Eco-Lead 2012 Participant's Guide

Eco-Lead: Costa Rica 2012
Participant’s Guide


Table of Contents Pages
1. Contact Information 1
2. History of the Program 2
3. Learning Outcomes 3
4. Guiding Leadership Principles 4
5. Social Change Model of Leadership 5
6. Participant’s Agreement 6
7. Course Syllabus 7-12
8. Resources 13
9. Presentation & Facilitation Groups 14
10. Costa Rica Presentation Questions 15-17
11. Costa Rica Map 18
12. Notes 19

Arenal Volcano


History of Eco-Lead
Eco-Lead is an environmental and global leadership
program exclusive to St. Edward’s University.
The program evolved out of the award-winning CaboLead program,
which was created in 2007 by Brian Perry, Abbie Schneider, Tom
Sullivan, and Courtney Riegler to explore the impact of globalization
and the tourism industry on Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

As areas of Mexico became unsafe and a travel warning was issued, in
2010, the CaboLead program was put on hold. Meanwhile, members of
the Student Life staff pursued alternatives to continue to show
students the importance of global leadership issues.

In 2011, Environmental Science and Policy Professor Peter Beck was
approached to partner with Student Life and Hilltop Leadership
Development to create a global leadership program that would explore
issues of sustainable development, ecotourism, and biodiversity.

Professor Beck, Lindsey Woelker, and Ben Sambrano travelled to Costa
Rica to begin planning the events, speakers, and excursions for the
initial trip with students. Brian Perry and Professor Beck began
developing a blended 12 week curriculum to address both
environmental and leadership issues in Costa Rica.

The weekly sessions address the history, people, and customs of Costa
Rica, as well as current issues dealing with rural development,
ecotourism, and much more.

2


Learning Outcomes

Students will:
•Assess the significant Costa Rican economic, political, cultural, and
environmental issues and analyze how they interact.
•Compare and contrast leadership in Costa Rica with The United States.
•Critically evaluate the opportunities and challenges involved with
promoting ecotourism, biodiversity conservation and sustainable
development.
•Experience cultures outside of the United States.
•Enhance their global leadership potential through critical thinking and
self-awareness.

Hanging Bridge 3

Guiding Leadership Principles
Eco-Lead was designed to be, primarily, an experiential program.
However, those experiences are organized around a
curriculum that is framed by a number of critical guiding
principles that we believe help college students to focus their potential
to become global leaders.

Self-Awareness
Understanding your personal strengths and areas for growth is a foundational element of leadership

Ethics
An individual’s moral principles defined through the lens of experience, situation, and culture

Knowledge
To purposefully lead, knowledge must be acquired to help guide the decision-making process

Globalization
The impact nations have on each other’s economies, cultures, and way of living when they intersect
through expansion

Cultural Competency
The ability to effectively navigate a culture other than your own through experience and education

Commitment
The willingness to engage in a highly motivated, purposeful, and passionate way

Coalitions
The ability to bring together related, but different entities to collaborate is a hallmark of leadership

Critical Thinking
The ability to analyze, synthesize, and consider all sides of a situation against each other to generate an
opinion

Politics
Using local laws, governance structures, and customs, as well as who has power to your strategic
advantage

Vision
An alternate reality developed to achieve a set of purposeful goals

Taking Action
When an individual, group, or coalition take steps to enact their vision

Taking Risks
The willingness to put aside fears and concerns about potential difficulties to reach for a bold outcome

Potential
The result of an individual applying their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses to their maximum
extent 4


Social Change Model
(Higher Education Research Institute, A Social Change Model of Leadership Development,
University Of California, Los Angeles, 1996)

5


Participant’s Agreement
Eco-Lead is an experience that is unique to St. Edward’s University.
Hard work and dedication have been put into making Eco-Lead a
memorable and hopefully life-changing experience. However, these
aspirations cannot be achieved without an understanding of the
expectations of all participants in the program.

All participants of Eco-Lead must agree to…
• No consumption of alcohol or use of illegal drugs in all situations. No exceptions.
• Attend each educational session preceding the trip.
• Arrive on time for all scheduled educational sessions.
• Arrive on time for all meetings and departures during the trip.
• Make sure members of the Eco-Lead Planning Team are aware of their location at all times.
• Always travel in groups.
• Engage in conversations with guest speakers and panelists.
• Treat each other with respect.
• Represent St. Edward’s University with dignity and respect.

