UA Costa Rica

Students will learn about Afro-Caribbean Costa Rican Cultural development in order to prompt an awareness of Afro - Latin and Afro - Caribbean culture and experiences.
Students will: (1) Emphasize the importance of history to understand black culture in present day in Costa Rica, Latin America and the Caribbean. (2) Discuss present day issues - with special consideration of contemporary issues, such as, poverty, migration, the development of human rights and sustainable development in relation to Caribbean communities. (3) Discuss the different aspects of Costa Rica’s black heritage, cultural evolution, such as social and political organization, economy, traditions, festivities, and people of influence. (4) Introduce the Caribbean indigenous community dynamics to complement the discussion of social constructs of the “other” in the Caribbean landscape, space and different historical periods. (5) Explore specific socio-cultural profiles – for example, gender relations within Costa Rican Caribbean culture, and the issue of violence in the city of Limon.

This course is an introduction to the zoology of terrestrial vertebrates in Costa Rica. Students will gain insight about various biological characteristics of the groups of land vertebrates in the country. Costa Rica has an immensely rich animal biodiversity, that has been influenced by both North American and South American fauna, and is a world-renowned hot spot for animal research and conservation. Emphasis will be given to the study of Costa Rican species, but others will be discussed as well.

They are birds, described by the Costa Rican based naturalist Alexander F. Skutch. This course will introduce the major topics in ornithology, answering questions about birds: their origin, their lives and ways. With more than 900 species of birds, Costa Rica is a unique country as an introductory Neotropical ornithological and birding experience. The course focuses on the features that make Neotropical avifauna a highlight among bird studies, including their evolutionary relationships, the very high species diversity in the Neotropics, and the natural history of Costa Rican birds. Students will be introduced to the main groups of birds present in Costa Rica, their behavior, biodiversity and conservation threats. Throughout the course the students will be immersed in hands on experiences that include field work to observe bird biodiversity, analyze bird behavior and understand bird habitat use. These experiential field activities to observe and monitor birds in their natural habitat, will allow students to learn and master skills to identify them, and participate in bird reports that aid in science and conservation.

This is course is designed for the beginner to help the student find personal meaning in works of art and develop a better understanding of the nature and validity of art as visual and space language (line, shape, volume, light, space, time, motion, color, and texture). This means that you will learn about the essentials of art through experience and experimentation. Through determination and an open mind, you will increase your creativity and discover more interesting ways to understand and judge the visual arts. Emphasis is on the diversity of form and content in artwork. With willingness to work and an open mind, your experiences in this class will be memorable in a positive way. Upon completion, students should understand the basics of art materials used and have a basic overview of the history of art and how art represents its society, especially, Latin American culture.

The objective of this class is for students to develop tools to experience, explore and document culture through photography. Through this process students will consciously study and record their current surroundings from a more socially and historically aware perspective, as opposed to a superficial observation. The basic functions of a camera are studied in order to have an efficient control when taking a photograph in any scenario, as well as the fundamentals of digital image manipulation. Additionally, students will reflect on the definition of culture, as well as the ethics involved in capturing images of other people and their surroundings. Through this process, students will be able to approach cultural exploration while taking into consideration creative as well as the human aspect of photographic creation.

This foundation course is designed to introduce and enhance students' knowledge of the fundamentals of photography. Through exploratory and practical knowledge students willdiscover the importance and impact of a technical methodology within a conceptual framework to deliver effective visual communication with a viewing public. The basics of image creation will be properly understood and polished by students, who will also gain the confidence to apply their newfound knowledge to a variety of photographic circumstances and mediums. We will cover a broad range of fundamental principles, from camera control to composition and creativity. The basic photography skills that will be seen shall provide students with a foundation to grow upon, while strengthening their capabilities to take on photography projects related to their individual needs, whether practical or purely expressive, while emphasizing issues related to nature and ecology. In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems with the goal of understanding its importance and the resources that make it unique. Terms like “Exposure Triangle” “Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO” and the importance of photography in the processes of environmental conservation will be seen in the course. All the basic needs of using a camera as well as the documentation of the direct damages of development and its corresponding consumerism.

