This class offers you a unique opportunity to visit an interesting country you are unlikely to see otherwise. While the topic of the course is explored through a political science / international relations lens, the class should also be of potential benefit to students interested in:
Sociology: you can observe firsthand the socio-economic and cultural impacts of globalization, as well as the ways in which rural and urban communities transform and organize in response.
ENVI: you can learn about the socio-economic consequences of environmental and agri-food policy, while also observing the environmental impacts of traditional v. modern farming techniques. (We have a few days reserved for participating in activities on a small farm!)
Religion: given that the Orthodox Church has been an integral part of political, social, and cultural development in Romania, this course will visit several monasteries and interview members of the clergy.
Art: the course will visit art museums, as well as churches and monasteries designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their Byzantine frescoes and architecture; we will also meet craftsmen (ceramists, icon painters etc.) who use age-old techniques.
Business: you can learn about the development of small agritourism companies in a non-U.S. market, with a very different business and regulatory culture and with dual policy authority (Romanian and EU).
Romania: Food Politics and Globalization 