THE "EECLA" EXPERIENCE
NOTE: The
Environment, Economy & Community in Latin America program, to be
offered for the first time as a semester program in Spring 2001, is
based in a long-standing HECUA program site and led by a long-time HECUA
faculty member. The program will draw from similar past semester and
short-term programs, but will be an exciting new curriculum overall.
Therefore, please use this information
packet as a general guideline to the nature of the program, knowing
that further development of the program is in progress. All enrolled
participants receive a complete and current program manual prior to
departure for the program. (April 2000)
What is "Environment, Economy
& Community" all about?
"In the field study project, I was able to apply
my knowledge about environmental concerns to a specific issue which
was very important to Guatemalans and myself. Learning about 'community'
and its importance is central to my study in the future."
-Former
HECUA Student
Environment, Economy & Community in Latin
America ("EECLA") is an integrated, semester-long learning experience
that explores questions of development, environment and community in
Latin America, specifically Guatemala and the Lake Atitlán region.
The program weaves together hands-on field projects, field placements
and homestays with the study of various economic development models.
This semester is a chance to grapple with
issues of the environment and material transformation, notions of development
and progress, the relationship between the environment and the economy,
sustainability, and implications for local communities as well as for
the U.S. and global community. As you begin to grasp the perspectives
of Mayan people and other groups on these pressing issues, you will
also be connecting it all to your own life and realities back home.
This is a fifteen-week program (February - May),
with fourteen weeks in urban and rural parts of Guatemala, and the final
week in Cuba for a comparative perspective.
How is HECUA different?
One of the exciting and challenging features
of the program is the amount of responsibility students are given for
directing and evaluating their own learning process, as well as for
contributing to the learning of other students. As students, we often
fall into the habit of being passive participants in our own education
by inactively waiting for the facts to be given to us and then memorizing
and reproducing those facts for grades and credits. Choosing to participate
in a HECUA program is choosing a new way of learning--it is accepting
the challenge to take initiative in and responsibility for your education.
We invite you to become dynamic, creative participants in this project.
What do we do in the program?
EECLA is a unique semester that weaves together
a variety of experiences and activities.
• Field projects and placements take you
outside the classroom to investigate communities and meet community
organizers, environmentalists, archeologists, politicians, plantation
owners and workers, and other community members. Interacting with
these individuals in their daily lives and working situations tests
the real world applicability of the theories you study in the classroom.
• Program travel takes you to urban and
rural communities in different areas of Guatemala, providing you the
chance to investigate various regional perspectives on program themes.
• Readings by diverse authors provide
models and philosophies for you to analyze and use in building your
own worldview.
• Class lectures and discussions with
program faculty and guest speakers heighten understanding of theory
and current issues.
• Written papers reflect on the connections
between practice and theory as they are examined throughout the course.
• An independent study project allows
you to focus intently on an area of your own interest for an in-depth,
semester-long study.
• Group work, emphasized especially in
field projects and presentations, provides a learning experience based
on cooperative effort and helps you to learn through discussing and
comparing your views and experiences with those of others.
• Host family stays provide an insider
perspective on Guatemalan culture and everyday life.
Where do we study?
In Guatemala City, classes are held on the campus
of Universidad del Valle. Students have access to the library, computer
labs, university bus service and cafeteria. There are various opportunities
to interact with Guatemala students on the campus as well.
In the Lake Atitlan area, students convene for
full-group class sessions at the visitor center of the Atitlan Nature
Reserve and/or in meeting facilities at Hotel Atitlan. Much of the time
is spent in the field and students stay with Mayan families who live
in communities around Lake Atitlán.
In Cuba, students will gather for full-group
sessions in one of the large homes housing students, with much of the
time spent in the field.
LEARNING IN THE PROGRAM
"I learned to think openly and critically, to incorporate
new 'contexts of meaning'
and to listen to people and their stories."
-Former
HECUA student
How do we learn?
With HECUA, you will learn in ways that may be
different from what you are familiar with at your home campus. Everything
you do is an opportunity for learning and analyzing. You will be part
of real life experiences, which you will then connect to theories explored
in the academic component of the program.