This course will provide the basic tools to produce video projects for a wide array of purposes: from social media posts to fiction or documentary pieces, taking into account the different stages of audiovisual production. The objective of this course is for students to create a project which reflects both an original idea and a clear understanding of the practical and conceptual aspects of video creation. The course will enable students to develop an original screenplay, define and organize the required resources to produce the project, record it and edit it. Technical aspects (such as camera, lighting and sound) will be studied theoretically and then put into practice in the campus’ film production facilities. Additionally, the student’s projects will be partially produced during class hours in collaboration with their classmates.

Through collaborative and participatory dynamics, this studio course looks into conceptual and practice-based approaches in public art. We adopt chance operations, design thinking, disruptive strategies, and artistic methodologies - towards that which is not yet. Art practice is viewed as a process, a way of thinking, engaging, and experiencing in different contexts. The course is divided into a theoretical and experimental phase, followed by a design process, which leads to the execution of a collaborative public work of art. It can be through mural painting, public intervention or other forms of public art and new genres, relational, site-specific, etc. The experimental, design and execution phases are non-linear and intertwined.

This is an introductory course where the concepts and applications of genetics are analyzed. The course applies the use of basic theoretical-practical fundamentals in genetics to address problems in various fields. Students will familiarize with the Central Dogma of molecular biology, understand the processes of gene expression, and analyze mutation effects. It is a course focused in analyzing recent research topics and discussing controversial issues related to genetics. It has an essential practical complement by means of a field tour for the collection and analysis of samples. This will allow the development of several laboratory processes where the student acquires the skills to apply basic molecular techniques such as DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electrophoresis. In addition, they will be able to use specialized software for the analysis of DNA sequences. Through the analysis of specialized literature, the aim is to broaden the knowledge about the diversity of applications of genetics in different fields. During the course, we also develop skills in group work and leadership, as well as assertive communication in an oral and written form.

The class aims to develop the personal creativity and its uses for leadership and communication; as well, as the understanding of different leadership theories in order to become better leaders and be able to interact and manage with different groups. This course is designed to give the student the concepts and tools for the understanding of the art of creativity and leadership for a better communication, social interaction, and personal development. The course will explore concepts such as human behavior, leadership, creativity, etc. while students propose ideas through assignments to attain the objectives of the class.

This course will introduce the student to basic concepts and tools for the Design Thinking (DS) process. The course will review the process's six stages to successfully build new entrepreneurships based on DS: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test and Implement. The student will develop skills to lead projects in their personal and professional life. It also helps keep all the students' ducks in a row with some methodical planning by showing different strategies and techniques such as the tree problem, the five whys, customer journey map, empathy map, brainstorming, role storming, mockups, pitch elevator, and others. In addition, students will develop organizational skills to improve project management and the impact of building good communication habits.

This course explores basic concepts and tools of international marketing, for the growth of business abroad. The course ́s design seeks to prepare the student for the professional and business labor market with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary to meet the current requirements of international markets. The study plan shows proposals that respond to these opportunities and therefore to the current demand in terms of increasing products and services outside the borders. The student will be able to understand the needs of people based on the trends of the national, regional, and global markets, to propose high-impact commercial and sales strategies. Students will take advantage of the experience of being in a foreign country as a window to view some marketing processes (what kind of process?) from a different perspective and propose ideas through work to achieve the objectives of the class.

We are currently on an unsustainable economic path. Our Earth is at risk of failing to provide the life support systems that we, as humans, need to live on this planet (clean air, water, food, among others). An increasing population with more financial means is putting enormous pressure on natural resources. More money means more consumption, more production, and ever-increasing use of natural resources.

The course will combine both theoretical concepts and practical applications of operating in a global environment. And, because issues in this environment change rapidly, we will focus on current events through use of national and international publications. This is a practice-oriented course designed to help students achieve an understanding of how commerce is conducted in an increasingly global supply chain. We will utilize case study, discussion of current events, student research and class discourse to understand the key mechanisms of international trade. By the end of the course, you will walk away with a clear knowledge of how business is conducted in the international forum, and have further developed basic analytical skills essential to good business case analysis. It is my hope that you will gain not just the knowledge, but also a practical understanding of the issues and solutions leading to success in international business.

