Program

The ISDSI is especially oriented toward experiential learning and takes students on focused field studies throughout Thailand. ISDSI has become recognized for its development of an innovative "place-based" curriculum which uses specific cultural and ecological landscapes to teach about the most important issues in sustainable development. ISDSI runs courses covering the diversity of the development challenges in Asia-from remote mountain tribal villages to tropical islands to urban mega cities.

Course Offerings

Foundations: Thai Language and Society: focuses on language learning (which continues during the remainder of the semester), as well as seminars on Thai culture, history, urban development, and society. Location: Chiang Mai.

Ethnic People and Natural Resources: This course explores the ethno-ecological relationship between people and forests. The course is located in upland forest-dwelling communities in the mountains of Northern Thailand, learning from and working with Ba'ken'yaw (Karen) ethnic people.

Human Rights and the Environment: Rivers, Dams and Local Struggles: Considers the impact of development on local communities, and how people's organizations and NGOs respond to and interact with key development issues. Location: Northeast and Northern Thailand (Ubon Ratchathani and Phrea provinces).

Coastal Resource Management in Southeast Asia : Mangrove Ecology and Costal Zones (Biology/Sociology): A representative section of the Thai coastline is studied for its specific development challenges in a coastal zone. Focus is on development pressures faced by small scale fishing and mangrove/coastal ecosystems, and how local communities and NGOs respond to and are a part of the development process. Location: Southern Thailand (Krabi and Trang provinces).

Course Credits

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Contact Us

For further information, please contact professor Ronald Hoksbergen, Economics Department.