BUS 369 – Green Information Systems

Four Credits, EXP
Two weeks on campus; two weeks in Iceland
Professor Keri Larson

Sustainability is currently one of the most important issues facing our world and will continue to be so for decades, as it will take substantial time and effort to reverse some of the most adverse environmental changes humans have caused. The ambition of sustainable (or green) Information Systems (IS) is to exploit technology and information to enable society to "meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Green Information System (IS) and Green Information Technology (IT) play a critical role in sustainable development, and Energy Informatics is an approach to addressing sustainability by reducing energy consumption. By learning about Energy Informatics, students enrolled in this class will gain multi-disciplinary knowledge they can use to contribute to a sustainable future.The course culminates with a two-week field study in Iceland comprising numerous site visits which include, depending on the year, locations such as Innovation Center Iceland, a Reykjavik-based clean-tech venture; Landsvirkjun, the national power company of Iceland; Bakki silicon refinery; Hellisheiði power station; Krafla power plant; Bjarnaflag geothermal station; and the Green by Iceland organization.

The time abroad includes numerous excursions throughout the country focused on the history, culture, geology, and economy of Iceland to help students better understand the significance of Iceland's shift to "extreme tech" to attain eco-sustainability. Overnight and day trips include such locations as Akureyri, "the capital of North Iceland;" Grábrók Volcano; Öxnadalur canyon; the Golden Circle including Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal zone, and Gullfoss waterfall; Kerið Crater; Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrafoss waterfalls; the Diamond Beach; Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon at the edge of the Vatnjökull glacier; the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara; Krysuvik geothermal zone; Lake Kleifarvatn; the "haunted" Gunnuhver hot springs; the Valahnúkamöl bird cliffs, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula including the Berserkjahraun lava fields, Vatnshellir cave, and the Snaefellsjokull glacier-capped stratovolcano; and the Diamond Circle including Lake Mývatn and Námafjall geothermal area.

Activities include, again depending on the year, such adventures as a walking tour of Reykjavik, horseback riding on Icelandic ponies, whale and puffin watching boat tours, lunch at the Ölverk geothermal brewery; botanical garden visits, geothermal swimming the Blue Lagoon, Forest Lagoon, or Secret Lagoon, exploration of such museums as the National Museum of Iceland, the Herring Era Museum, and the Whale Museum in Mývatn; a viewing of the Lava Show; and glacier hikes.

Program fee (Paid to W&L): $5,023
Includes programming, room, fees, transportation to and from the airport, and in-country transportation. Breakfast will be included nearly every day, as well as a few other lunches.

Additional costs: airfare, most lunches and dinners, cell phone, spending money, passport, and visa fees (if applicable).

Start New Application OR Resume Application

Applications open October 4th, 2024.

For further details, please contact Professor Larson (larsonk@wlu.edu).