The Latin American region is today in a particular dynamic, where growth and development go hand in hand with economic, social and environmental phenomena. Where the understanding of the current Latin American context, involves the analysis of these elements, and also identify the present characteristics in terms of aspects such as: geography, migration, trade, among many others, present in the countries of the region. For this course, all these elements will be addressed in an integral way through case studies, aimed at developing a clear idea of the current reality of the Latin American countries

This course will introduce the student to basic concepts and tools for project management (PM) process. The course will review the 5 stages of the process to manage a project successfully: Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Control, and Close. The student will develop skills to lead projects in their personal and professional life.
This course helps keeping all the students ducks in a row with some methodical planning, by showing different strategies and techniques such as Objectives Key Results, Gantt charts, and Communications Plan. The expert will pass his personal philosophy to the student: more organization leads to improved well-being and the impact of building good communication habits.

This course provides the student with an introduction to the concept of sustainable development and specifically consumption and production (SCP)1 recognized by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012 as being "one of three general objectives and indispensable requirements for sustainable development [and that] fundamental changes in the way societies produce and consume are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development". It was at this conference that the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP)2 was adopted. This was followed in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)3, goal 12 of which being Sustainable Consumption and Production. The course draws on the resources of the 10YFP in support of the standalone SDG #12, and specifically its information and knowledge platform on SCP to enable stakeholders to share tools, initiatives and best practices, as well as data, materials and experiences that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. The latter having provided us with both new challenges and new opportunities. Likewise, the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Glasgow in 2021, brought the world’s attention to our being on the cusp of irreversible and catastrophic climate change.

The course uses transformative mediation, as well as their respective methodologies, in order to equip the student with the tools in conflict mediation processes and has the ability to mediate a conflict between two or more parties. Students must perform an analysis and simulation of cases where they could have intervened with a mediation process

This course introduces the field of intercultural communication enhances the development of intercultural competence and explores implications and applications towards shaping one’s cultural identity and worldview. The course also examines theoretical aspects of culture and worldview; communicative and intercultural competence; intercultural contact and entry processes; feelings and emotions, issues of diversity and commonalities among human beings; and implications and applications for work settings and for oneself as a member of multicultural groups. This course is a part of the social psychology, cultural-historical psychology, developmental psychology, and cognitive psychology fields.

This course will introduce the student to basic concepts and tools of the Communications for Development (C4D) process and social leaders’ skills. The course will review the 5 steps of the process to building social projects: Analysis, Strategic Design, Development and
Testing, Implementation, and Monitoring & Evaluation. The student will develop skills to lead projects with lasting positive impact.

Water is a vital resource for human beings, but it is a limited resource that have been degraded and the demand for this resource is growing. Freshwater ecology, also known as limnology, is a course to help us understand the physical, chemical and biological properties of inland aquatic environments (wetlands, lakes, rivers, mangroves, and reservoirs). It aims to give emphasis to the problems and conservation efforts for water resources, for that we will learn methods for monitoring aquatic environments with field trips and laboratory work.

This course will provide the basic tools to produce video projects for a wide array of purposes: from social media posts to fiction or documentary pieces, taking into account the different stages of audiovisual production. The objective of this course is for students to create a project which reflects both an original idea and a clear understanding of the practical and conceptual aspects of video creation. The course will enable students to develop an original screenplay, define and organize the required resources to produce the project, record it and edit it. Technical aspects (such as camera, lighting and sound) will be studied theoretically and then put into practice in the campus’ film production facilities. Additionally, the student’s projects will be partially produced during class hours in collaboration with their classmates.

Costa Rica is a Neotropical country with an immensely rich biological diversity and an unique representative area to study terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems present in their Pacific and Caribbean slopes. Along this class, students gain insight into basic ecological principles and concepts and explore a variety of ecosystems present in the tropics, their animals, plants and fungi, and the multiple and complex ecological interactions that can be found here. Shrewdness on the different interactions between biotic and abiotic factors in tropical environments, while considering human effects on tropical ecosystems, is achieved.

This course examines different agriculture and food production systems from an ecological perspective, considering the systemic model and integrated agroecological management, to offer answers that promote sustainability and regenerativity for food production systems
design. After studying the fundamentals and most important ecological processes, diverse applications to agricultural systems will be analyzed within the framework of the imitation of natural systems, including ancestral and novel technologies and methods. The elements of consumption and production that affect current food production systems and the production and management of energy from alternative sources will also be analyzed and students will explore their own role in the food production system, and creation of new solutions. After this course, students will show capacities, skills and attitudes important for the design and development of regenerative projects in agroecology and sustainable food production. Field trips will provide opportunities for direct observation and interaction in different system designs and their particular operation in Costa Rica, many times applicable to international realities. This course usually interacts with other CIPES courses such as Tropical Botany and Sustainable Development, among others; the course demands extra class reading and preparation for lectures, outside activities, and assignments.

