FIRST YEAR SEMINAR
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
Intercultural Understanding within the Seminar
Lifelong Learning within the Seminar
Written and Oral Expression within the Seminar
Initial Reflections:
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
22 September 1998
The first year seminar Environmental Issues: An African Perspective
interested me because I was in Zimbabwe last
summer. I worked with researchers who were attempting to calculate the Black Rhino population in Hwange National
Park. Instead of using traditional radio collars, they take photographs of the animals spoor (footprints).
This acts as a fingerprint to identify individual animals.
I was very excited to be involved in this research as it is the first
step in any program that may be developed within the park. Before any plan for conservation or protection
is proposed, the policy makers must collect data about the numbers and locations of each species in the park. Another
topic I briefly discussed with the researchers was the introduction of ecotourism. By showing local people
that they can make a profit when tourists pay to see animals in their natural environment, we can increase conservation
efforts.
As a result of this experience, my goal is to learn more about controversial
environmental issues and the impacts of ecotourism. I must be honest and admit that I have no prior background
knowledge of global environmental issues. However, I would like to investigate and learn about the social,
political, and economic aspects that tie into environmental issues. As far as any beliefs I have coming into the
course, I hold simply one. I believe that animals have intrinsic value in and of themselves. It may
be true that human beings have the ability to reason. Some then believe this entitles us to rule the animals;
however, I do not look at it in that way. I believe that if we do indeed have "superior intellect,"
then we have the responsibility to protect and respect other species.
I feel completely ignorant regarding the content of this course.
However, I feel confident that after reading and discussing various issues in class I will be able to formulate
my own opinions on topics.
Reflections Upon Completion:
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
20 November 1998
It is a discouraging feeling to reach the end, yet
feel as though you have not begun to crack the surface. This is how I feel after ten weeks of my first year seminar
course. It is not that I did not learn anything. In fact, I have further developed my social responsibility, intercultural
understanding, lifelong learning, and career readiness. However, after tackling some global and African environmental
problems, I now realize the complexity of environmental issues.
I recognize that at the beginning of this class I was
very ignorant of the complexity of environmental issues. We really only touched upon the basics. I now appreciate
the enormity of the problems and the intricate mechanisms that need to be developed to approach the destruction
of the environment. I believe it is everyone's social responsibility to make
an effort to be aware of environmental issues.
Because the emphasis of this course was on Africa, I think that I have gained greater intercultural understanding. For example, because
of differences in culture, we learned that the best solutions are plans that are best suited for the specific region
and give the local people the means to become custodians of the environment. The solution is not simply for the
developed nations to come in and take over. This forced me to assess my views and remind myself to stop and think
about issues from everyone's perspective.
As a result of taking the class Global Environmental Issues: An African Perspective, I expanded
my lifelong learning because I was introduced to contrasting viewpoints and data, then asked to evaluate them. This was often
in the form of a paper, so I also developed my technical writing skills. Examining various topics helped me form my own views on different issues. I found that when taking a
position on a controversial issue, it is just as relevant to understand your opponent's
arguments. In addition, I learned to distinguish the strengths and weaknesses in each argument. We also addressed
different arguments through discussion in class, developing oral expression. I must admit, this is a skill area that I need to work on. I enjoy hearing various viewpoints,
yet I tend not to add my own. When put on the spot I have difficulty expressing my ideas.
A common theme that I found throughout the course, or
a common mentality, is that people try to get problems 'out of their sight,' and out of their country; but pollution
of the world will affect everyone. It is a global village because pollution is not confined within borders. There
will always be a price to pay for externalities. But, we don't think before we act. People don't want to take preventative
measures, but would rather wait until the problem affects them directly. This disturbs me. As a result of this,
I think that I would like to continue to wrestle with issues and formulate strategies for solutions to environmental
problems. This may influence future courses that I take and my career
plans.
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