Summer 2025

Travel with Dr. Deb McGrath and Marcus Murphy to China to learn more about how this country is reshaping environmental sustainability across the globe. 

Please fill out the interest form HERE. 

What: This course offers an immersive experience in China, focusing on environmental sustainability and its global impact. Participants will explore China's innovative approaches to renewable energy, conservation, and sustainable urban development, as well as water conservation practices in forest management and agriculture. Through site visits, discussions with local experts, including faculty from NWFAU, and cultural exchanges with students, participants will gain a deep understanding of the environmental challenges and solutions unique to both urban and rural China. The course aims to inspire a global perspective on sustainability, highlighting the importance of cross-cultural collaboration. By the end of the program, students will be equipped with practical insights to contribute to sustainable practices in their own communities, support majors in environmental study and enhance their preparation for environmental careers.

Where: Beijing, Xi'an and Yangling, China

When: China Travel - May 14 - June 2, 2025 | Application due Dec. 15, 2024 - Deposit due Dec. 31st, 2024

Cost: *$4,000 - Course Fee + $500 Deposit

* Internal scholarship funding available. To be considered for scholarships you must apply by Dec. 15. 

Program Directors: Dr. Deb McGrath (Professor of Biology and Assistant Dean Sewanee Integrated Program in the Environment | Carl Biehl Professor of International Studies) and Marcus Murphy (Associate Director - Office of Global Citizenship | Chinese Language Lecturer)

Program Overview

Academics

Students will receive 4 credits for the following course:

  • ENST 211 Sustainability and Global Environmental Change Seminar

Description: This seminar-style course exposes students to literature on a variety of issues related to climate change and other examples of our dynamic global environment including natural resource use and natural hazards. Prerequisite: Only open to students who have been admitted to the Global Environmental Change Field Studies Program (the 2 half course sequence ENST 211 and ENST2 12).

Prerequisites: Only open to students who have been admitted to the Global Environmental Change Field Studies Program. Program Attributes: ENST Environmental Studies

  • ENST 212 Sustainability and Global Environmental Change Field Studies

Description: This course is an interdisciplinary field immersion into a selected location that provides tangible experience of the concepts introduced in ENST 211. Students travel throughout the field site, exploring real-world examples of sustainability efforts in the context of our changing global environment. Concepts of sustainability, climate change, natural resource use, and natural hazards will be explored in the field context. Field sites may change from year to year.

Prerequisites: Only open to students who have been admitted to the Global Environmental Change Field Studies Program. Program Attributes: ENST Environmental Studies

Excursions
  • Great Wall
  • Organic Farms in Beijiing 
  • Forbidden City
  • Ancient capital of Xi'an
  • Terracotta Warriors
  • Sacred Mountain of Hua'shan

Reach out to Dr. Deb Mcgrath or Marcus Murphy for more information.