This course emphasizes the vast possibilities offered by biotechnology for sustainable development through the study of specific cases in Costa Rica. In this sense, Costa Rica, despite its comparatively small geographical size and population, has consolidated as the most advanced country in the region when it comes to biotechnological research. This course will explore the reasons why and correlate them with the role of sustainable development in this process. Fundamental and applied concepts of biotechnology will be explored and discussed in terms of life, environmental and social sciences. This course will be heavily based on the study of cases in which biotechnology has become into the best solution for social and environmental situations through the case analysis, and the participation of companies, associations and experts related to this technology. Therefore, the purpose of this course is to provide to any professional with an interest in biotechnology a sense in what is biotechnology and how can co-exist with sustainable development from the experiences in Costa Rica.

This course is an introduction to understanding climate change, its causes, consequences and effects it has on natural plant and animal populations in the whole planet, including humans.

This course is aimed to highlight the importance of conservation biology in managing endangered marine species by emphasizing in recent conservation efforts of umbrella species such as sea turtles and sharks in the Pacific of Costa Rica. Marine ecosystems of the
eastern tropical Pacific provide a baseline source for species of high commercial interest in satisfying humans demand for food worldwide. However, numerous marine species are threatened by unsustainable human activities, such as overfishing and habitat destruction. We will develop a critical understanding of conservation biology, deepening in the general concept of biodiversity in species and ecosystems. We will analyze current case studies that focus on scientific investigations to answer critical life history aspects, recovery programs, species management, community conservation actions, and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The students will also be introduced to a wide range of practical activities by visiting field stations and natural laboratories in Costa Rica.

This course will provide the students with an introduction to Costa Rican ecotourism. It will offer the chance to analyze this dynamic process from different socio-economic perspectives. It will discuss the economic importance of ecotourism for the Costa Rican national economy, the stimulation of grassroots, community ecotourism projects, and the role of ecotourism in securing environmental protection. The advances and limitations of ecotourism will be explored. Students will be encouraged to develop their own conclusions about how ecotourism can help to secure economic, environmental, and participatory alternatives in order to advance the Costa Rican sustainable development process.

This course is an introduction to the study of major environmental problems and social issues confronting modern society. Students will examine ecosystems, population patterns and dynamics; use and misuse of resources; population and environmental quality; environmental citizenship, economic incentives and Costa Rican initiatives in eco-tourism. Introduce the student to environmental problems and their socio-economic implications in Latin America, using Costa Rica as an example. Study current and actual cases about conservation and management of biodiversity and wildlife. Visit different scenarios where the relationship between environment and society will be studied. As well the course provides an overview of environmental impact assessment to design, evaluate, and replicate sustainable projects and programs.

This course is an introduction to the biology of marine mammals with emphasis of the species from Costa Rica, including whales, dolphins, manatees, fur seals and sea lions. Topics covered include the evolution, physiology, behavior, and ecology of marine mammals. Particular attention is paid to current topics in the management and conservation of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in Costa Rica within marine protected areas or with local coastal communities and stranding phenomena. Fieldwork will focus on basic ecological monitoring techniques and primary care on marine mammals’ stranding.

The use of biological-molecular tools has revolutionized research in marine sciences in recent decades. These approaches offer extraordinary potential to address ecological issues in the marine environment, ranging from species identification and deciphering reproductive behaviors to understanding the population structure and genetic connectivity among populations. This course focuses on the use of molecular markers based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to highlight the importance of conservation genetics and the implications on a global scale to manage marine species in danger of extinction. Activities and conferences will be carried out at the Center for International Programs and Sustainability and the Molecular Biology Laboratory (BIOMOL).

The course analyzes the ethical, ecological and design principles proposed by Permaculture as well as its basic techniques. The analysis is addressed as the “permanent culture” (and beyond) and as the sustainable and resilient, intelligent, and regenerative design process, emphasizing its applications to urban and field systems, including intangible energies in order to develop competences, values and skills to improve our world environmental and socioeconomic conditions.

