace Park Expeditions

[email protected]

IPPE EXPEDITION GUIDE

Saleem Ali, Ph.D.Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural

Resources, University of Vermont

Director,

Institute for Environmental Diplomacy and Security

[email protected]

UVM PROFESSOR



Journal - 20%

Presentation of Reading - 10%

Class Participation - 20%

Collaborative Group Project - 25%

Final Analytical Paper - 25%

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Journal Entries (on topics provided) – to be turned in, reviewed by Professors, and returned to students, provide an opportunity for students to capture an individual record of their educational experience, and analyze it through the personal reflection of the writing process. Entries will be utilized to start class discussions, drill deeper on specific topics, identify linkages between the readings, class discussions and field observations, and as a chance to respond privately to guest lecturers.

Topics include: pre-expedition impressions, reflections on guest lectures, in the field observable examples of concepts discussed in the readings, answer to the “Question of the Day” posed by the Instructors, eco-tourism assessments, and a post-expedition summary of the experience and the lessons learned.

Readings - Pre-expedition readings to be completed before you step on the airplane. Required readings to be completed prior to each class discussion. Each student is required to present one reading to the entire team and facilitate the group discussion of that reading; and is expected to participate in the discussion of other readings. Additional readings have been provided that are optional for students who thirst for more detail, nuance or perspective on a particular course topic.

Final Group Project - use Flip HD Video recorders, digital photographs, interviews you conducted and information you learned to work with your group to create a multi-media presentation that can be displayed on the IPPE website and Facebook group (Vimeo/YouTube video) that will select an aspect of International Peace Park theory and portray how it translated into the reality that you experienced on the ground in the proposed Balkans Peace Park

Final Analytical Paper - topic to be approved by the course instructors, to be submitted 2 weeks after the completion of the expedition. This 3-5 page paper for undergrads and 8-10 page paper for graduate students will utilize details from the course readings, lectures, guest lectures and interviews as well as additional research, to analyze a key aspect of the creation, management, promotion of International Peace Parks, and how you observed the proposed Balkans Peace Park is meeting or falling short of those ideals.

A Course Packet will be available online for download and printing prior to course.

REQUIRED READINGSAli, Saleem. “Peace Parks: Conservation and Conflict Resolution. Introduction: A Natural Connection between Ecology and Peace?” MIT Press, 2007.

Ali, Saleem. “Environmental Planning and Cooperative Behaviour: Catalyzing Sustainable Consensus.” Journal of Planning Education and Research 23. Associate of Collegiate Schools of Planning, 2003.

Chester, Charlie. “Conservation beyond Borders.” Washington DC: Island Press, 2007.

Hammill, Anne and Besançon, Charles. 12-13 September 2003. Promoting Conflict Sensitivity in Transboundary Protected Areas: a Role for Peace and Conflict Impact Assessments. Paper prepared for the workshop on Transboundary Protected Areas in the Governance Stream of the 5th World Parks Congress. http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2006/security_promoting.pdf

IUCN. “Conservation without Frontiers: Towards a new Image for the Balkans.” A Strategic Plan for the IUCN South-Eastern European Programme. IUCN, IISD, CEESP. May 2004.

IUCN. “Conserving the Peace: Linking Environment and Security for Sustainable Development.” Programme Report. May 2004.

Kennard, Ann. “The Balkans Peace Park as a paradigm for transboundary conflict resolution.” Conflict and Reconciliation Symposium, held at the Falstad Memorial and Human Rights Centre, near Trondheim, Norway. June 2009.

COURSE SYLLABUS (cont.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Students are expected to

be able to carry their own

backpack through the

mountains on moderately

strenuous hikes up to six

hours in length.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to

complete readings on time,

to participate in discussions,

to listen to all lectures and

ask questions, to conduct

interviews with a wide range

of people, and to embrace as

many cross cultural learning

opportunities as possible.

Students are expected

to abide by rules and

regulations consistent with

UVM study abroad programs,

and to behave as “Citizen

Ambassadors for Peace”

in all interactions while a

student in this course.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS



Letter of Good Intent – Signed by the Commune Head’s and Mayors of Peja, Kosovo, Plav, Montenegro; and Shkodra, Albania.