Costa Rica has a reputation for being a place Americans go to relax, unwind, and have a good
time. There is certainly nothing wrong with this characterization. However, we will be
showing you another side of Costa Rica. By making these choices, our group stands out to the
leaders we interact with and helps establish the potential for other Americans to travel in the
region without the expectation that we are there simply to consume the region and be
nothing more than tourists.

By signing this agreement, you are making a commitment to the Eco-Lead Planning Team, Eco-
Lead participants, and to St. Edward’s University that you understand that these are the
expectations of a leader and that you are willing and able to uphold these expectations.
Additionally, you understand that if you violate any of these agreements, you may be subject
to removal from activities, reimbursement of costs, or removal from the program and return
to Texas at your own cost.

The Eco-Lead Planning Team has designed these expectations to maximize the Eco-Lead
experience. They are designed to help respect the process, as well as everyone involved in the
process. We believe that these are small concessions to make when weighed against the
opportunity provided.

Participant Signature

_______________________________________________________

Eco-Lead Planning Team Member Signature

_______________________________________________________ 6


Syllabus
GLST 2199.03
Topics in Global Studies: Environmental Leadership in Costa Rica
Spring 2012
Thursdays 5-6 p.m. 104 Trustee Hall

Academic Coordinators:
Peter Beck, PhD, Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Policy
peterab@stedwards.edu

Brian Perry, Associate Director, Student Life
brianp2@stedwards.edu

Required Readings:
Lonely Planet Costa Rica (2010)
Eco-Lead Articles (on-line)

Introduction:
Welcome to GLST 2199.03 Topics in Global Studies: Environmental Leadership in Costa Rica,
the academic companion to the Eco-Lead program. This course is a global, environmental
leadership exploration program, designed by faculty and staff from Behavioral and Social
Sciences and Student Life at St. Edward’s University. Each week, the class will meet to
discuss issues related to Costa Rica, sustainable development, and leadership, before
departing for Costa Rica.

Eco Lead Purpose:
Eco-Lead is an academic and experiential leadership initiative that supports the
University’s commitment to developing globally prepared undergraduate students. Upon
completing the course, students will be introduced to local leaders, participate in hands-on
community service, and learn about the environmental, economic, social, political and
ethical leadership issues in Costa Rica over a seven day period.

Learning Outcomes:
Students will:
•Assess the significant Costa Rican economic, political, cultural, and environmental issues
and analyze how they interact.
•Compare and contrast leadership in Costa Rica with The United States.
•Critically evaluate the opportunities and challenges involved with promoting ecotourism,
biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
•Experience cultures outside of the United States.
•Enhance their global leadership potential through critical thinking and self-awareness.

7


Syllabus
Class Policies:
Attendance/Participation:
The unique nature of this program demands attendance and
in-depth participation. Absences can only be approved due to medical illness or
family or personal emergencies. The participants who were selected agreed in
advance to their ability to attend all of the scheduled events related to Eco-
Lead. Any absences will need to be approved in advance when possible via the
Eco-Lead Planning Team. The Eco-Lead Planning Team reserves the right to
withdraw academic credit if more than two sessions are missed. The Eco-Lead
Planning Team consists of Associate Professor, Environmental Science and
Policy, Peter Beck, Associate Director, Student Life, Brian Perry, Assistant
Director, Student Life, Lindsey Woelker, and Eco-Lead student coordinator, Ben
Sambrano.

Students with Disabilities:
If you have a disability that might affect your performance in class, please let us
know so that we can accommodate your needs. For more information on
disabilities, contact the Student Disability Services Office (448-8660) or visit the
Academic Planning and Support Services area at Moody Hall room 155. Call
their office for an appointment.

Academic Integrity:
In all aspects of this experience, you should conduct yourself with academic
integrity and high ethical standards. Plagiarism is not acceptable! Be
accountable for your work and behavior, treat others with respect, value and
practice what you learn. St. Edward’s University expects academic honesty
from all members of the community, and it is our policy that academic integrity
be fostered to the highest degree possible. Consequently, all work submitted
for grading in a course must be created as a result of your own thought and
effort. Representing work as your own when it is not a result of such thought
and effort is a violation of our code of academic integrity. The maximum
penalty for a first offense is failure in the course, and if that penalty is
imposed, the student does not have the option of withdrawing from the
course. In cases of mitigating circumstance, the instructor has the option of
assigning a lesser penalty.

