This fall semester I will be offering a graduate seminar focused on Technology, Globalization, and Sustainable Development (UAP 5784; 3 Credits).
Book Review: “This astonishing book is a terrific summary of informa¬tion for those seeking feasible alternatives to the pursuit of infinite growth.” Dennis Meadows, co-author of The Limits to Growth
The seminar will meet on Fridays from 12:30pm to 3:15pm, in the Architecture Annex, room 111.
The seminar is designed to provide students with a transdisciplinary perspective on sustainable development. It is intended for students interested in planning, policy, economics, business, innovation, environmental studies, and law. The seminar will explore the many dimensions of sustainability and how national, multinational, and international political and legal mechanisms can be used to further sustainable development.
During the seminar we will consider the inter-relationship of global economic changes, inequality, employment, worker health and safety, and environment in the context of theories of development, trade, technical and organizational innovation, and employment. Mechanisms for resolving the apparent conflicts between these elements will be explored.
This new book will be available 2014/2015.
The seminar is intended to stimulate discussion and critical thinking on the key writings in sustainable development. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their mastery of the materials through (1) written assignments and (2) class participation and attendance. The seminar has two required texts (see images) that will be supplemented by topical readings tailored to student interests.
During the semester, I will use Google Glass and other video capture devices/software to provide students with enhanced feedback on their assignments and performance in the seminar.
Ralph P Hall 
Hi Ralph!
I would love to participate in your course on technology for low resource settings. Could I audit the course? I already completed my MPH as planned in May.
Andy and I traveled with to Malawi 3 weeks in July with three VT engineering students( one ME and one EE graduate, who are staying to get Masters, and one rising senior ME). The students brought prototypes and made demonstration presentations of several pediatric medical devices and a lab device for low resource settings at 8 hospitals from southern to northern Malawi. The purpose was to show devices developed through Pediatric Medical Device Institute by engineering students, and get feedback on devices use, requested modifications, and sustainability. We also carried Google glass provided by our new Carilion Clinic pediatric surgeon to see if it could be used for medcial consultation and test if it would transmit back to US. Would you like to see the presentations the students have prepared now that they are back?
Dr. Penny Muelenaer