Ethnoecology course; 3rd time at CEU with growing success
CORUSUS, the Collaborating for Rural Sustainability project (2022-2024) has developed a course based on a co-created curriculum by the partners involved in its first year. The 3rd annual Ethnoecology course at CEU in Vienna in the beginning of 2024 saw a notable increase in enrolment, with 26 students registered representing 21 nationalities. This included 3 students from the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) and 3 from the American University of Beirut (AUB), alongside 20 students from CEU. This diversity allowed for the integration of course credits into AUCA and AUB transcripts.
The course at CEU was co-taught by three faculty members: one from Witwatersrand University (WITS), one from AUCA, and one from AUB, while a CEU faculty member administered and graded the course. It was officially part of two CEU Masters programs and open to all CEU students.
Prof. Brandon Anthony (CEU) highlighted that exposing students to lectures by faculty from diverse countries and disciplines added substantial value to their learning experience. Prof. Ruslan Rakhimov (AUCA) noted that the course introduced alternative approaches and angles on nature management in Kyrgyzstan, offering students new perspectives. Prof. Jaber (AUB) emphasized that AUB students gained significant international exposure through both the course content and interactions with peers from various cultural and academic backgrounds. Overall, this cross-institutional effort enriched the course with multi-regional perspectives and actionable lessons on rural sustainability.
Prof. Brandon Anthony (CEU) and Dr. Kanat Sultanaliev (AUCA), who gave a presentation on the Kyrgyz Republic's sustainable pasture management
Prof. Wayne Twine lecturing on southern Africa
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Survey Research Methods mini course
Later in 2024, Prof. Anthony contributed to the development and delivery of the Survey Research Methods mini course at WITS, which has been offered for the past 3 years. Prof. Anthony observed that “students left the course with a better understanding of conducting research in rural areas, including proper ethical protocols.”
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The interdisciplinary approach and the diversity of perspectives provided by the faculty members were highly appreciated by students. As Prof. Wayne Twine (WITS) observed, "The perspectives provided by faculty from partner institutions in other countries added richness to the course." Given the students' interest, the faculty recognized the potential of offering the course online, which would increase accessibility and allow more students to participate.