The US-Brazil
Consortium is a service learning and public scholarship exchange
program that will address environmental and urban poverty issues
in the US and Brazil. The project emphasizes problem-based
learning, community engagement and reflective practice. The consortia
program will facilitate student and faculty exchanges during the
fall semester over a three-year period beginning in the fall of
2003. Participation in this program is open to both undergraduate
and master students and there is funding to assist up to twelve
Penn State student exchanges beginning in the fall semester of 2003.
Sustainable development has emerged at the paradigm
to address ecological concerns in urban communities. The Consortium
brings these issues front and center by challenging students to
develop transdisciplinary approaches to improving the quality of
life and health of poor urban communities. A student-centered
curriculum will emphasize problem-based learning, community capacity
building, and participatory action research. The institutions
for this consortium were chosen for their expertise in urban poverty,
participatory planning and design, and a proven track record in
service learning curricula. The knowledge and skills garnered
through the program will prepare students for careers with international
agencies and NGOs that focus on urban growth and change.
For more information, please contact Caru
Bowns. |