Risk Management:
Due to the nature of this experience, students will be expected to follow St.
Edward’s University risk management policies in relation to international travel.
A valid passport is required to participate, and the appropriate liability
insurance, and emergency forms will need to be filled out before leaving for
Costa Rica.

8


Syllabus
Assignments:
Costa Rica Group Presentations (20 points)
Each Costa Rica session will begin with a presentation about the
topic listed. The students will be broken into groups and provided questions that will
guide their research for a presentation for the group. The presentation should be digital
(preferably PowerPoint) and last 45 minutes and include a 15 minute facilitated Q and A with
the group. Also, provide at least one additional article, story, etc. related to your
presentation for the group.

Attendance and Participation (20 points)
Total points will be allocated weekly and totaled at the end of the experience based on
attendance, weekly participation, and contributions to the learning community and includes
the trip to Costa Rica. Also included, will be preparation for facilitated discussions during
the Eco-Lead Sessions.

Final Project Part One (20 Points)
The culminating project for Eco-Lead will be a self-directed study of a topic of the student’s
choice. Each student will choose a different topic. Part One of the Final Project includes a
statement of why the topic has been chosen, and a literature review of a number of
sources, and will include the development of questions the student would like to consider
as part of the Costa Rica trip. The total length of Part One should be 5 typed pages.

Final Project Part Two (20 Points)
The completed Final Project will include the initial work in Part One, and will add the
findings in relation to the Part One questions, as well as a discussion and reaction to the
findings, as well as commentary related to the Costa Rica trip. The total Final Project should
be 9 typed pages.

Costa Rican Journals (20 points)
While on the Costa Rica Trip, students will be expected to journal at the end of each day to
reflect on their experience and how it connects with the studies that took place before the
trip.

Grade Breakdown
A=93-100
B=85-92
C=77-84
D=69-76
F=68-below

Please note that this syllabus is a contract between you, the students, and the instructors.
By staying in and finishing this experience, you are accepting the terms and policies
specified in this syllabus.
9


Syllabus
Thursday January 26 (Session #1)
Introduction
104 Trustee Hall 5-6pm

Thursday February 2 (Session #2)
“Costa Rica: History, People, and Culture”
104 Trustee Hall
Assignments Due:
1. Read Lonely Planet Costa Rica (pages 32-54)
2. “Costa Rica: History, People, and Culture” Presentation

Thursday February 9 (Homecoming)
No Session

“Costa Rica: Politics and Economics”
104 Trustee Hall 5-6 p.m.
Assignments Due:
1. Read Lonely Planet Costa Rica (pages 448)
2. “Costa Rica: Politics and Economics” Presentation
3. Online Article: “Democratic Development in Costa Rica”

“Costa Rica: Environment and Biodiversity”
Assignments Due:
2. “Costa Rica: Environment and Biodiversity” Presentation

Thursday March 1 (Session #5)
“ECO-LEAD: Ecotourism and Rural Development”
Assignments Due:
1. Online Article: Ecotourism: Does it Help or Hurt Fragile Lands and Cultures
2. Facilitation Questions (20 minutes)

“ECO-LEAD: Biodiversity Conservation Part I”
Assignments Due:
2. Online Article: Status and Conservation of Coral Reefs in Costa Rica
10


Syllabus
Thursday March 15 (Spring Break)
No Session

“ECO-LEAD: Biodiversity Conservation Part II”
Assignments Due:
2. Online Article: Payments for Environmental Services in Costa Rica

“ECO-LEAD: Sustainability”
Assignments Due:
1. Final Project Part One (Topic)
2. Review Online Web Sites: Earth University

Thursday April 5 (Easter Break)
No Session

Thursday April 12 (Session #9)
Office of International Education: Travel Logistics
Assignment Due: Read Lonely Planet Costa Rica (pages 16-24, 523-540, 552-557)

Global Leadership Principles

Global Leaders (Case Studies)
Assignment Due:
1. Final Project Part One (Literature Review and Trip Questions)
2. Review Online Web Sites: Rancho Margot