The program is rigorous. Prepare to do a lot
of thinking, questioning, and hard work on topics you may have previously
taken for granted. The program gives students a solid theoretical and
intellectual basis to use hand-in-hand with passion and care to create
change in the world.
You will find yourself exhausted at times by
the intensity of the experiences. The time-frames for projects can be
demanding. In carrying out structured assignments, you are encouraged
to be autonomous and are expected to complete projects on your own or
in small groups. The faculty are supportive and serve as accessible
and challenging academic catalysts of discussion.
The experience will challenge you to think in new ways, question, and
take the initiative for your own learning.
What do we read?
We will read texts on the Guatemalan context
and compare community economy and market economy models as a way to
analyze development issues encountered. (The full bibliography is being
developed. These are some core readings that will be augmented by additional
readings across the courses, including material on environmental issues
and related themes.)
Barry, Tom. Guatemala: A Country Guide,
1989. Albuquerque: The Inter-Hemispheric Education Resource Center,
pp. 37-74.
Calvert, Peter. Guatemala: A Nation in
Turmoil, 1985. Boulder: Westview Press, Inc.
Daly, Herman. Ed. Essays Toward a Steady-State
Economy. 1971. Cuernavaca: Centre Intercultural de Documentacion.
Daly, Herman and Kenneth Townsend. Eds.
Valuing the Earth: Economics, Ecology, Ethics. 1993. Cambridge,
MA: MIT Press.
Eagleton, Terry. "The Significance of Theory,"
1993. In The Bucknell
Lectures in Literary Theory. Cambridge:
Basic Blackwell, Inc., pp. 24-38.
Eggert, Jim. Meadowlark Ecomomics: Perpectives
on Ecology, Work, and Learning. 1992. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe.
Gudeman, Stephen and Alberto Rivera. Sustaining
the Community, Resisting the Market: Guatemalan Perspectives,
1998.
Gudeman, Stephen and Alberto Rivera. Conversations
in Colombia: The Domestic Economy in Life and Text, 1990. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-53, 183-191.
Rivera, Alberto. El desarollo como una
manera de construir la realidad en La Guajira, 1990. Gerardo
Ardila (ed.) Universidad Nacional de Colombia, pp. 241-256.
What is a field project?
Field study provides students with an opportunity
to explore first-hand the topics that are addressed in class. Field
study requires that students thoroughly investigate a topic or area
through observation, interviews and participation. Field studies provide
an opportunity for participants to explore other regions of the country
or to delve more deeply into specific issues in Guatemala City or the
Lake Atitlán area.
Students do field study work in small groups.
The assignments are structured to give the groups a high level of independence
and responsibility in completing them. How you search for required information
(e.g., what resources you use and who you contact) and what specific
issues you focus on are decided by the group. Groups present their findings
to the whole class upon completion.
What is a field placement?
The field placement gets students out in the
community, whether participating hands-on or observing. Different placements
yield different results and different experiences, but all placements
allow the student to interact with members of the community, as well
as specialists in the field in which they are studying.
Field placements include:
- A recently inaugurated water treatment plant
in Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, with biodigestors, biogas and enriched
sludge (fertilizer) production that has its own water laboratory.
- San Juan La Laguna, a Tzutuhil community on
the lake, that is developing its own water treatment plant with similar
technology to the Panajachel plant that will use the treated water
directly on organic coffee groves.
- Finca Santa Victoria, located in the municipality
of Panajachel, is a business concern surrounded by 14 Mayan communities
that is reorienting much of its activity to be sustainable. One of
the programs they are working on is a series of firewood forests forest
with the surrounding communities.
- A garbage recycling program in Panajachel
that attempts to organize garbage selection in the town and make the
operation self-sufficient.
- Environmental education programs for both
schools and the community at large at the Atitlan Nature Reserve.
What are the courses and how
do they connect?
HECUA emphasizes integrating theory and
experience, connecting them in meaningful ways. Three courses are taught
as an integrated whole, i.e., time in the classroom and assignments
(including field projects) weave together all three courses, rather
than having them presented as discrete experiences.
-Social Dynamics and the Environment
-The Ethics of Development: Local and Global
Implications
-Spanish in the Field (advanced level language
practicum)
How are seminars graded?
