Egeo 417: Sustainable Environment in Hokkaido, Japan (3 credits)

August 3 – 17 in Hokkaido, Japan

Prereq. egeo324, egeo423, or permission of instructor.  Hokkaido, Japan is undergoing fundamental change as it passes into the post-industrial age.  First colonized by large numbers of Japanese in the late 19^th  century, this part of Japan has both the scars of its recent industrialization and the remnants of a once vibrant environment.  As industrial activity retreats to more economical locations in the southern parts of Japan an opportunity has arisen for creating a sustainable environment through restoration of natural habitat, fisheries, forests, and wildlife while giving the indigenous Ainu population a greater voice in this process.  The purpose of this study tour is to visit with Japanese experts to learn about the impacts of past industrial age activity and recent attempts by a newly ascendant group of Japanese scholars to heal past wounds and create an environment sustainable into future centuries.  Specifically we will be visiting with scholars at Muroran Institute of Technology, then traveling throughout Hokkaido to visit the following types of locations for discussions with local experts: Brown Bear research center, coastal kelp restoration project, indigenous village, forest restoration site, nuclear power plant and wind powered generator, scallop restoration and monitoring site.

Costs to be covered by the students include (1) normal summer session tuition and fees for 3 credits, (2) a special fee of $2,258 which will cover the cost of the students travel, lodging, and meals while in Japan, and (3) airfare to Narita International Airport in Tokyo covered by students.  Students will purchase their own roundtrip airline ticket to Japan, and must arrive by the afternoon Sunday August 10th at Narita International Airport. Pre-course meeting and orientation will be announced at which time students will be notified of the flight that the instructor will be taking.  Students are encouraged to join him.  If they choose to fly on different flight, they must notify the instructor well in advance of their flight number and arrival time. $400 deposit due by the first day of summer session June 24 to the Summer Session office.  A minimum of 8 students is required to offer this course.  Limited space, maximum of 12 students. Pre-course evening orientation to be announced.  For more information email Patrick Buckley at patrick@cc.wwu.edu or visit his web page www.wwu.edu/~patrick.  August 3-17.