This is a course that integrates theoretical knowledge, history, and trends on a national and global scale, with practical activities, which allow people to understand the edges of sustainable development. The student develops the ability to integrate social, economic, and environmental aspects to analyze and solve issues, considering the goals of sustainable development. The course includes discussion of current events, case studies, hands-on activities, and field trips. Together, all these experiences sensitize the students to build a better world, not only on a large scale, but also, and even more important, in their personal ways.

The oceans occupy about 71% of the Earth’s surface and tropical seas hold the highest ecosystem and species diversity on it. In this course we will introduce the basic concepts of tropical oceanography, marine ecology, and marine biology, with emphasis on the interaction between species, between species and their environment and between ecosystems. We will also learn about human environmental impact, and the utility, management, and conservation of the ecosystems.

This course will explore and analyze the intersectionality between gender, socio-economic discrimination, and sustainable development. There will be a special emphasis on the Latin American region and in particular the case study of Costa Rica. The local and regional cases studies will be put in their global, historical and present-day contexts. Students will finish the course with a profound understanding of the situation of Latin American and Caribbean women in relation to the environment and gender dynamics. Major challenges, advances, and the overall unfolding of sustainability with the key axis of equality will lead the discussion.

This course provides the student with an introduction to systems thinking within the context of sustainable development (SD) and the need for a change of perspectives in a globalized, post-pandemic world facing climate change. It introduces systems thinking theory in a fun and dynamic manner with practical examples taken from everyday issues relating to sustainability at local and global levels as a means to gain a greater understanding of how and why systems work the way they do. The student will learn to discover, understand and appreciate the systems of which we are part, how we function (or don’t) within them as individuals and as society, and hone our skills so our involvement in systems dynamics – whether at the personal, local, national, international or global levels – can contribute to sustainable development in one way or another and thus to more positive outcomes over time. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted in 2015 at the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly provide the backdrop to the course. It addresses all 17 SDGs depending on the depending on the specific systems under analysis or development by students, or indeed some of their specific targets as required. In addition to the bibliographic material in the reference section below, the course draws from a wide range of resources pertaining to current SD issues and opportunities and systems thinking concepts in our globalized world. These resources specifically provide an opportunity for the student to identify, examine and engage in current on-going issues relating to the traditional three pillars – social, environmental, economic – of sustainable development through the necessary broader 5P-lens of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships.

In this course students, will learn about the relationship ancient civilizations like Egypt, China, Mesopotamia, India, Greece, Rome, the Celts, and the Pre-Columbian Americans had with their environment. Students will explore how these cultures interacted with nature and managed resources, as land, forests, water and minerals. Also, they will be able to identify the main characteristics that allow civilizations to create a sustainable relationship with their surroundings and habitat, if the case. This historic overview will allow students to compare our present-day societies with the Ancient World.

This course is a survey of the main events of the Latin American History after its independence. Topics include the historical causes and effects of the independence, some of the main issues on social, economic, and political problems and the main historical leaders in modern Latin America.

In this course the agro-environmental, socio-economic, and political features that have shaped and defined the history and development path of Costa Rica will be explored. The major social issues that have emerged to the present day will be uncovered to provide the student with an understanding of how Costa Rica’s present-day culture has been shaped. A culture that tries to follow a sustainability path; where the simplest way to define sustainability is to see it as the options of having a harmonious future with total well-being. This class provides an introduction to Costa Rican history and culture. Students will have the opportunity to explore 3 main areas: (i) the historical dynamics that have influenced contemporary Costa Rica’s cultural profile, (ii) the global and regional dynamics that have influenced the history and cultural development of Costa Rica, and (iii) Costa Rican characteristics in its present-day society and culture. Learning the history of a country serves to delve into our own history and supports the continuous reconstruction and development of our own identity and humanity.

This class introduces the study of a systemic interdisciplinary view of human nutrition aspects with sustainability insights. No college-level science background is required; rather, the course will provide elementary aspects of the several basic sciences that are needed. Its main aim is to provide a holistic nutrition background that will help students make appropriate, informed choices from the vast array of foods available in 21st century’s marketplace. It is expected that students will obtain a general panorama about a wide range of current health issues that are related with nutrition in this century. This course is designed for the person who wants an overall introduction to nutrition within a
sustainability perspective and, who may later choose a major in it, or simply wants to improve his/her health and wellbeing, learning the impacts that modernity vicissitudes have posed to our health because of the food and planet unsustainable decisions we've made. This course shows an overview of how foods are altered nowadays, making linkages with agriculture, food industries and sustainability issues of current interest. Students will obtain a general overview of what nutrients and foods are, and their power for both good health or disease (food production, additives, pesticides, and hidden issues in food nowadays are discussed). Besides, we will reflect on the impacts each one of us is making on Earth and in each one of our 'body-minds' care and balance. A main aim is help students connect with current lifestyles –where toxic-free foods, supplements, organic meals, home-gardens, regenerative agriculture, applied sustainability, and dense nutritional options, are health and environment solutions already present. Another primordial aim is help students get a different perspective of their future life and career.