Mayoral-Phillips, A.J. “Transboundary Areas in Southern Africa: Meeting the Needs of Conservation or Development?” Presented at “The Commons in an Age of Globalisation,” the Ninth Conference of the International Association for the Study of Common Property, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, June 17-21, 2002.

Oliver, Nick and Young, Nigel. “International Peace Park for the Balkans.” Peace Magazine. Bradford University School of Peace Studies, January-March 2005.

Sandwith, T. et al. “Transboundary Protected Areas for Peace and Cooperation.” Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K.: IUCN, 2001.

UNEP. Environment and Security-Transforming risks into cooperation: The Case of Central Asia and South Eastern Europe. 2003.

Walters, J. Todd. “Environmental Peacebuilding: Extending the Collaboration Framework - Lake Titicaca – A Case Study: Peru & Bolivia.” Calgary University Press, 2009 forthcoming.

“Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park-A World Heritage Site.” The Parks Canada Agency. 2005. http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/waterton/natcul/inter_e.asp.

Wolf, A., G. Dabelko and A. Carius. “Water, Conflict, and Cooperation.” Environmental Change, and Security Project Report Issue 10. (2005).

Wolmer, W. “Transboundary Protected Area governance: tensions and paradoxes.” Paper prepared for the workshop on Transboundary Protected Areas in the Governance Stream of the 5th World Parks Congress, Durban, South Africa. 12-13 September 2003.

Young, Antonia. “Cultural Encounters on the Eastern Frontiers of the EU.” Journal of Central and Eastern European Review Volume 2, part l. Bradford, England, 2008. www.ceer.org.uk.

Young, A. and A. Radis. “Peace Parks.” Oxford International Encyclopedia of Peace (2009).

Carius, Alexander and Geoffrey Dabelko. “Institutionalizing Responses to Environment, Conflict, and Cooperation.” Understanding Environment, Conflict, and Cooperation. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme, 2004.

Dalby, Simon. “Environmental Security.” Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2002.

Duffy, Rosaleen. “Peace Parks: The Paradox of Globalization.” Lancaster, UK: Lancaster University, 2001.

Duffy, Rosaleen. Global Governance and Local Dysgovernance: Transfrontier Conservation in Southern Africa. Lancaster, UK: Lancaster University, 2005.

Fakir, Saliem. “Transfrontier Conservation areas: A new dawn for eco-tourism, or a new form of conservation expansionism.” IUCN Policy Think Tank Series: NO.3. Hatfield, South Africa, June 2000.

Klare, Michael T. “Wealth, Resources, and Power: The Changing Parameters of Global Security.” Resource Wars: The New Landscape of Global Conflict. New York: Metropolitan Books, 2001.

Marincic, Srdjan. “Peace Parks in the Balkans.” Paper prepared for the workshop on Transboundary Protected Areas in the Governance Stream of the 5th World Parks Congress, Durban, South Africa. September 12-13, 2003.

Matthew, Richard. “Conserving the Peace: Resources, Livelihoods, and Security”. Geneva and Winnipeg: IISD Press. 2002.

Switzer, Jason. “Environmental Insecurity- Moving from Crisis to Sustainability.” IISD Commentary. May 2002.

Singh, Jaidev and Henk van Houtom. “Post-colonial nature conservation in Southern Africa: same emperors, new clothes?” GeoJournal: 58: 253-263 (2002).

The World Factbook: Central Intelligence Agency. “Serbia and Montenegro.” January 15, 2010.

BIBLIOGRAPHY (cont.)

ADDITIONAL READINGS

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To sign up, visit: http://peaceparkexpeditions.org

COURSE SECTION 1Peace Parks: Definition, Objectives, Historical Evolution of the concept. Theoretical framework of Peace Parks within the Peace Studies, Environmental Studies, and International Relations fields.

(Days 1-2) Shkodra, Albania

READINGS (to be completed prior to arrival)Ali, Saleem – Peace Parks: Conservation and Conflict Resolution. Introduction: A Natural Connection between Ecology and Peace? and Chapter 1: Environmental Peace-Building: Theories and Histories. MIT Press. 2007.

Chester, Charlie. Conservation beyond Borders, Washinton DC: Island Press, 2007. (Ch. 1).

