Enst 427: Society, Economy and Environment of the Mekong Delta (3 credits)

The University of Montana

ENST 437: Climate Change Effects and Adaptation in the Mekong Delta (3 credits)

Dr. Nicky Phear, Climate Change Studies. Several professors from Can Tho University will also provide major contributions to the program, as indicated in the itinerary.

This travel seminar course integrates two co-requisite courses: Society, Economy and Environment in the Mekong Delta and Climate Change Effects and Adaptation in the Mekong Delta. The goal of the program is to use the Mekong Delta case to explore the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change in a tropical, developing country context. Adaptation strategies and mitigation opportunities will be emphasized, and comparisons will be made with the North American context.

Expected student learning outcomes include:

• 
  Understanding the historical climate and distribution and ecological diversity of natural ecosystems in the Mekong Delta;
  
• 
  Developing an understanding of the ecology and ecosystem services provided by large floodplain rivers, like the Mekong River, and mangrove ecosystems in the Mekong Delta;
  
• 
  Developing an understanding of the historical and contemporary political and socio-economic contexts in which the Mekong River and Delta in Vietnam have been managed.
  
• 
  Understanding the current land uses, including land management practices in the Mekong Delta;
  
• 
  Understanding the condition and causes of the current state of health of natural ecosystems in the Mekong Delta;
  
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  Developing an appreciation of the socio-economic condition and common livelihood activities of people living in the Delta, including agriculture and aquaculture development and management practices;
  
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  Understanding the growing importance of tourism for local livelihoods and the economy of the Mekong Delta;
  
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  Developing an understanding of the perceptions and attitudes that local people have about their environment, including climate change impacts, and possible adaptation strategies;
  
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  Understanding the historical and contemporary anthropogenic impacts on the Mekong Delta and how the Mekong River and the Delta’s ecosystems affect peoples’ lives; and,
  
• 
  Recognizing complexities in Mekong Delta management due to the river catchment spanning Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and China.
  

There are no prerequisites, but eligible students must be accepted by the University of Montana and be in good academic standing at their home institution.

Students are required to attend three compulsory two-hour pre-trip meetings, one in October, one in November and third in December, for an introduction to the program and to discuss preparations for the trip. You should also be prepared for about twenty hours of pre-departure coursework, including required readings and one required essay, to be written before the program in Vietnam begins.

1. 
   Vietnam: Rising Dragon. (2011) by B. Hayton. (New Haven & London: Yale University Press); ISBN: 9780300152036 (paper).
   

2. 
   Vietnam Study Abroad Manual.
   
3. 
   State Department Background Notes on Vietnam.
   
4. 
   Lonely Planet Vietnam Travel Guide (not the Hanoi and Halong Bay travel guide). Provides an introduction to the history and culture of the country, along with travel tips.
   

5. 
   Economist. (2010). Adapting to climate change: Facing the consequences. Nov. 25. Print Edition.
   

6. 
   Be, N.V. Lecture 1: Introduction to Mangroves. PowerPoint presentation given to UM Vietnam Wintersession class, January, 2011.
   
   
   
7. 
   Be, N.V. Lecture 2: Mangrove Management in the Mekong Delta. PowerPoint presentation given to UM Vietnam Wintersession class, January, 2011.
   
   
   
8. 
   Be, N.V. Lecture 3: Mangrove and Shrimp Farming Systems. PowerPoint presentation given to UM Vietnam Wintersession class, January, 2011.
   

9. 
   Be, N.V. Lecture 4: Shrimp farming in Coastal Zone in the Mekong Delta. PowerPoint presentation given to UM Vietnam Wintersession class, January, 2011.
   

10. 
    Bich, L.D. An Introduction to The Rural Culture of Southern Vietnam.
    
11. 
    Bich, L.D. Communication and Culture Forming.
    
12. 
    Mong, A. (2007). A farmer’s son tried to save the Mekong Delta. World Blog.
    
13. 
    Ni, D.V.. The Mekong Delta of Vietnam: Development and Environment. PowerPoint presentation given to UM Vietnam Wintersession class, January, 2011.
    

14. 
    Field Trip Background Information on Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Va Kien Giang.
    

15. 
    Safford, R.J. et al. (1988) “Melaleuca Wetlands and Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.” In The Wetlands Handbook, E. Maltby and T Barker, eds.
    

16. 
    “Conservation: The Future of Vietnam’s Living World” in Vietnam: A Natural History. (2006) E.J. Sterling, M.M Hurley, and Le Duc Minh. (New Haven & London: Yale University Press), 349-377.
    

17. 
    Van Ni, et al. (2007). Integrated water and fire management strategy for Tram Chim National Park, Vietnam. Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme.
    
    
    
18. 
    Nga, T.T., Tram Chim Water Management lecture. PowerPoint presentation given to UM Vietnam Wintersession class, January, 2011.
    
    
    
19. 
    Nga, T.T. Wetland Lecture Intro. PowerPoint presentation given to UM Vietnam Wintersession class, January, 2011.
    

20. 
    SEAT Program at Can Tho University.
    
21. 
    White, I. (2002). Water management in the Mekong: Changes, conflicts & opportunities. International Hydrological Programme. UNESCO, Paris. pp. 5-24.
    
22. 
    Race to the Bottom: Burma and Vietnam head in opposite directions on human rights. http://www.hrw.org/print/news/2012/11/07/race-bottom-burma-and-vietnam-head-opposite-directions-human-rights.
    
23. 
    The Conservation of Key Wetland Sites in the Mekong Delta. BirdLife International report.
    
24. 
    Wetlands Management in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta: An Overview of the Pressures and Responses. By Magnus Torell and Albert M. Salamanca.
    