Papers, group projects, quizzes, exams and class
participation are evaluated to determine the student’s grade. Grades
are on an A-F scale. No incompletes are given. (If a student wishes
to take courses Pass-No Credit, this has to be arranged with the home
institution registrar, who will receive the A-F grade from HECUA and
then translate it to P-N on your transcript.)
THE INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT
What is the Independent Study
Project?
An independent study project provides you with
an extraordinary opportunity to investigate a topic of interest first
hand through interviews, observation and/or participation. The emphasis
of this project is on connecting a specific academic/personal interest
with program themes and linking theoretical perspectives with a specific
"real-world" situation in Guatemala. A faculty member advises the student
throughout to ensure adequate focus and incorporation of primary field
research in the project design.
What kinds of independent
study projects have students done?
A wide range of topics is possible for the independent
study project. Here are some examples of projects students have completed
in similar HECUA Latin America programs.
� Trash
Talk: A Discussion of Waste Management in Santiago-Atitlán
� The
Sustainability of Tourism around the Lake Atitlán Area
� Wastewater
Treatment in San Lucas Tolimán, Panajachel and San Juan La
Lagun.
� Lancheros:
The Problems of Commercial Transportation in Lake Atitlán.
� Friendship
Bridge: A Case Study of Microcredit in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala
� The
Notion of Development and the Appropriate Technology Project in Santa
María Cauqué
� Lure
of a Country: The Creation, Development and Consumption of Guatemala's
Image
- Interaction and Perspective of
Guatemala's Middle Class Ladinos and the Indigenous Population
- Reducing Boat Pollution on Lake
Atitlán
- Exploring Health Issues and Prevention
Programs in the Santiago Atitlán Community
- Reforestation Efforts Around Lake
Atitlán: A Critical Analysis of Three Approaches
How do I decide on an independent
study topic?
HECUA helps you identify and sort through possibilities
to find a topic that meets your interests and the learning goals of
the program. You describe your interests to the HECUA faculty who then
connect you with possible contacts and information sources. You might
want to talk with faculty at your school in advance of the program for
some ideas, but be ready to modify once you're in the program based
on what is feasible and on new interests that might arise.
How is the Independent Study
graded?
A minimum of two formal individual appointments
with the advisor will take place. A written outline draft and annotated
outline are required and must be attached to the final project. The
grade is based on the final written project.
SPANISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
How much Spanish do I need
to know?
The prerequisite for the program is a minimum
of two years of college-level Spanish or the equivalent. Additional
classroom and/or practical Spanish background is very useful.
How does my Spanish improve
in the program?
Improvement of Spanish language proficiency in
reading, writing speaking and verbal comprehension comes through extensive
use of Spanish throughout the program. Spanish is used in the classroom,
small group field study, independent study projects, homestays, daily
interactions with people, reading newspapers and watching TV. This is
not a traditional "language program", but is an excellent way to move
from study of the language to practical use of Spanish. (The
emphasis in the classroom is primarily on discussing academic content
and increasing understanding of key concepts, not on the Spanish language
itself.)
Can I get Spanish language
credit for the program?
Spanish language credits are subject to approval
by your home institution language faculty. Negotiate credit distribution
and requirements for approval on campus in advance of the program. One
or more of the two content courses may count for Spanish credit, often
with the requirement that papers be written in Spanish. (Note that many
course projects are done in small groups rather than individually, which
means you may not always be able to get your group to write in Spanish
if not everyone has the writing skills or interest.) Your department
may also require that you do the readings in Spanish to get Spanish
credit. Most EECLA readings provided are in English; you will have to
acquire Spanish versions in the U.S. or in Guatemala if you prefer reading
in Spanish.
The Independent Study Project may
be approved for Spanish language credit if written in Spanish and/or
if it covers a topic related to language or culture. And the Spanish
in the Field course should count for Spanish language credit.
CREDITS
How much credit do I get for
the program?
The program provides the equivalent of a full
semester course load at your school--4 course credits, 16 semester hours
or 24 quarter credits.
NOTE: Because the courses are taught
in an integrated manner, there are no withdrawals permitted for any
course. In exceptional cases, students may withdraw from the Independent
Project, pending the program director’s approval.
How do the credits fit into
my degree?
