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Sustainability Studies Abroad in Cuba

 
  • Details and Cost

    About the Program

    The program to Cuba has been suspended for Winter 2024 and is expected to resume for Winter 2025.

    For a number of reasons, Cuba represents a wonderful case study for the value of using the natural history, arts, media and cultural traditions as a means of encouraging citizens to adopt environmentally sustainable practices. Since the 1990s, Cuba has been in the unique situation of being forced to address sustainable agricultural and environmental practices. Given the pressure to increase tourism to keep money flowing into Cuba, the need to reform industrial farming practices, and the need to address failing infrastructure after the end of Soviet assistance (called the Special Period), Cuba has made a number of dramatic decisions to move toward sustainability. 

    As governments around the world have found, laws and incentives may do a lot to encourage changes in daily choices toward sustainability, long-term change must use existing arts to make sustainability a part of culture. Working with the University of Havana Geography Department, as well as Artes Escenicas Cubanas (Performing Arts organization) and Cuban writers about the environment, the class will explore the complexities of sustainability with an emphasis on the role of humanities in a global context with hands-on experience. 

    Highlights include field trips to the following sites

    • The Bay of Pigs
    • The Cienaga de Zapata
    • Organic Farms
    • Rio Almendares (Havana's primary water source)  
    • Vinales and Pinar del Rio

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    Location Havana, Cuba
    Program Type Faculty-Led Program
    Program Term Winter
    Program Dates Winter DatesTBD
    Language of Instruction English
    Budget View Budget
    Living Arrangements Residence-style accommodation and homestays
    Additional Information Faculty-Led study abroad programs may require group travel. Please reach out to your IAP Coordinator prior to making any travel arrangements.
    Program Housing Statement: Stony Brook University is required to comply with the housing policies of the host country, partner institution and/or hotel/hostel. These policies may include requirements such as sex-based housing placement.

     Requirements

    GPA 2.0 or higher
    Application Deadline Oct. 1 
    Candidates may be interviewed to determine their qualifications for participating and representing Stony Brook University abroad.
  • Academic Information

    Course Information

    SUS 316: Cuba and Sustainability - 3 credits

    For students following the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) this program fulfills HUM, GLO, and EXP+. For students following the Diversified Education Curriculum (DEC) this program fulfills DEC G.



    Syllabus - Subject to change

    Academic Policies

    • Credits earned on this program will calculate toward a student's GPA at Stony Brook University. Non-SBU students are advised to check their home university policy on grade and credit transfer.
    • Students following the Stony Brook Curriculum (SBC) may request for GLO and EXP+ in addition to requirements fulfilled by their coursework.

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