Thursday May 3 (Session #12)
Global Leadership Issues

11


Syllabus
Thursday May 10 (Finals Week)
No Session

Tuesday May 15 - Trip Preparation Meeting

Wednesday May 16-23
Costa Rica Trip
Assignment Due: Daily Journals

Monday May 28
Assignment Due: Completed Final Project

Coral Reef 12


Resources
Politics and Economics:
“Democratic Development in Costa Rica”
https://ezproxy.stedwards.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?d
irect=true&db=eda&AN=33245082&site=eds-live&scope=site

Eco-Lead Sessions:
Ecotourism: Does it Help or Hurt Fragile Lands and Cultures
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2006102000

Status and Conservation of Coral Reefs in Costa Rica
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45347420/Status-and-conservation-of-coral-reefs-in-Costa-
Rica

Payments for Environmental Services in Costa Rica
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800907004235

Other Sources:
U.S. Department of State
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2019.htm

Valuation of tropical forest services and mechanisms to finance their conservation and
sustainable use: A case study of Tapantí National Park, Costa Rica
http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.stedwards.edu:5000/science/article/pii/S1389934
109000264

Earth University
http://www.earth-usa.org/
http://www.earth.ac.cr/?lang=en

Rancho Margot
http://ranchomargot.org/

13


Presentation and Facilitation Groups
Costa Rica Sessions Eco-Lead Sessions
Presentation 1 (2/2/12) Facilitation 1 (3/1/12)
Zach Domingue Jane Marie Agnew
Dellea Copeland Zach Domingue
Portia Odell Kadence Hampton
Janelle Sylvester
Facilitation 2 (3/8/12)
Presentation 2 (2/16/12) Jami Bula
Frank Duran Frank Duran
Leslie De La Rosa Portia Odell
Kadence Hampton
Jane Marie Agnew Facilitation 3 (3/22/12)
Dellea Copeland
Presentation 3 (2/23/12) Marissa Dzubara
Gilberto Martinez Gilberto Martinez
Jami Bula
Amara Garza Facilitation 4 (3/29/12)
Marissa Dzubara Leslie De La Rosa
Amara Garza
Janelle Sylvester

14


Presentation Questions
“History, People, and Culture”

History and People
1. How long are people believed to have inhabited Costa Rica?
2. Who are the two people who may have given Costa Rica its name? What does it mean?
3. Who was Diego de Nicuesa?
4. What is the historic significance of Guayabo?
5. When was a Spanish colony firmly established in Costa Rica?
6. Who was the first Governor?
7. Why did Costa Rica not follow the same developmental pattern as other Spanish colonies?
8. What was the fate of the 400,000 indigenous people in Costa Rica after colonization?
9. What role did Napoleon play in Costa Rica’s independence from Spain?
10. In what year did Costa Rica gain their independence?
11. Who designed Costa Rica’s first flag?
12. Who was the first head of state? When was his term of office? What did he accomplish?
13. What discovery led to Costa Rica going from being impoverished to wealthy in Central America?
14. What is the significance of American Minor Keith?
15. What was known by the locals as “el pulpo?”
16. What led to the Costa Rican Civil War in 1948? What was its outcome? Who was the key leader?
17. How did the Cold War affect Costa Rica?

Culture
1. Which native tribes are still represented in Costa Rica? Where are they located?
2. What term do Costa Ricans affectionately call themselves?
3. How is Costa Rica culturally different from other Central American countries?
4. What outside cultures have influenced Costa Rica? In what ways?
5. What role does family play in Costa Rican life?
6. What factors contribute to the general good health and long life expectancy in Costa Rica?
7. How does a typical Costa Rican family live?
8. What specific populations continue to live in poverty in Costa Rica?
9. What groups experience or have experienced prejudice and racism in Costa Rica?
10. What was the purpose of the reservation system created in 1977?
11. What is the significance of the term “pura vida?”
12. What are some of the popular types of dancing in Costa Rica?
13. What foods are at the heart of the Costa Rican diet?
14. Describe the variety of popular drinks in Costa Rica.
15. What is the national musical instrument of Costa Rica?

