Asian Environmental Studies
The Asian Environmental Studies (AES) Initiative at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) began with the generous support of a Henry Luce Foundation from 2011 to 2015. The initiative builds on existing institutional strengths at HWS in Environmental Studies and Asian Studies, and seeks to infuse East Asia in a meaningful and substantive manner into teaching and research on human-environment relations at HWS. The initiative also seeks to catalyze AES work across the liberal arts community through curriculum workshops, collaborative research and teaching, symposia, study abroad, and other programs.
AES Events
Love-In with Elephants in Thailand
Recently, 27 HWS students spent three weeks in Thailand exploring the importance of love and compassion in Buddhist and Thai culture. The trip was the first of a new January-term program offered through the Center for Global Education. Proposed and developed by Professor of Women’s Studies Betty Bayer, the course, “The Revolutionary Power of a Love-In with Elephants: Environmentalism, Peace and Healing in Thailand,” was co-led by Bayer and Associate Professor of Art and Architecture Mark Jones.
Energy Expert Amory Lovins Speaks at HWS
Amory Lovins, Co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Scientist at Rocky Mountain Institute, kicked off the 2013 Hobart and William Smith Colleges President’s Forum Speaker Series Thursday, September 13, 2012. Amory’s talk, “Reinventing Fire: Bold Business Solutions for the New Energy Era” showcased the work done in RMI’s most recent major initiative, Reinventing Fire.
