UTK Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Challenges in Guatemala
Spring Break 2024
This spring semester course, with a required embedded trip to Guatemala over Spring Break, will provide information about sustainable agriculture and socio-economic development in the developing world by exploring social and environmental factors that contribute to the current conditions in Guatemala.
Course Dates: March 15-23, 2025
Application Deadline: October 31, 2024
Course: AGNR 491, 3 Credits
Course Description
This course focuses on agriculture and natural resource use in developing countries, focusing on Guatemala, and frames this focus with discussions of contemporary issues facing agriculture on a global scale, emphasizing global hunger, food security, and natural resource degradation.
This spring semester course, with a required embedded trip to Guatemala over Spring Break, will provide information about sustainable agriculture and socio-economic development in the developing world by exploring social and environmental factors that contribute to the current conditions in Guatemala. We will explore issues related to Guatemalan food crops, their consumption and production challenges, as well as the impacts on the environment. Through this we will gain a better understanding of the livelihoods and situation of rural people in Guatemala.
The primary goal of the course is to inform students about international agriculture and natural resource use, challenging them to think critically and independently about how they relate to development. Additionally, this course will help generate global citizens who are more aware and conversant on important contemporary challenges in global food, agriculture, and natural resource systems.
This course will weave together natural and social sciences in international development contexts. It will also provide opportunities for students to improve didactic skills related to group moderation, facilitation, presentation, and external communications.
Information will be presented by the instructors, guest speakers, and through presentations by the students in the weeks prior to Spring Break. During Spring Break students will participate in a study abroad program to Guatemala. After Spring Break students will continue their research and provide presentations on their experiences.
Program Highlights
- La Azotea Coffee Plantation and Chicacao Coffee tour
- Hike up active Pacaya volcano
- Mangrove, salt production, and sea turtle tour
- A visit to the Clinica Ezell to see a nutrition garden
- A short hike up the sides of the hill of Lake Atitlan
- Service project at Ninos del Lago Environmental School
- Visit Kemajachel Women’s group to see the process of collecting natural materials and making mayan cloth
- And much, much more.
Course
AGNR 491: International Experience in Agriculture and Natural Resources (3 credits)
Academic Information
Students will be enrolled in 3 credits of AGNR 491 during the Spring Session. Successful completion of the course includes full participation in the Guatemala abroad experience.
Students should meet with their academic advisors to ensure they meet eligibility requirements and that the course is degree applicable.
- Open to all majors with preference given to students in the Herbert College of Agriculture
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA at time of application and until program departure
- At least Freshman standing
- Must be in Good Academic Standing and Good Conduct Standing with The University of Tennessee.
- Must attend all program meetings
2024 program costs are still being determined and subject to change. An estimated program fee based on 2023 program costs is provided at this time.
| Summer 1 Budget | ||
|---|---|---|
| Budget item | Estimated Costs | |
| Program Fee | $1,220.00 | |
| Global Programs Admin Fee | $175.00 | |
| Billable subtotal: | $1,395.00 | |
| Estimated Roundtrip Transportation from Knoxville | $1,500.00 | |
| Passport | $165.00 | |
| Estimated Additional Meals | $250.00 | |
| Estimated Personal Expenses | $250.00 | |
| Non-billable subtotal: | $2,165.00 | |
| Total: | $3,560.00 | |
