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This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Social Context

  • Global System for Sustainable Development Database

    Submit 10 websites for the Global System for Sustainable Development (GSSD) database via "Submit Site.

    Read more: Global System for Sustainable Development Database

  • Final Paper

    The final paper must be between 4000 and 5000 words and should either address in greater depth one of the case studies explored in class or develop a different case defined by an activist, movement, or event involving science activism after 1945 anywhere around the world.

    Read more: Final Paper

  • Week 4: Reading Guide

    Each week’s readings will be accompanied by a set of guiding questions. As you read the materials, take notes about key messages as well as questions you have. Class discussions will center around these.

    Read more: Week 4: Reading Guide

  • Quiz 2

    This is a quiz, with open-ended questions from D-Lab I: Development.

    Read more: Quiz 2

  • Living with AIDS

    If you can't make it to the evening film screening, view DVD of Living with AIDS (On the Frontlines of AIDS) on your own time prior to class in Ses #30.

    Read more: Living with AIDS

  • Practicing Poverty

    For the next week, limit your spending to $2 per day. Try to minimize your reliance on pre-existing resources (such as using food that is in the pantry, eating your room-mates leftovers etc.).

    Read more: Practicing Poverty

  • Sector Paper

    Write a five-page paper (double-spaced, not including figures, tables or pictures) describing the current state of affairs in your country in one of the sectors that we have studied in class:

    Read more: Sector Paper

  • Drowned Out

    If you can't make it to the evening film screening, view DVD of Drowned Out on your own time prior to class on Ses #25.

    Read more: Drowned Out

  • Discussion Questions: Mastering the Machine 3

    See [Smillie], pp. 44-66. Please answer the following questions (maximum 2 single-spaced pages), using examples from the book where applicable.

    1. According to the reading, what are some of the major reasons why NGOs and the Third Sector developed such an important role in what we call 'international development'?
    2. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of NGO organizational structure? Use some examples from the reading.
    3. What is meant by 'civil society'? In what ways might the concepts described by this term influenced the development of D-Lab philosophy?
    Read more: Discussion Questions: Mastering the Machine 3

  • Personal Energy Consumption

    Determine your average daily energy consumption (in kWh). For this assignment, you can take into account only the electricity that you use, though you should be aware that there are additional energy expenditures in terms of transportation, heating, manufacturing processes to make the products that you use, etc. You should submit this as a table showing your energy consumption (power x time) for a few days and then come up with an average value.

    Read more: Personal Energy Consumption

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