Kenya model: Development and implementation of an overseas study course on African wildlife ecology and management

The brochure declares: “What better place to study a diversity of wildlife species and ecosystems than Kenya’s spectacular National Parks and Conservation Areas?” Enticing! Exhilarating! A once in a life time experience! African Wildlife Ecology and Management in Kenya is an intensive two and a half week overseas study program offered by Michigan State University’s (MSU) Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Through this hands-on experience, students apply wildlife management principles to issues in Kenya’s National Parks and Conservation Areas. Planning and coordination of this course requires a year’s worth of thoughtful preparation in order to provide students with a dynamic yet placid in-country experience. To better aid other educators and coordinators in development and implementation of similar courses, we present a detailed account of the history and evolution of African Wildlife Ecology and Management in Kenya. How was this course conceived? How was support garnered from the University? What is required for developing such a course? Furthermore, we present information on why different sites within Kenya were selected and how the order of visitation to these sites allows for a logical progression and increasingly more elaborate acquisition of knowledge of course material. Finally, we describe the various projects assigned to students and the rational for assigning them; the basis for using student groups throughout the in-country experience; the use of alternative forms of assessment to evaluate student learning; assigned readings and course packet development and contents; and implications of limited time and lack of technology while in-country.