1. Learn!
2. Synthesize. Besides digesting a large amount of factual and scientific information, I also hope to understand the historical frameworks and mediums in which China's environmental issues are presented. I want to be able to transcend the Western lens of viewing China by learning more about Chinese culture and perspectives.
3. Apply. I hope that somewhere along the way I will pick up skills, contacts, or opportunities that will help me with working in China after I graduate. Also, this class will help me improve leadership, organizational, and general academic skills.
Harmony's Goals
- Learn about China's environmental situation as it stands. Although this may sound obvious from the course title, I think really being able to delve into some of these issues will help give me a better understanding of how to think about the intersection of science and the human factors (history, policy, goals) and the ways that they interact to form the current standing of things.
- In general, consider more of the "human aspects" such as history and economics and policy. Unfortunately, I've taken a very science-heavy courseload so far and I think it's time for some change.
- Work on some more Chinese - hopefully get a better ability to at least talk about some of these ideas in Chinese.
- Work with the other members of the GISP on a project. Especially now that we have gotten started, I feel like we could really accomplish something together.
- Gain a better understanding of important people and institutions that are playing a role in China's environment.
- Learn more about the potential resources for information regarding China's environment, given that I may want to do more research in this field in the future.
- Follow current events related to this topic
Devon's Goals
> Develop a strong understanding of China's prospects for improving its environmental problems, promising options for clean energy and development, the biggest obstacles to sustainable growth, the role the US and other countries play in China's development and how they can contribute to reducing its environmental degradation, etc.
> Make contacts with people with expertise on China's environment and related topics
> Develop ideas for promising areas of environmental research and work in China
> If we choose to do a China/Environment symposium, we should invite some really cool guest speakers and get to know them!
> Eat some Chinese dinners together!
Wumeng's Goals
- Learn about environmental issues in China in a comprehensive way
- Apply some of the skills I have acquired during the years at Brown on analysing environmental problems in China, and hopefully to start thinking about potential resolutions
- Compare and contrast environmental issues in China and the US. More specifically, to think about the limitations of applying the American experience to China, but also good lessons that China can learn from the US.
- Discuss environment in China with people with different cultural and academic backgrounds.
Kayla's Goals
- Learn about the different ways China is addressing environmental issues within its borders, the specific and special problems facing this unique nation, as well as its place in international climate/environmental issues - all from a variety of perspectives
- Discuss frustrations, points of contention, positive elements in China's policies/regulation/implementation, and possible solutions with diverse bright young minds (!) in order to widen my perspective on or interpretations of the situation even further than the readings alone would allow
- Be comfortable enough at the end of the course to apply what I have learned in future settings
- Have fun!
Justin's Goals
My knowledge of China's environmental impact is close to nothing compared to where I want it to be.
Upon hearing a phrase such as "China and the environment" images of hundreds of thousands of smokestacks pumping endless black plumes into the sky, of impoverished villagers drinking from polluted rivers and dying of wholly preventable diseases, and of Chinese politicians turning a blind eye toward the health of their saving their nation's resources and people quickly come to my mind. Those images have been shaped by my incredibly limited exposure to how China has been affecting the environment. I'm quite afraid that my understanding of the realities facing China in regards to its environmental issues, the Chinese government's response in helping China's environment, and its efficacy in doing so is terribly shallow. So my first goal of this course, through the numerous readings, presentations, and discussions, is to learn more about the what of "China and the environment." Do my images have truth, and if so how much? Nearly 1 out of 5 people on this planet live in China. In regards to the environment, what is actually going on with all those people?
Taking a step back, I wish to then explore the history and cultural background that led to the People's Republic's current environmental state. How did the status quo come into being? I'm certain China's current position as a burgeoning economic power is a crucial factor, so part of this goal would be to investigate the environmental impacts of China's industrialization.
Once more of these topics have been necessarily, in terms of the scope of a one-semester course, prodded and poked around, I intend on attempting to see any solutions to the problems we'll undoubtedly uncover.
And as this is a GISP, I'm very curious in how a GISP operates. The idea of student-led learning is really exciting, and I hope that I can participate in such an ideal and reap its benefits.
Additionally, consuming much Chinese food in the midst of all this learning, which is energy-intensive itself, seems appropriate, given the Chinese context and brain fuel that only Chinese food can provide.