Sandwith, T. et al. 2001. Transboundary Protected Areas for Peace and Cooperation. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K.: IUCN.

Young, A. and A. Radis. “Peace Parks.” Oxford International Encyclopedia of Peace (2009).

GUEST LECTURERSDr. Arieta Troshani – Dean of the University of Shkodra, Professor of Eco-tourism and marketing.

Arian Gjura, Chair of B3P Albania

Eralda Nikshiqi - OSCE – Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Field Assistant.

Alma Shkreli – GTZ – German Technical Cooperation Agency. Vocational Education and Training Expert.

COURSE SECTION 2Traditional Village Life, Cross Cultural Homestays, Village Tour Water powered corn mill, waterfalls, archeological site, traditional water management, sustainable farming and cooking.

(Days 3-4) Village of Thethi, Albania

GUEST LECTURERS Mark Rupa, Forestry Specialist, SNV Albania

Balkans Peace Park Summer Programme Director – visit with students, group discussion with volunteers, lecture from Programme Director.

READING Young, Antonia. June 2008. Cultural Encounters on the Eastern Frontiers of the EU. Bristol, England. Journal of Central and Eastern European Review Volume 2, part l, 2008. www.ceer.org.uk.

COURSE SECTION 3Political History of the Balkans Region and Evolution of the proposed Balkans Peace Park (Days 5-6) TREKKING Thethi, Albania to Plav, Montenegro

GUEST LECTURERSBoris Erg, Director, IUCN South Eastern Europe

Gorica Bojic, Project Specialist – Eco-Tourism, SNV Montenegro,

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL RESOURCESThe World Factbook: Central Intelligence Agency. 2005. “Serbia and Montenegro.”

Marincic, Srdjan. 12-12 September 2003. Peace Parks in the Balkans. Paper prepared for the workshop on Transboundary Protected Areas in the Governance Stream of the 5th World Parks Congress, Durban, South Africa.

READINGSKennard, Ann – The Balkans Peace Park as a paradigm for transboundary conflict resolution. “Conflict and Reconciliation Symposium, held at the Falstad Memorial and Human Rights Centre, near Trondheim, Norway in June 2009”.

Oliver, Nick and Young, Nigel. January-March 2005. “International Peace Park for the Balkans.” Peace Magazine. England, Bradford University School of Peace Studies.

Letter of Good Intent – Signed by the Commune Head’s and Mayors of Peja, Kosovo, Plav, Montenegro; and Shkodra, Albania. http://www.balkanspeacepark.org/web%20images/doc%20letter%20of%20good%20intent.jpg.

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To sign up, visit: http://peaceparkexpeditions.org

COURSE SECTIONS (cont.)COURSE SECTION 5

Peace Park Management Challenges and Best PracticesConservation vs Development and Top-down approach vs Grassroots – is there a balance point? Where?

(Days 9-11) Trekking from Plav, Montenegro to Peja, Kosovo

GUEST LECTURES Fatos Lajci, Founder, Executive Director, Environmentally Responsible Action Group

International Conservation Organization working in the region (IUCN, WWF, etc).

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL RESOURCESDuffy, Rosaleen. 2005. Global Governance and Local Dysgovernance: Transfrontier Conservation in Southern Africa. Lancaster, UK: Lancaster University.

Duffy, Rosaleen. 2001. Peace Parks: The Paradox of Globalization. Lancaster, UK: Lancaster University.

Fakir, Saliem. June 2000. “Transfrontier Conservation areas: A new dawn for eco-tourism, or a new form of conservation expansionism.” IUCN Policy Think Tank Series: NO.3. Hatfield, South Africa.

Singh, Jaidev and van Houtom, Henk. 2002. “Post-colonial nature conservation in Southern Africa: same emperors, new clothes?” GeoJournal: 58: 253-263.

READINGS Mayoral-Phillips, A.J. 2002. Transboundary Areas in Southern Africa: Meeting the Needs of Conservation or Development? Presented at “The Commons in an Age of Globalisation,” the Ninth Conference of the International Association for the Study of Common Property, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, June 17-21, 2002.

“Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park-A World Heritage Site.” 2005. The Parks Canada Agency. http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/waterton/natcul/inter_e.asp.

