Ghana

The course covers the origins and development of various groups of people and their lifestyles during prehistoric times in West Africa against the background of a changing natural environment. Themes include hunter-gatherer and food-producing economies, prehistoric stone technology, prehistoric crafts and arts, indigenous farming systems, and the use of paleontology, geomorphology, and various dating schemes that pertain to archaeological research in West Africa.

This experiential course features concentrated study, lectures, roundtables, field trips, and interactions with the people of Ghana. The course involves an in-depth examination of Ghanaian history, culture, governance, family and society, gender issues, and development challenges. The course includes language instruction; language practice situations in the field; dance lessons; drumming lessons; and field excursions to culturally and historically significant sites in Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast. It introduces students to practical skills and provides information to help students adjust to living in Ghana. 

This course discusses major categories and sources of air pollution, dangers of some air and water pollutants, dangers of stratospheric ozone depletion and radon in indoor air, types and effects of water pollution, thermal pollution and thermal shocks, damages of air pollution, control and monitoring of pollution, acid rain and deposition, air pollution control, status of water quality in developed and developing countries, groundwater problems, and human waste disposal.

This course introduces students to the nature, types, structure, and dynamics of international conflicts as well as the mechanisms used in addressing them. It explores the conflict behavior of states at the international arena, the impact of such behavior, and the likely conflict resolution mechanisms needed to address them. Also, the course keeps students abreast with post-conflict peace building strategies; the role of international institutions such as the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and ad-hoc tribunals in addressing human rights violations during periods of transitions and the general role of culture in these endeavors.