ECON 301 - Study Abroad: Economic Development, Tourism, and Sustainability in Costa Rica

3 credits.
This course is offered in conjunction with study abroad in Costa Rica. This course, with related travel experience, provides students with an overview of Costa Rica and Central America, while allowing them to experience life in a developing world. Students are immersed in the rich culture, while they learn about the country’s economy, key port industries (coffee, sugar, bananas, pineapples, and palm oil), role of trade, and the importance of ecotourism as a catalyst for development and environmental protection. Costa Rica is a role model of sustainable development. As such, the country’s focus on environmental sustainability, energy independence, rainforest protection, and use of green GDP as an alternate measure of productivity are key themes. The course begins online and continues during the travel portion of the program.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor required
Corequisite(s): None