Wicked Water Issues Immersive Course
A unique fieldwork opportunity in Traverse City
This 3-credit course engages students with place-based learning opportunities, including field experiences on the water and interaction with local stakeholders who help to address “wicked” water issues. Through participatory research, students will gain experience and a deeper understanding of the complexity of wicked problem-solving. Interdisciplinary aspects of the environment, health, economic and social issues related to water will be explored.
Watch the video recap of our Summer 2023 course.
Space is Limited!
This once every other year experience has limited seats.
Join our mailing list to be the first to know when registration opens. This course is open to all majors at Grand Valley State University, including health majors studying the effects of PFAS on human health.
Course Details
INT 322 Wicked Problems of Sustainability
Dates: May 5th -24 2025
- 5/5-5/10 and 5/17-5/24 offered online asynchronously
- 5/11-5/16 is an immersive experience offered in-person in Traverse City
- Course capacity: 15
Led by Professor. Kate Fairman, this 3-week intensive course is hybrid, both online and in-person
- Week 1 - online instruction and learning
- Week 2 - immersive in-person participation in Traverse City
- Week 3 - final week of online learning and reflection
The course meets online asynchronously May 5-24th. The course meets in-person for a place-based component in Traverse City, MI May 11-16th at various times during the day throughout the week. Each day will include a field activity, whether kayaking, biking, hiking or sailing. Students can expect to be out in the elements, rain or shine. Students will also meet in the classroom, conference room or in the field with community stakeholders. The course meets online asynchronously May 20-27th. Students are responsible for their transportation to Traverse City and for lodging. There is a course fee of $245 to support experiential learning associated with the in-person components of the course. Part of the Sustainability Issue. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
Sail on the Tall Ship
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Visit the Brown Bridge
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Kayak the Boardman
In-Person Week Agenda
In Traverse City
All in person meeting dates, May 11th-16th and day trips are mandatory in order to pass this course.
May 11th-12th Orient to the week ahead, discuss projects, visit wetlands and consider groundwater and other water issues as they impact the environment and human health.
May 13th Sail on Inland Sea's research schooner, visit rain gardens and engage in conversations related to issues of microplastics, PFAs.
May 14th Kayak the Boardman River, visit dam site. Participate in water testing analysis.
May 15th Explore urban issues, bike riding around Boardman Lake, community stakeholder presentations.
May 16th Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, depart in the afternoon.
Please review the Policies and Guidelines as related to this course, if you require Disability Support Services please contact the office at 616.331.3880 or email [email protected]
*Subject to change with weather conditions
Bike the Boardman Loop
Study Invasive Species
Questions
Contact: GVSU Traverse City Regional Center
Email: [email protected]
Office: 231.995.1785