June 11 through August 3, 2012
The Department of Geography's 8 week Summer Program in Oaxaca, Mexico is carried out in conjunction with other Universities such as University of Arizona and American University. It is designed for a small group of students to travel to Mexico and gain valuable insights into the environment, culture and social justice issues in Oaxaca. It has a strong emphasis on looking at issues by providing a global context and examining alternative ways of creating local solutions.
About Oaxaca
The program is based in the City of Oaxaca, capital of Oaxaca state in the southeastern part of Mexico. In its vibrant city center with its outdoor cafes and its historic buildings, the colonial past provides the backdrop for street vendors, marches and artistic expressions. It is a place shared by people from different classes and parts of the world.
The program also includes several fieldtrips into the countryside. The state of Oaxaca is in itself a world of many worlds. The state's ecosystems range from deserts and high mountain cloud forests to tropical rainforests and coastal regions, yielding the greatest geographical range and biodiversity in Mexico.
Oaxaca’s human geography is equally diverse. Sixteen indigenous groups, each with its own distinct language, culture and tradition, comprise two thirds of the state's population. The indigenous communities base themselves in their communal life and provide a different perspective on life experience in the contemporary world. These communities are on the forefront of political change in Mexico and are transforming the political landscape with their demands for autonomy and respect for their culture. more information about indigenous people in Mexico
Information about the Program
The class will consist of regular class time, interrupted by field visits, some of which last several days. The last three weeks will be devoted to an independent study. The program will be supplemented by an intensive language class with local teachers. While this class is optional, it is highly encouraged for all participants. Students will be assigned a level according to their language skills. These classes will meet in the morning from Monday-Thursday for 2 hours every day for the first 4 weeks of the program, to give the students ample background and time to brush up on their language skills. Upon return to Lexington, the students will have the opportunity to test out of the equivalent of the language classes they have taken in Oaxaca.
The geography classes will meet in the morning after the Spanish class. The classes will first give an introduction to the history and geography of Mexico and Oaxaca. Then they will move into the specialized areas, namely
the rights of indigenous people, who make up a majority of the state's population
environmental and social problems and their solutions
the alternatives to development: different conceptions and ways to create a good life.
These classes will consist of lectures, given by faculty, and visits by local guest speakers ranging from academics over activists to government officials. We will take full advantage of the small class size, so there will be ample room for discussions. We will reinforce the issues discussed in class through field visits and village stays. As such, even though a typical day will mean classes in the morning and free afternoons, many of the days will not be typical, as we will travel to various sites in the state to meet with different people and organizations. Weekends will of course be free, and there are variety of entertainment options available.
Field Visits and Village Stays
During the field visits students will have the chance to appreciate the many facets of the state and will have a chance to directly observe the issues discussed in class. In the past these visits have included:
Archaeological site Monte Alban: A short way out of the city, these ruins offer a glimpse of the splendor of prehispanic civilization.
Ecotourism project in the Sierra Juárez : Located in the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, this trip offers a view of the rapidly changing mountain ecology, ranging from cloud forests, at about 10,000ft altitude, to humid tropical forests, all within a days walk. It is a look at how indigenous communities successfully manage their forests and deal with pressures from transnational mining and logging companies.
In addition, the program includes a one week independent study period, where students, with the help of faculty, plan and carry out a small research project of their own in a place of their choosing.
Faculty
The faculty for this session consists of Tad Mutersbaugh and Oliver Froehling. The Spanish classes will be given by local experienced langage teachers. In addition we count on the support and guest lectures by Gustavo Esteva, a renowned writer and intellectual from Oaxaca who has written a number of books on economics and development and is now heavily involved in the movement for indigenous rights in Oaxaca, as well as experienced guest speakers from a variety of NGOs
Prerequisites
The prerequisites are one year of college level Spanish, minimum sophomore standing and approval of the instructor. Students will also be required to show proof of international health and accident insurance.
Registration
Students will enroll in up to nine hours of the following courses: GEO 365, GEO 565, GEO 406G, GEO 399, GEO 706, GEO 712 with approval of their academic advisor. (Summer 2- section 201)
Tuition and other costs
2011 Program Fee:
Resident Undergraduate: $4120
Resident Graduate: $4498
Non-resident: $4255
Fee Includes:
- Tuition for 9 UK GPA credits
- ISP 599 (1 credit hour) and administrative fees
- All lodging, ground transportation, tours and program expenses for eight weeks
- Spanish language instruction
- Travel Medical Insurance
Items NOT included in the Program Fee:
- EA at UK Application Fee ($50)
- Airfare (~$800)
Other possible expenses include:
- Passport ($135)
- Personal spending money (varies)
Program fee Payment Schedule:
$500 program deposit is due on 3/15/2011. The deposit will be charged to UK student account.
The rest of the program fee (program fee total - $500 deposit) will be charged to UK student account during the first week of June 2011.
Fees may be paid by check, cash or credit card. Please contact Education Abroad at UK (EA) for more details. 257-4067 ext 252; EducationAbroad@uky.edu ; www.uky.edu/IntlAffairs/EA
Program Cancellation Policy:
If an applicant withdraws from a UK-Sponsored program:
- Less than 30 days prior to the program's official start date, the applicant will be financially responsible for half of the program deposit, or any non-recoverable costs* associated with the program fee at the time of withdrawal (whichever is greater).
- After the program's official start date, the student will be financially responsible for the entire program fee.
*Non-recoverable costs include any financial commitments (such as housing deposits, field trip pre-payments, etc) made on behalf of the applicant. These costs vary by program and typically increase closer to the departure date. Calculation of these costs may take time as the Education Abroad staff determines the refund policies of vendors and whether exceptions can be made.
If the program is cancelled, all fees will be refunded.
Fees may be paid by check, cash or credit card.
Please contact Education Abroad at UK (EA) for more details. 257-4067 ext 252; EducationAbroad@uky.edu
http://abroad.ad.uky.edu/
Application Deadlines:
EA General Application due April 1
Applications will be accepted until the program is full.
For further information please contact
Tad Mutersbaugh, Dept. of Geography, e-mail: mutersba@uky.edu
Oliver Froehling e-mail: oliverrf@prodigy.net.mx