Vietnam: A History, by Stanley Karnow (1997)

The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien (2009)

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War, by Karl Marlantes (2011)

Students and the University of Montana instructors will meet early in Spring semester for a two-hour de-brief and final synthesis of the program. You should also be prepared for about ten hours of final coursework to complete course assignments once you return from Vietnam.

While we are in Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City we will have access to hotel wireless internet connection and internet cafes. This level of access should be sufficient for keeping in touch with friends and family via email, as well as submitting your written work to Prof. Phear via email. You are strongly encouraged to bring along a laptop computer if you do have access to one, as we will do this class as a paperless course. Please always keep your laptop with you in your carry-on luggage while travelling, and be sure to bring a power adapter.

The following table outlines the assessment for the program. There are five assessment items (including two response essays).

Students will each write one, 500-600 word weblog entry on a particular topic of interest that you expect will emerge from our experiences and course learning. By Friday, December 13, you will need to send Nicky a list of two to three possible topics you may want to cover. These blog posts will be edited and posted on a blog site. Check out student blog posts from the past three classes at http://umvietnamstudy.wordpress.com/ to get ideas for topics. More detailed instructions and guidelines for blog writing will be provided separately.

Students are expected to keep a personal journal with daily entries chronicling experiences and observations and interactions with guest speakers. Guidelines for writing journal entries will be provided separately. Due at end of week after return to the U.S.: 5:00 pm January 23.

• 
  Mr Nguyen Tuan Khan, Introduction to Vietnam
  
• 
  US Consulate meeting
  
• 
  Dr. Pham Le Thong, Economy of Mekong Delta
  
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  Dr. Nguyen Huu Chiem, Sustainable development in the Mekong Delta
  
• 
  Mr. Ly Quoc Dang, Delta Youth Alliance, Environmental Issues on Con Son Island
  
• 
  Speakers from Heifer Project International
  

Active participation in all scheduled program–related activities is required, including group meetings, discussions, field excursions, as well as lectures and any other scheduled activities. Your participation grade will be based on both your academic and experiential participation. I expect active engagement in class discussions, with course speakers and academic activities. I also expect you to participate in the necessary practical aspects of the course, including respect for local customs and culture, safety consciousness, following directions, and timeliness. Please be conscious of being open to new perspectives and aware of judgments we carry from the USA.

Attendance and lateness policy

This trip is taking place during Vietnamese dry season (some locals refer to this period as “winter”); the most comfortable time of year for outdoor activities in the Mekong Delta. The average daily minimum and maximum temperatures in Can Tho in January are 22ºC (72ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF), respectively. The average daily humidity in January is 71% and average monthly precipitation is about two inches (compared to 89% and 19 inches in August!). Nevertheless, accept that you are probably going to be hot and sticky whenever you are moving around outside. Drink plenty of water. These conditions also make it important to bathe regularly and not to let dirty clothes accumulate in piles. Keep ahead of your laundry pile by washing clothes regularly and hang dirty clothes to air out if you are not washing them right away, or use the laundry services at the Guesthouse.

Visit your doctor, the Curry Health Center, or the Missoula County Health Clinic to find out what vaccinations you may require before travelling to Vietnam, and medication to prevent contracting malaria (such as Malarone) and for treating an upset stomach (such as Azithromycin). You should seriously consider being immunized against typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, tetanus and polio.

In general, Vietnam has a conservative dress code. Dress code laws do not appear to be strictly enforced in Vietnam, but regulations governing Vietnam’s historic sites and tourist attractions state that, “Entry is forbidden to tourists wearing sleeveless shirts or shorts”. At universities and cultural sites and other tourist attractions, plan to wear long pants or longer skirts or dresses. Long or short-sleeve shirts are acceptable. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not acceptable. Dirty clothes are not acceptable.

In Can Tho, all students will enjoy a homestay experience for a few days with a local family. Although we will be busy with other learning activities during your home stay, this experience will help you to appreciate life and culture in Vietnam, and hopefully discover some things about yourself. You will find your hosts to be friendly and open with you, but remember that to make the most of your experience you will need to reciprocate and spend time with your family. You will be expected to behave as a self-supporting adult member of the household. Be aware of and sensitive to how your presence can contribute positively and negatively to the family. More information about the homestay will be provided at a pre-departure meeting and in Vietnam.

Make sure you have with you each day:

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  sturdy, closed-toed shoes;
  
• 
  at least one liter of water (Avoid drinking tap water. We will be buying bottled water);
  
• 
  field notebook, pencils/pens and a map of the Mekong Delta to get you oriented (you can obtain from bookstores in Can Tho);
  
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  hat, sunglasses and sunscreen;
  
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  insect repellant (consider wearing light-colored, light-weight long sleeve shirts and long pants if you are particularly concerned about insect bites);
  
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  rain gear and a dry shirt;
  
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  snacks to eat in between meals provided if you think you will need them;
  
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  any medication or medical supplies you might require; toilet paper and hand wipes;
  
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  binoculars and camera (optional).
  

Academic honesty

Any student with a disability who needs an accommodation or other assistance in this course must contact the instructor at least four weeks before the program begins. After that time, we cannot guarantee that such needs can be accommodated. Some activities involve moderate exercise, such as hiking and swimming and participation is voluntary for all students. If you are a vegetarian, please let the instructor know and we will do our best to accommodate you in meals and let your family know for home-stays. Note: it is not always possible to have a vegetarian option in some situations, such as when we are being hosted by a rural family. The course instructor will try to let you know when this may be the case. It will be helpful for you to carry some snacks or other foods you can eat in these circumstances.

Conduct regulations