June 15 through August 6, 2009
The Department of Geography's 8 week Summer Program in Oaxaca, Mexico is designed for a small group of students to travel to Mexico and gain valuable insights into the environment, culture and problematics of development in Oaxaca. While analyzing the problems this area faces, groups will visit and interview people who have begun to develop their own solutions to Oaxaca's problems.
About Oaxaca
The program is based in the City of Oaxaca, in the southeastern part of Mexico. Oaxaca's city center with its outdoor cafes and its historic buildings offer a glimpse of Mexico's colonial past, while the new settlements spreading up the hillsides and the ongoing protests in the Zocalo, the main plaza, point to some of the more problematic issues facing this area.
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. more information about Oaxaca state
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. One week will be devoted to a village stay . The program will be supplemented by an optional 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-Friday for 2 hours every day for the first 6 weeks of the program, to give the students ample background and time to brush up on their language skills. There will be some interruption in the schedule for the full day field visits. 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 two 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 problems and their solutions
the alternatives to development
These classes will consist of lectures, given by the faculty, and visits by local guest speakers from different non-governmental Organizations. 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 in the afternoon, 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. For more information, consult the preliminary syllabus.
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. We will also see a community that took over a state owned logging company and is now trying to use their forests in a different way.
Coastal trip (4 days): This trip to the coast of Oaxaca will visit a variety of community projects aimed at environmental issues and the rights of indigenous people, e.g. Lagoon of Manialtepec. Those on the trip will also visit a finca, a coffee growing area in the mountains rising up from the coast. As this trip takes place at the beginning of the weekend, students who decide to do so, may stay the weekend at the beach.
On the coast, there will be several meetings with non-governmental organizations, located in Oaxaca, in order to hear their views on issues discussed in class. Among them are ecological groups, indigenous organizations and women's organizations.
In addition, the program includes a one week village stay, where students will be dropped off at different villages and will experience first hand living conditions in rural Oaxaca. This will give students the opportunity to participate in the lives of the people and to gain an insight into the rhythm of community life for one week. Through this participation, students will gain a much better insight into the meaning of development, and gain an appreciation and respect for the viewpoints of different people.
Grading
The final grade for the undergraduate students will be based on a weekly journal in which students relate the readings and issues in class with their own observations and experiences from field trips, combined with a final essay. Graduate students will supplement these requirements with a preliminary research paper of 10 pages.
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 406G, GEO 399, GEO 706, GEO 712 with approval of their academic advisor. (Summer 2- section 201)
Tuition and other costs
2009 Program Fee:
Resident Undergraduate: $3636
Resident Graduate: $3757
Non-resident: $3976
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)
- Dinners and incidentals (~$840)
- Airfare (~800)
Other possible expenses include:
- Passport ($100)
- Personal spending money (varies)
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
Application Deadlines:
EA General Application due March 1
EA Packet II due April 1
Applications will be accepted until the program is full.
For more information please contact study abroad:
www.uky.edu/IntlAffairs/EA
Application Packet
Education Abroad Packet
Education Abroad Scholarship Application
Flight Information
Students are to arrive before 6/12. the earliest departure date is 8/8.
For further information please contact
Tad Mutersbaugh, Dept. of Geography, e-mail: mutersba@uky.edu
Oliver Froehling e-mail: oliverrf@prodigy.net.mx
