Gender, Art, and Social Change

Why Mexico?

May 24-June 28, 2009

in Cuernavaca, Mexico

Learn about the lives of Mexican women from revolutionary times to the present day who have embraced Frida Kahlo, renowned Mexican artist, as a symbol of women’s struggles for revolutionary change. Special attention will be given to the areas of gender, sexuality, politics, and the arts, including meetings with women’s and LGBTQ groups.

Courses

All students will take "The Legacy of Frida Kahlo: Gender, Sexuality, Politics and the Arts” (Women’s Studies 281/481) and also enroll in one Spanish language course.

The Legacy of Frida Kahlo: Gender, Sexuality, Politics and the Arts (Women's
Studies 281/481)

Explore the lives of Mexican women from the beginning of the 20th century, when women Soladaderas participated in the Mexican Revolution, to the present day, when a wide variety of women's groups and LGBT organizations have embraced Frida as a symbol of women's struggles for
revolutionary change. Students will discuss the roles that the soldaderas, Frida, and many other Mexican women played historically, as well as the roles that their artwork and images play in contemporary political and social
struggles. Special attention will be given to the areas of gender, sexuality, politics, and the arts. The course will be highly experiential and include numerous excursions and guest speakers in Mexico, introducing students to
women's diverse experiences in terms of race, ethnicity, socio-economic class, and sexual orientation. The course will be taught in English, and translation will be provided for guest speakers. Please explore the Syllabus.

Spanish Course

Students will take one of 17 Spanish courses available. Instruction is provided by Mexican instructors at UNIVERSAL Center for Language and Social Communication, which has served as the Spanish language school for Augsburg College programs in Mexico since 1979. The Center for Global Education has a strong relationship with Universal, a high-quality language school near our Cuernavaca study center, where students take intensive Spanish lessons in small classroom settings. The
school also offers opportunities for private tutoring, specialized classes, or exchanges with Mexican students.

More information on Spanish classes.

What Makes this program unique?

• Orientation in Mexico City:  Spend 3-5 days in Mexico City visiting museums, pyramids, and meeting with a wide range of guest lecturers.

• Courses in English and Spanish:  The program is open to all students, including those with no prior Spanish. The History/Women's Studies course is taught in English, and a wide range of Spanish courses are available for beginning, intermediate, advanced Spanish students, including Spanish for Heritage Speakers and Latin American Literature.

• Experiential Education:  Integrate solid academic work with real-life experiences.

• Diverse Speakers/Educational Excursions:  Learn directly from local people involved in some of the most important issues of our time.

• Homestay:  Spend four weeks living with a local family, participating in their daily life and activities. LGBT homestays are available.

• Optional Travel:  Participate in optional weekend excursions and/or travel on your own to nearby Acapulco, Mexico City, Puebla, Taxco, and/or Toluca.

Click here for more reasons to study in Mexico.

Academic Information
Credit is granted and the transcript is issued by Augsburg College for the equivalent of two courses or 6-8 semester hours.

Prerequisites
None.

Program Location
The program is located in Cuernavaca, a picturesque city in central Mexico. It is well known as the "City of Eternal Spring" and as a center for innovative grassroots organizing. It is located 1½ hours drive south of Mexico City and 3½ hours north of Acapulco.  More location information. ...

Accommodations
Room and board will be provided by Mexican host families of modest means in Cuernavaca. Any meals students choose to eat on their own are at their own expense. 

Cost
The cost of the program is $4,270. The program fees include tuition for two courses, course related field trips, room and board with host families, pre-trip preparation materials, airport or bus transfers, medical/emergency insurance, and general program oversight. Airfare is not included. The program price does not include passport and visa application fees or entry and exit taxes.  Your entry and exit taxes may be included in the cost of airfare.

Registration and Payment
Please contact us for a hardcopy application, or see: Summer Session Application. A $250 deposit is required with your application.  This deposit will be refunded only if the Center cancels the program. This deposit can be made by credit card or check.

Your application and deposit must be received no later than April 1, 2009. In some cases, space may be available after this date – please contact the Center for more information. Final payment for the program will be due May 1, 2009.  

Documentation

If you do not already have a passport, you should apply for one as soon as possible. Don’t put this off! It is very important that you have your passport well in advance of the program.  If you have one, make sure it is valid for six months past the end date of the program.  If it isn't, please apply for a new one.  You can apply for one either at a passport office, county government building, or a major post office. You will need two passport photos, a certified copy of your birth certificate (with a raised seal), and a check or money order for the processing fee.  Birth certificates are available from the clerk of court in the county in which you were born, in case you need to get one. In fact, get two copies so you can bring one with you (just in case you lose your passport and need to apply for a replacement).  For more information see the U.S. State Department webpage at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html