July 09, 2009
Thirteen St. John’s University students recently completed
a pioneering, multidisciplinary Global Studies course that used the
University’s focus on service and sustainability as a lens for
on-site study of social and environmental issues facing the island
nation of Bermuda.
Photo Gallery
Held from May 16-30, the three-credit course —“Discover Bermuda:
Adaptive Ecosystem Management, Sustainability and Socioeconomic
Issues — was offered in partnership with the Bermuda Aquarium,
Museum and Zoo. Three Bermuda
College students also participated.
The two-week course “embodied the University’s strategic objective
of providing a 21st century Vincentian education that combines
innovative teaching, community-based research and service,” said
Frank R. Cantelmo, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biological
Sciences at St. John’s. Dr. Cantelmo designed and led the
course.
Uniquely Interactive
By including students from such diverse disciplines as criminal
justice, environmental studies, childhood education, sociology,
journalism and business, Dr. Cantelmo explained, “the class was
able to explore Bermuda’s ecology, sociology, history and
environmental challenges from multiple perspectives.”
This dynamism was strengthened by the exchange of ideas with
students from Bermuda College as well as by the expert course
leaders who joined in the give-and-take. Lectures were given by
local scientific and environmental leaders as well as Bermuda
members of government.
“The course was mind-expanding and far different from the
traditional classroom experience,” said Dr. Cantelmo. “It was also
an opportunity for our students to work hand-in-hand with experts
in their fields as part of an informal learning community.”
The Big Picture of Bermuda
Guided by a far-ranging syllabus covering Bermuda’s biodiversity,
ecology, socioeconomics, history and geography, students went on
field trips to study sites, boat rides to observe coral reefs and
wetlands, and heard lectures on local marine life and bird
populations.
In particular, they were jarred by seeing the island’s fabled
beauty juxtaposed with the ravages of environmental pollution,
including airport dumps and ocean pollution. “Bermuda, like most
places in the world is struggling with sustainable development and
needs to take action now,” said Jacqueline Giblin, an environmental
studies major. She added, “I think it is unethical to let such an
environment go to waste.”
In their reflections, class participants noted that learning about
the island’s history and culture added an extra dimension to their
understanding of Bermuda’s environmental challenges. For example,
according to Joseph Palmeri, a criminal justice major, “the
Bermudian government has a history of making its island more of a
tourist attraction, sometimes at the expense of its
residents.”
A Life-Changing Experience
Reflecting St. John’s emphasis on service and social justice,
students also volunteered at a local orphanage—The Sunshine League
Children’s Home. Founded in 1919, the home has nurtured hundreds of
Bermuda’s needy children from 2-16, enabling them to become
successful members of the community.
“It was extremely intriguing to share experiences with the
children,” said Daniel Psomas, a criminal justice major. “We swam
with them, shared a buffet dinner with them and got to know each
other. I was able to learn about some of their hopes and dreams and
began to feel a real bond with the community.”
Daniel was especially impressed by one 12-year-old who revealed his
fondest dream: “He told me he wants to be a veterinarian,” Daniel
said.
The course ended with two days of writing instruction taught by
members of St. John’s Institute for Writing Studies to help the
students produce solution-oriented Executive Summaries on
environmental issues that require decisions. Some of the
topics included: airport dump pollution, conserving Warwick Long
Bay, Bermuda’s feral chickens and a proposal to relocate Bermuda’s
large cruise ships and cargo vessels.
According to Dr. Cantelmo, St. John’s expects to offer the course
again during the summer “pre-intersession” period next year.
It will continue to be open to students from all St. John’s Schools
and Colleges as well as Bermuda College students. In addition, a
special effort will be made to recruit participants from St. John’s
School of Risk Management. Service at the orphanage and writing
will remain integral components.
“Coming to Bermuda was one of the greatest experiences of my life,”
said participating St. John’s student, Jacqueline Giblin. “Every
day was different and exciting whether snorkeling and exploring
caves or learning about endangered species and of thinking of ways
to solve environmental issues. I feel blessed to have gone on this
trip.”
Student Course Reflections