Course Descriptions

 

Crossing Borders:
Gender and Social Change in Mesoamerica

A semester abroad program of the
Center for Global Education at Augsburg College 

 

See Complete Program Syllabi

 

Core Courses

Most students take the following three core courses, plus an optional fourth course:

 

Spanish 

(Spanish 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 316, 332, 356 or 411) 

• See Spanish course options listed below.

Women, Gender, and Social Change in Latin America 
(Political Science or Women’s Studies 359)

• Explore gender politics in both the private and public realms.

• Discuss the impact of globalization and neoliberal economic policies on men and women in Latin America.

• Learn about political organizing efforts around issues of domestic and political violence, sexual and reproductive rights, sexual orientation, ecology, democracy, economic & political participation, human rights, and revolutionary social change.
  
  Sample Class Sessions 

  • Discussion of grassroots organizing efforts with women who work in the assembly plants along the U.S.-Mexico border 

  • Performance & discussion of a one-act play regarding gender roles in Mexico 

  • Guest lectures by women representatives of the Mexican Legislative Assembly regarding women in Mexican politics 

  • Field trip to an indigenous village in Chiapas; discussion with indigenous women about human rights, militarization, and the conflict in Chiapas 

  • Field trip to an organization representing mothers and families of the disappeared in Guatemala;

  • discussion about political activism with the leaders of the organization 

Latin American Liberation Theologies (Religion or Women's Studies 366)

• Explore the relationship between theology and social/political transformation in Latin America.

• Study Christian theologies of liberation, including feminist theologies, and analyze and their social, political, and gender implications in contemporary Latin America. 
  
  Sample Class Sessions: 

  • Guest lecture by U.S. church leaders involved in the “Sanctuary Movement” in Tucson, Arizona 

  • Field trip to see the Diego Rivera mural depicting the conquest of Cuernavaca at the Cortez Palace; discussion of Conquest Theology 

  • Guest lecture by a liberation theologian on Latin American Liberation Theology 

  • Field trips to base Christian community (BCC) meetings in Cuernavaca 

  • Discussion of Feminist Theology with Mexican women 

  • Guest lectures by church leaders in El Salvador on the relevance of liberation theology today.

Other Course Options
In addition to the three courses listed above, students who plan to take a full course load should also choose one of the following:

 

1.  A second SPANISH Course
(Spanish 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 316, 356 or 411)

• See Spanish course options listed below

 

OR

 

2. Internship Seminar

(Interdisciplinary Studies, Political Science, *Spanish, or Women’s Studies 399)

• Gain  80-100 hours of work experience &/or participant observation in a Mexican organization.

• Participate in an ongoing seminar that explores cultural issues, organizational analysis, and personal and professional development.

Note:  A limited number of internships are available to students who have adequate Spanish-language proficiency and whose skills match the needs of local organizations seeking interns.  Those seeking Spanish credit must receive approval from the department chair before registering.

 

OR

 

3. Independent Study Seminar

(Interdisciplinary Studies, Political Science, Religion, Spanish, or Women’s Studies 499)

• Conduct independent, field-based or book-based research on a topic related to your major, career goals, or personal interest.

• Collaborate with an instructor who will provide guidance in making use of local resources and participate in an ongoing seminar that explores fieldwork methods and cultural and ethical issues.

• Get a head start on your senior thesis, capstone project, or other significant project. 

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Spanish Course Options

 

Beginning Spanish I & II  (Spanish 111 or 112)

• Develop the four basic skills: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of elementary Spanish.

Intermediate Spanish I & II (SPA 211 or 212)

• Review all of the basic structures of Spanish and build conversational skills through class discussions and the reading of selected Latin American texts.

Intermediate & Advanced Conversation and Composition (SPA 311 or 411

• Enrich your vocabulary and improve facility and correctness of written and oral expression through conversation, formal oral presentations, and several written compositions.

Conversations in Cultural Context (Spanish 316)

• Aims to improve oral fluency through debates, oral reports, and discussion of contemporary issues in Latin America.

Latin American Civilization & Culture (Spanish 332)

• A study of the cultural heritage of the Spanish American countries from the pre-Columbian civilizations to the present.

Latin American Literature: 20th-Century Voices (Spanish 356)

• Examine issues of social change through the voices of contemporary Latin American writers. (For bilingual students & those who have already completed all other 300-level courses.)

Internship Seminar (Spanish 399)

• See description in “Other Course Offerings” above.

• Be sure to seek approval from your Spanish department chair before registering for this course.

Independent Study Seminar (Spanish 499)

• See description in “Other Course Offerings” above.

• Be sure to seek approval from your Spanish department chair before registering for this course.

 

See Complete Program Syllabi