Course Information: 

Evaluation will be in the form of a single, three-hour written examination on the day following the end of the class schedule for each course.  Given the intense nature of the learning, students will be given an idea of the question or questions in advance of the examination in order to assure that they will have sufficient time to reflect and prepare.  Grading will be done according to Tulane’s mandatory curve. 

These courses will count towards the Environmental Law Certificate.

There is wheelchair access to the Fundaҫão Getulio Vargas. 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 

Please note that this schedule is tentative and subject to change based on scheduling conflicts or low enrollment in a particular course: 

Session I: May 26- June 12, 2013 

The first session, Law, Environmental Sustainability and Development, consists of two distinct parts.  The first is an intensive, week-long field course in the city of Nova Friburgo, located in Rio de Janeiro state approximately two hours from Rio de Janeiro’s international airport.  During this week, students will both hear from and visit with different stakeholders competing for the resources of the extensive Três Picos State Park, which abuts the city, and go on field trips related to their lectures and conversations.  The speakers will be lawyers, government officials, engineers, biologists, farmers and environmental activists, among others.  In this way, students will have a better grasp of the magnitude of the challenges facing park administrators and local governments as they work responsibly to manage natural resources taking into account the environmental, social, economic and political consequences of their decisions and activities. 

The second half of the course, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, will be skills-based and will introduce students to negotiation and mediation techniques in the context of resolving questions like those disputes among stakeholders studied in the first week. 

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Session II: June 13-28, 2013 

The second session, Urban Economic and Environmental Sustainability: Law, Policy & Culture will complement the previous course but focus more deeply on the resolution of environmental and social conflicts in an urban context.  Like most of Latin America, Brazil is a heavily urbanized nation, but also one rich in natural resources.  The resulting pressures and tensions are enormous.  This course will, through the use of case studies and daylong field visits, permit students to grapple with the role of law and policy in resolving conflicts that raise a variety of questions, from industrial development policies, to struggles over race and class and gender equality – and all against the backdrop of questions involving sound management of the built and physical environment.  As with the first course, this session will also draw heavily upon local expertise and knowledge – students will learn about these issues from some of Rio de Janeiro’s leading professionals and experts.  

Course Schedule: 

The schedule has been designed so that students will have ample free time (before and between course sessions) to explore the “marvelous city”, as Brazilians refer to Rio de Janeiro.  Faculty and staff have ample knowledge of and about Rio and environs and will happily provide students assistance to help them pursue their non-academic interests. 

*Please note that the schedule and specific lecturers and topics listed below are subject to change.  Every effort will be made to follow the above schedule or to provide an acceptable substitute topic and/or speaker: 

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Session I: Law, Environmental Sustainability and Development* 

Students arrive Saturday, May 25, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro at the Tom Jobim International Airport (“Galeão”, airport code GIG)  and go by bus immediately to Nova Friburgo, arriving by 5pm.

Week I: Nova Friburgo Field Work 

Principle Faculty Responsible: Colin Crawford

Day 

Theme 

Lecturer 

Activity 

Sun. 5/26 

Introduction to Três Picos State Park, its characteristics, features, resources, and pressures on it 

Conservation Units in Rio de Janeiro state, Adriano Luz, biologist & former Três Picos Park Director

Hike to Jequitibá – understand the vegetation, fauna and biodiversity of the Atlantic Rainforest

Mon. 5/27 

Brazilian conservation law: National System of Conservation Units (“SNUC”)

State Environmental Protection Area (“APA”) Macaé de Cima, Carlos Henrique Martins, Director of APA Macaé de Cima

Environmental legislation and land use in park, Prof. Dr. Evandro Sathler, Socio-environmental lawyer

State Environmental Protection Area (“APA”) Macaé de Cima, Carlos Henrique Martins, Director of APA Macaé de Cima

Tues. 5/28  

NOTE: Bus will depart this day at 6am and return late afternoon

Anthropogenic Pressures: Agriculture

Sustainable rural development and public policies in mountainous environments,Amazile Lopez, forestry engineer with municipal government of city of Nova Friburgo

Hike to the base of Três Picos to see, discuss and understand the pressures on the park resources

Wed. 5/29 

Tropical Rain Forests Ecosystem Services and Community Role

Community involvement in resource protection - Alessandro Rifan, Architect, staff, Três Picos State Park

Visits to Santiago to see small-scale projects for small scale alternative agriculture/ecosystem service projects, including bee farming

Thu. 5/30 

 Water Management

The functions of the hydrographic basin containing the Rio das Ostras and the Rio Macaé - Dr. Mauro Prioste , civil engineer with the Rio das Ostras municipal government

 Afternoon free or optional recreation (additional cost):

- River rafting;

- Tree canopy tours;

Fri. 5/31 

NOTE: Bus will leave this day at 6am

Human Pressures on Park: case study on Petrochemical complex in Guanabara Bay (COMPERJ) - Breno Herrera, director of APA Guapimirim

Boat trip to visit Guapimirim mangrove swamps

Fri. 5/31 TRAVEL TO RIO DE JANEIRO
Sat. 6/1 – Tues. 6/4 NO CLASS

Week II: Rio de Janeiro: Conflict Management (CM) for Sustainable Development 

DAY 

Theme 

Lecturer 

Activity 

Wed. 6/5 

Jacobs 

Lecture 

Thu. 6/6 

Fri. 6/7 

Mon. 6/10 

Tues. 6/11 

Wed. 6/12       FINAL EXAMINATION 

Session II 

Week III: Urban Economic and Environmental Sustainability: Law, Policy & Culture* 

DAY 

Time I 

Time II 

Time III 

Thu. 6/13 

Lecture: Demographic and environmental profile of Rio de Janeiro: Dr. José Antonio Nascimento/IBGE 

Mon. 6/17 

Tues. 6/18 

Thurs. 6/20

Week IV:  Urban Economic and Environmental Sustainability: Law, Policy & Culture 

DAY 

Time I 

Time II 

Time III 

Fri. 6/21 

Friday, June 28, 2013: FINAL EXAMINATION 

Sunday, June 30, 2013: Students depart from Rio de Janeiro