Physical therapy ranks in Costa Rica and the USA as one of the most desirable careers. Physical Therapists play essential roles in today’s health care environment. They contribute along with all health care providers to maintain, restore, and improve movement, activity and health, enabling individuals of all ages to have optimal functioning and quality of life. During this course the student will learn history of Physical Therapy, PT core values and principles, mechanical principles applied to human body, an introduction to exercise therapy, massage therapy and physical therapists approach after a stroke.

This course will explore the dynamics of environmental management, environmental histories, policy, politics, and action in the case study of Costa Rica and beyond. It will study environmental history and policy at a regional and national level; it will explore the emergence of Costa Rica’s cutting edge environmental politics and governmental commitments (the greening of the public sector and carbon neutrality and others); it will look back at Costa Rica’s conservation history and critically review its conservation and sustainable development model; it will present an understanding of the ‘state of the nation and region’ in regard to environmental indicators (land use methods and statistics, deforestation and reforestation data, contamination and waste indicators); it will identify the individuals and organisations working on taking authentic action in environmental protection; it will take a close look at how government policy translates into practice by reviewing cases studies of community and grassroots action in forestry, organic farming, recycling, cooperatives, and community environmental groups; and lastly, it will address some of central issues and challenges facing these activities and the resultant environmental conflicts.

This course is a general survey of the complex social and political heritage of Costa Rican society, examined through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary view focusing on the historical development and present-day dynamics of economy, society, polity, natural resources, and culture. This course analyzes the growth of Costa Rican culture through its history, studying the development of those elements that relate to the values of peace and democracy, which have become the standard bearers that identify this society. Emphasis is paid to the way these basic principles are enriched, highlighted, and respected in different periods of history, to the point of becoming firmly entrenched in the value systems of society. Special attention will be given to contemporary issues of peace, democracy, environment, economic and political trends, population, and the emergence of old and new paradigms and ideological movements.

This course will provide students with an introduction to the issues surrounding the development and abuse of human rights in Latin America. Students will explore the most recent advances in this field along with the most pertinent problems pertaining to their adoption and implementation. A particular emphasis will be given to the case of Costa Rica, giving the students an opportunity to explore the development of human rights in the following areas: women’s rights, children’s rights, HIV/AIDS, the CAFTA agreement and labor rights, indigenous groups and human rights, disability and age issues, and the prison environment. Specific attention will be given to testimonies of human rights abuses and the development of the Costa Rican legal framework in relation to these aforementioned areas. By analyzing these cases and the issues involved, students will gain an understanding of how human rights are being implemented through Costa Rica’s laws, policy framework and its institutional commitment to human rights.

This course will review the International Relations in Latin America, highlighting the most important facts that mark the politics in the region for the current era, specifically analyze tensions between sovereign rule and foreign hegemony, first by Spain and Portugal, later with Great Britain and other European colonial powers, and currently with the United States. An elementary introduction to class struggle and oligarchical domination, the rise and fall of Imperialism, military interventions, corporate banking, the role of national and foreign investments. Examples of diverse phases of economic systems, conservative ethnic and cultural resistance to change, as well as totalitarian, liberal and socialist revolutionary change. Human settlements in the Western Hemisphere, Pre-Columbian Tribal and Imperial societies, formation of modern Nation-States, and the complex International World Organizations, up to contemporary Power Structures, New World Orders and regional the emergence of new strategic players such as BRICS, G-20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Group (Silk Road Project). The Cold War, current events, the military dictatorships, and other Latin American political phenomena, such as integration, migration, and their effects of the war on drugs, terror and US hemispheric and global politics. Finally, with an evaluation of popularity and ideological tendencies of governments in the Region, present day relations with China and Russia, and the influence of globalization in the world, will be reflected in a final essay on a specific subject or case study from each student.