Wolmer, W. 12-13 September 2003. Transboundary Protected Area governance: tensions and paradoxes. Paper prepared for the workshop on Transboundary Protected Areas in the Governance Stream of the 5th World Parks Congress, Durban, South Africa.


Peace Parks: A Tool for International Diplomacy, Environmental Conservation & Sustainable Development Examining water resource sharing initiatives and their lessons.

(Days 7-8) Montenegro – Plav

GUEST LECTURERSMersudin Ahbadagovic, FOPER, European Forestry Masters Program

Enko Dreshkovic, President, PSK HRID Mountaineering Club

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL RESOURCESCarius, Alexander and Dabelko, Geoffrey, G. 2004. “Institutionalizing Responses to Environment, Conflict, and Cooperation.” Understanding Environment, Conflict, and Cooperation. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme.

Dalby, Simon. 2002. Environmental Security. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

Klare, Michael T, 2001. “Weath, Resources, and Power: The Changing Parameters of Global Security.” Resource Wars: The New Landscape of Global Conflict.New York: Metropolitan Books.

READINGS Wolf, A., G. Dabelko, and A. Carius. 2005. “Water, Conflict, and Cooperation.” Environmental Change, and Security Project Report Issue 10.

Ali, Saleem H. 2003. “Environmental Planning and Cooperative Behaviour: Catalyzing Sustainable Consensus.” Journal of Planning Education and Research 23. Associate of Collegiate Schools of Planning.

Walters, J. Todd. “Environmental Peacebuilding: Extending the Collaboration Framework - Lake Titicaca – A Case Study: Peru & Bolivia” Calgary University Press. 2009 forthcoming.


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Taking the Next Step: Linking Theory, Policy and PracticeSustainable Development Projects, Eco-tourism Initiatives, Environmental Education, Coordinating Legal Frameworks and

their Implementation

(Days 12-14) Kosovo – Peja

GUEST LECTURERS Mayor Ali Berisha – Mayor of Peja, Kosovo, and signatory to the “Letter of Good Intent” to work towards creating the Balkans Peace Park. “Balancing Conservation Goals with Development.”

Ellen Frank, Program Director, Environmentally Responsible Action Group

Burim Leci, Representative, Ministry of Youth, Culture & Sport

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IUCN. May 2004. “Conserving the Peace: Linking Environment and Security for Sustainable Development.” Programme Report.

Switzer, Jason. May 2002. “Environmental Insecurity- Moving from Crisis to Sustainability.” IISD Commentary.

Matthew, Richard. 2002. Conserving the Peace: Resources, Livelihoods, and Security. Geneva and Winnipeg: IISD Press.

READINGIUCN. May 2004. “Conservation without Frontiers- Towards a new Image for the Balkans.” A Strategic Plan for the IUCN South-Eastern European Programme.IUCN, IISD, CEESP. 2004.

UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program). 2003. Environment and Security-Transforming risks into cooperation: The Case of Central Asia and South Eastern Europe.

Hammill, Anne and Besançon, Charles. 12-13 September 2003. Promoting Conflict Sensitivity in Transboundary Protected Areas: a Role for Peace and Conflict Impact Assessments. Paper prepared for the workshop on Transboundary Protected Areas in the Governance Stream of the 5th World Parks Congress. http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2006/security_promoting.pdf.

COURSE SECTION 7

Individual Student Consultations and Time to work on Final Group Project (Day 15-16) - Trekking to TriBorder Peak, Lake Komani Ferry, Return to Shkodra, Albania

LECTURE Todd Walters - Executive Director, International Peace Park Expeditions

READING Walters, J. Todd. “Experiential Peacebuilding”. Oxford International Encyclopedia of Peace. 2009. http://www.peaceparkexpeditions.com/experiential-peacebuilding-twalters.pdf.

FINAL STUDENT PROJECT PRESENTATIONS AND CELEBRATION DINNER

International Peace Park Expeditions http://peaceparkexpeditions.org +1.888.577.7485 [email protected]

To sign up, visit:

http://peaceparkexpeditions.org

uvm expedition course syllabuslearn.uvm.edu/pdf_files/study_abroad/balkans_syllabus2011b.pdf ·...

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