Leadership Principles
1. How does knowing a region’s history prepare a global leader?
2. How does understanding cultural history prepare you to understand the present reality?
3. How did the leadership of a few individuals change the future of Costa Rica?
15


“Politics and Economics”

Politics and Government
1. Outline the governmental structure for Costa Rica both nationally and locally.
2. How long are the terms of each level of elected official?
3. What kind of government does Costa Rica have?
4. When did the last national elections take place?
5. Who is the current President? What is their brief background?
6. What are the major political parties in Costa Rica?
7. When were mayors first elected in Costa Rica?
8. When was the Coast Guard first established?
9. Why doesn’t Costa Rica have an army?
10. Describe the educational conditions in Costa Rica.
11. Does Costa Rica have an embassy in the United States?
12. What are some of the political objectives of the current President?
13. What is Costa Rica’s track record on human rights and issues of equality?
14. Who was Oscar Arias and what did he achieve?
15. What country is currently in a political spat with Costa Rica?
16. Why is Costa Rica considering comprehensive tax reform? What are the main issues?
17. What is the Blue Flag Ecological Program?

Economics
1. What industry primarily makes up 67% of Costa Rica’s GDP?
2. Costa Rica was the world’s largest exporter of what fruit in 2011?
3. Why is the cost of living so high in Costa Rica compared to the rest of Central America?
4. What are the key elements of the Costa Rican tourism board’s2010-2016 Sustainable Tourism Plan?
5. What percent of the Costa Rican population live below the poverty line?
6. Immigrants from what country are threatening the economic security of Costa Rica?
7. What are the other major agricultural exports of Costa Rica?
8. What is the star of Costa Rica’s Million Dollar Gift of Happiness Marketing Campaign?
9. What are some of the key elements that make Costa Rica a tourism hot spot?
10. What was the estimated unemployment rate in 2010?
11. What are some of the main industries in Costa Rica producing?
12. What country imports the most Costa Rican products?
13. What is the current exchange rate between Costa Rican colones and American dollars?
14. Give a brief overview of the importance of coffee to the Costa Rican economy.
15. What has caused a decrease in coffee farming in Costa Rica?
16. What are the major environmental and social concerns with banana plantations?

1. How does Costa Rica’s rural and agricultural past impact it’s future?
2. Can you see any similarities between political and economic issues in Costa Rica and the USA?
3. Historically Costa Rica has been very loosely structured politically. What has been the impact?
16


“Environment and Biodiversity”

Environment and Biodiversity
1. National parks cover approximately what percentage of Costa Rica?
2. What are some of the more common forms of wildlife in Costa Rica?
3. Talk about the INBio organization. What do they do?
4. Discuss in depth the history and purpose of Earth University in Costa Rica.
5. What are some of the current research projects going on at Earth University?
6. What is unique about The Ostional Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica?
7. What percentage of the world’s biodiversity can be found in Costa Rica?
8. What are some factors that explain why such a small place has such diversity of species?
9. Discuss the Biodiversity Act of 1998.
10. What is agro-ecotourism?
11. Describe the unique purpose of Rancho Margot.
12. What are the women of Barrio La Argentina in Costa Rica doing to promote sustainability?
13. Discuss some of the reasons Costa Rica sets aside protected areas for sea turtles.
14. Costa Rica hopes to be carbon neutral by what year? Give an overview of carbon neutrality.
15. What is a seiner fishing ship and how do they threaten the tourism industry in Costa Rica?
16. What is studied at the La Selva Biological Station?
17. What is the Costa Rican cloud forest?
18. What are some of the government agencies that are designed to protect the environment?
19. Why were vast expanses of rainforest deforested during the 1970’s and 80’s?
20. There are at least 39 endangered animal species in Costa Rica. Discuss a few of them.
21. What are some of the ways Costa Rican frogs try to protect their eggs from fish?
22. Over half of the mammal species in Costa Rica are what kind of animal?
23. Almost 900 varieties of this species are found in Costa Rica—more than USA and Canada
combined.
24. What is the difference between a moth and a butterfly?
25. How many ecosystems are there in Costa Rica?
26. What are some of the more unique plants that can be found in Costa Rica?
27. Display and discuss some of the beautiful birds native to Costa Rica

1. Why would politicians or local leaders be opposed to designating protected conservation areas?
2. How would you deal with the problems presented by illegal fishing practices?
3. What are your personal values when the issue is environment vs. economics?

17


Map

18


Notes

19

Eco-Lead 2012 Participant's Guide

Eco-Lead 2012 Participant's Guide

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