GRS 195: Bicycles, Globalization, and Sustainability.

GRS 195: Bicycles, Globalization, and Sustainability. In recent years the bicycle has been enjoying a renaissance as a form of sustainable urban transportation in many major cities throughout the world, primarily as city governments and activists seek ways to reduce the social, health, and environmental problems caused by automobile pollution and congestion. In addition to exploring this global phenomenon, this course examines a number of issues relevant to understanding the complex connections between globalization and urban sustainability. These themes include: theorizing contemporary forms of urban mobility and how transportation technologies, specifically the bicycle, relate to social change; the dynamic role of the bicycle around the world (primarily Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America) as a form of transportation; and the current adoption of the bicycle by urban environmental movements. This course will offer many opportunities to directly explore how issues around sustainability and cycling play out in Burlington, through bicycle "fieldtrips" to local organizations involved in transportation and sustainability.Wednesday Luis brought his class by to hear  Glenn talk about the evolution of the bicycle. 3 credits or not I think this class is an excellent addition to any course catalouge.