Development
and Community in Bangladesh
- JOIN Bangladesh students to learn about
the environmental and economical impact of global development.
- ANALYZE development projects designed to
assist one of the world's poorest countries.
- UNDERSTAND local views of population, gender
roles, education and social change through group projects in rural
villages
January
term
DATES: January 2 - 28, 2002 (dates subject to change)
THE
SETTING
Bangladesh is a young, predominantly Muslim country that has
initiated many innovative development projects. Dhaka, Bangladesh's
capital, is one of Asia's emerging mega-cities. Despite an already overtaxed
infrastructure, Dhaka's population of over 8-10 million is likely to
double by 2015 through natural increase and continued migration from
rural areas. To understand the intentions of development agents and
the aspirations of poor Bangladeshis, students will visit settler communities
in Dhaka and spend two full weeks in rural Comilla district (100km east
of Dhaka) at the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) and
in the surrounding villages.
THE
COURSE:
In the short history of Bangladesh, international agencies, governmental
organizations, and non-governmental organizations have made this country
a key site for implementing and testing various models of development.
Through lectures, discussions, and group field study (with Bangladeshi
co-learners), students in the course will explore the policies, practices
and ideologies of socioeconomic development in rural and urban Bangladesh.
FACULTY:
Professor Haroun Er Rashid is Director of the School of Environmental
Science and Management at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
He is responsible for IUB's "Live-in Field Experience," which
sends urban-based students into rural villages and urban settlements
to impress upon them the socioeconomic realities faced by the majority
of Bangladeshis. Rashid holds graduate degrees in geography and development
economics and is the founder of a private voluntary national development
organization.
Professor Richard Leitch, Political Science Department at Gustavus
Adolphus College (St. Peter, Minnesota), teaches courses in International
Relations, Comparative Politics, Asian Politics, and Politics of the
Developing Nations. He is the recipient of the Swenson-Bunn Award for
Teaching Excellence. He advises numerous student groups and is active
himself in local and global social justice issues
Back
to top
ACCOMMODATIONS:
In Dhaka, students will stay at City Homes located in Banani, Dhaka.
During the two weeks in the Comilla District students will be housed
at the BARD hostel in Kotbari, Comilla with Independent University,
Bangladesh (IUB) students.
FIELD
PROJECTS:
A key component of the curriculum will be village studies conducted
with IUB students. As IUB and HECUA students enter into rural communities,
they will be exposed to narratives of poor Bangladeshis as well as to
each others' world views and evolving understandings of the "development
dilemmas" facing Bangladesh. HECUA students will also visit urban
settler areas and development agencies in Dhaka.
LANGUAGE:
There are no language requirements. Lectures and readings will be in
English, and IUB students will help translate Bangla in the field. Instruction
in basic Bangla phrases will be provided prior to the program.
WHO CAN
ENROLL:
Open to all majors. Of special interest to students in international
studies, environmental studies, sociology, economics, anthropology,
Asian studies, social justice, peace & justice studies, women's studies.
Completion of freshman year by January 2002 required. Provides one course
credit, four semester hours or six quarter credits.
E VALUATION:
HECUA programs require students to participate fully in all aspects
of the learning experience. Evaluation will be based on group field
projects, case studies, journals and a final assignment. Students will
receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or F
CREDITS:
Students will earn 1 course credit (4 semester hours). Credits will
be awarded by the home institution, or a transcript will be issued by
Hamline University.
PROGRAM
CHANGES:
HECUA reserves the right to make changes in the program or to cancel
the program if the need arises. The information contained herein does
not constitute a contract with students.
Back
to top
COST:
The comprehensive fee is $3,650, which includes round-trip airfare Minneapolis/St.
Paul - Dhaka, airport transfers, ground transportation to field sites,
planned group excursions, lodging, all breakfasts, some lunches and
dinners, and administrative costs
Additional expense to the student will include the home school's J-term
tuition and/or fee (varies per school; check with study abroad advisor),
passport, visa, travel insurance, some meals, and personal expenses
(sundries, tips, gifts and free-time activities).
A $400 deposit will be required to hold your place in the program (non-refundable,
due within one month of acceptance into the program), to be credited
toward the comprehensive fee. All deposits must be in by October 19.
Final fee payment is due November 15.
TO APPLY:
Submit a HECUA J-term application form and $25 non-refundable application
fee directly to HECUA. Students applying by May 4 will be given admission
preference and will receive notice of acceptance by mid-May. Applications
will continue to be accepted while space is available up to the final
deadline of October 4, 2001. Apply early as space is limited.
TENTATIVE
ITINERARY
Dhaka, Kishoregani, Comilla
- 7 days in Dhaka - General orientation to the history, culture and
economy of Bangladesh, visit historical and cultural sites (National
Museum, Lalbagh Fort), introduction to urban poverty and urban development
efforts (Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, Grameen Bank), visit
bazaars, shantyowns, garment factories, development agencies, celebrate
Eid festival (end of Ramadan)
- 2 days in Kishoreganj district (at United Nations Development Program)
- Lectures on development models and strategies, field visit to village
- 13 days in Comilla district (at Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development)
- Lectures on development models and strategies, field visits daily
to villages for group projects
- 2 days in Dhaka - Process information/discussion/write-up,wrap-up
and evaluation
Back
to top
