Course Description

 This course introduces various notions of development, and explores several technological innovations necessary to enhance the quality of life in these communities. The course also prepares students to focus on specific issues, such as the need for potable water, low-cost agricultural processing equipment, basic sanitation, and affordable energy, specifically in targeted communities where students may travel during summer or school break. Students will develop working relationships with partnering institutions in developing nations to ensure that the field trips provide both a learning opportunity and an international social network to test the viability of technological solutions jointly crafted by the students and the hosting communities.

D-Lab-1 is organized in three parts:  The first part of the course provides historical understanding of why conventional developmental efforts have not enhanced the quality of life of low-income households and communities. This is followed by a series of hands-on workshops in which students learn practical approaches towards addressing these issues.  These workshops are interspersed with discussions of case studies, led by eminent guest speakers who have innovated and implemented intermediate technological solutions in specific topic areas such as: energy, lighting systems, agricultural technologies, low-cost housing, water, sanitation, micro enterprises, cooking fuel, and health. The discussion of case studies also provides students the opportunity to select a problem area for deeper engagement. The third part of the course is focused on the targeted problem area, by sensitizing students to the realities of fieldwork in unfamiliar settings, and discussing how to build enduring institutional relationships with communities for future collaboration. The students work in small groups studying the history, culture, language, economy and politics of targeted communities to understand the context within which their particular technological innovations must be embedded.

Course Goals

• Gain awareness of communities in the developing world and the technical challenges they face
• Learn about appropriate technologies for developing communities, their impact, and how they can be conceived, designed and implemented
• Understand the role Cal Poly can play in helping and advancing developing communities throughout the world
• Learn the hands-on skills required to implement selected development projects
• Gain exposure to the culture, history, economic and developmental state of the host countries
• Work with community organizations to prepare field projects for the IAP fieldtrips

Required Text and Readings

Required reading material will be posted in Blackboard.