Overview
Activities: Travel to Louisiana for hands-on learning about coastal land loss, climate change, environmental racism, and other crucial social and political issues affecting the area
Cost: This first year includes full funding for student travel and lodging.
Capacity: 10 students
Description
Professor Thomas Davis, associate professor in English, will lead a field school to Louisiana in spring 2019 to explore the issue of changing environmental conditions and resilience. This first Livable Futures Field School will take 10 undergraduate students to southern Louisiana. Over the course of a week, students will learn about coastal land loss, indigenous politics and cultures, environmental racism, climate change, and the ecosystems of the Gulf. During our time in Louisiana, students will:
1. Assist Common Ground Relief as they help rebuild Louisiana’s wetlands.
2. Collaborate with Louisiana based artists and art collectives to learn about and engage with creative practices that grapple with a range of environmental justice issues.
3. Work with Houma nation member, artist, activist, and documentary filmmaker Monique Verdin to learn about indigenous politics, histories, lifeways, and the current struggle against oil and gas pipelines in Louisiana.
Application Requirements
Applications to the field school should include:
1. Application Form (link to download the form as a .docx file)
2. Resume/CV
3. Personal Statement (two pages, double spaced) that:
• Explains your interest in the field school.
• Explains how your particular skills and/or expertise will benefit the larger group.
• Explains how you think the field school relates to your personal, professional, and/or creative development.
Application Deadline: February 8, 2019
All applications should be emailed to Professor Thomas S. Davis (davis.3186 [at] osu.edu) by February 8, 2019. You will receive an email notifying you that your application has been submitted.
Timeline of Events
Week of February 18
Interviews
February 25, 2019
Notification
March 5
Group Meeting
May 2 & 3
Orientation & Discussion
May 5-11
Site Visit
Week of May 20
Post-trip Discussion and Project Previews