This class studies the different type of migrants during Globalization, the construction of migrants as others, the management of their image by media, the different forms in which migrants interact with the local culture (its dynamics and results), and elements pertaining human rights and citizenship in the cases of immigrants. The class starts with a general introduction to the subjects of otherness and exclusion, and the way in which not being like “the majority” in/of Society – or what it expects its members to be- creates a dynamic of exclusion. We will look briefly at the ways this has been demonstrated in other moments and places in history. The analyses of otherness and exclusion will be oriented in this direction. The class will continue to study on attitudes of xenophobia towards migrants, mainly towards Nicaraguan inhabitants in Costa Rica; and a political, social and economic analysis of the situation of Nicaraguans in Costa Rica and how it differs with other migrants in Costa Rica. The class will close with an attempt to compare the studied situation with the case of migrants in the United States.

This course introduces students to the field of psychology that examines the influence of culture upon human behavior and cognitive processes. “Culture” is defined as the shared norms, values, and behaviors of groups and of the individuals in those groups. We will focus on such topics as cultural factors in self-concept, gender roles, motivation, cognition, emotions, relationships, and social values. Our exploration will be based on psychological theories, research, student/teacher presentations, and field experiences. This course is a part of the social psychology, cultural-historical psychology, and social anthropology.

This course introduces basic concepts on holistic health, encompassing a general overview of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (T/CAM). Its main aim is to acquaint the student with current holistic health praxis, obtaining a general panorama about a wide range of current alternative/complementary practices. Class activities help students connect current lifestyles --where organic food, wellness, yoga, meditation, and a wide range of holistic health means are every day more common-- with their own current lifestyle, and, also, with their future health lifestyle and/or career. Through this course each student will have a better overview of the holistic health perspective and the efficacy of some of their practices to open doors for a future deepening in these subjects and open an option for inter-professional practices. Also, students will explore and evaluate different holistic approaches and philosophies to improve personal health and wellbeing. Moreover, students will be able to build their own comparison with their general health concepts –usually from the Western medicine (WM, also known as allopathic or conventional medicine). Some of the topics included are Homeopathy, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Acupuncture, Herbal and Nutritional Therapies, Ayurveda, Electromagnetic Therapy, Breathing, and Energy, among others.

The 21st century has brought with it a steep increase in health concerns, from stress, drug addiction and heart-related conditions to loneliness and depression. Young adulthood entails critical life transitions and therefore people in this period of life often experience health concerns more than any other. How do young adults sustain well-being and create healthy lifestyles they can enjoy throughout their lives? This course combines research on meta-analyses of the elements that lead young adults to well-being and success, as well as includes ""me-search"" where course participants can learn how they themselves fine-tune their own healthy lifestyle. The course explores 9 dimensions of healthy living: physical health, psychological and emotional wellbeing, educational attainment, ethical behavior, relationships, constructive engagement, executive functioning and life skills, civic engagement, and spirituality.

This course will touch base on the major world religions, such as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and more. We will focus on the dialogue and discussion of the following aspects: origins and mythology, main beliefs, concepts of God, sacred texts, rituals, main differences, and similarities.

This course provides an introduction to renewable energy resources and resource management, with an emphasis on the use of alternate energy sources such as solar, wind power, geothermal, and hydrogen. This course will consider society’s present needs and future energy demands, examine conventional energy sources and systems, including fossil fuels and then focus on alternate, renewable energy sources and how to manage them. We will cover the economic and social impact that both, conventional and renewable energy resources have on society. The students will have the opportunity to visit several projects related to hydrogen production’s plants, windmills and solar panels all national and multinational projects dedicated to the supply of energy.

Health service delivery today encounters frequent conflicts, disputes, and other difficult situations, many of them derived from larger changes occurring in the health systems of the world. These conflicts include differences due to multiculturalism, the appropriateness and quality of care, gender issues, power disputes, providers, and recipients over institutional and funding policies. Violence, its effects, and costs will be part of this course, particularly under the World Health Organization (WHO) definition and perspectives about violence in the world in general, and violence in Costa Rica in particular. This interactive, hands-on course offers a framework to integrate professional experience with functional communication and mediation skills. Students are encouraged to explore and develop their leadership into progress on matters of public health importance. Mandatory fieldwork sessions at an elementary school, clinic, nursing home, NGO, community, or prison enhance this challenging experience.