The use of course credits is very flexible. You’ll
discuss the program with your advisor and decide how credits can be
used for your major, minor, core requirements and/or electives. With
a curriculum based in various disciplines such as anthropology, sociology,
economics and environmental studies, students regularly receive credits
in a variety of social science disciplines. You can also design your
independent study so that it fulfills a particular kind of credit. Talk
to the HECUA campus representative, faculty on your campus, or HECUA
staff for help in figuring out credit distribution.
How do the credits appear
on my transcript?
For students from HECUA member schools, credits
earned are from your home institution rather than transfer credits.
HECUA sends a grade report to the college registrar; grades are then
posted to your transcript. Students from non-member schools receive
a Hamline University transcript and transfer the credits back to their
school.
FACULTY AND RESOURCES
Who teaches the program? Who
do we meet and learn from?
Primary Faculty
Alberto Rivera-Gutiérrez - Program
Director, with overall responsibilities for instruction and general
administration; (also directs South American Urban Semester); HECUA
faculty and special lecturer since 1982; Colombian and Guatemalan citizen,
with U.S. degrees (B.A. in Humanities and Anthropology, M.A. in Hispanic
Linguistics, and Ph. D. in Anthropology, all from the University of
Minnesota).
Academic Resources
The program also utilizes many experts from colleges
and the community to illuminate diverse approaches to program themes.
Guest lecturers include community leaders, scholars and activists. They
give students a vivid and personal encounter with local culture and
issues. These are examples of resource persons; actual participation
may change each term.
Oscar Murga - Guatemalan citizen with
Ph.D in Sociology (Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain); Program
Director with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). 20 years
experience in conservation and development programs.
Victor Par - A Tzutuhil Maya who heads
the environmental projects for Vivamos Mejor.
Juan Skinner - A Guatemalan biologist
trained in the U.S., who at present heads the Atitlán Lake Authority
and who has worked around the lake for almost 15 years on various projects.
Marcela Torres - Mexican citizen with
advanced degrees in Sociology (Universidad Autónoma de México);
20 years experience in Guatemala as consultant and researcher; lectures
in Mayan communities, the Peace Process and their alternative visions
of change.
Luis Villatoro - A Guatemalan environmental
engineer trained in the U.S., who at present works with Vivamos Mejor,
an NGO with many projects around the lake.
Sophia Wolters - A Dutch woman who has
lived for the last 11 years in Panajachel and who has worked with artisans
most of this time and now heads the Trust Bank program in Santiago Atitlán.
LOGISTICS
Where will I live?
Time will be spent living both in Guatemala City
and in the Lake Atitlan area. In both places you will live with host
families, with occasional stays in hotels or hostels during time in
the field. For the majority of the EECLA program, you will be based
in Guatemala City where you will be living with a host family. You will
also have the opportunity to stay with a Mayan family in the Lake Atitlán
region during a two week rural homestay. For some of the field projects
you will stay in hotels or hostels.
What about the urban and rural
homestays?
Guatemala City
Your accommodations will be arranged with specially
selected families where you will have a private room. HECUA's family
placement coordinator uses information you provide to match you with
an appropriate family. You will be provided three meals a day.
Families are mainly middle class, and may consist
of a single mother, a set of parents, an older widow living alone, or
an extended family. Some families include students as part of the family
and may include them in outings and other family events; others give
students more autonomy, similar to a boarder.
The homestay is part of the cross-cultural experience
and may pose some challenges, provide much learning and offer plenty
of good times. If a situation arises where the family placement is not
working out for a student, the placement coordinator will arrange for
a move.
Rural Homestay
In the Lake Atitlan area, you will stay for a
period of time with a Mayan host family in a small village. Small groups
of students will be staying in different villages, and each village
has its own unique attributes. Each family has its own way of living,
and your experience may be very different than those of your fellow
students. Many of the families are single mother families, many have
children, and many are multi-generational or live very close to other
members of their extended family.
Be prepared to participate in the daily
life of the family and community, to not just observe, but to build
a relationship as a visiting member of these communities. Be prepared
to learn much about Mayan culture, religion and community as well as
reflect on your own culture, ways of viewing the world, ways of living
and ways of thinking. Finally, be prepared to play a lot of games and
have a lot of fun!
Cuba
In Cuba, students will stay with host families
or in a hostel, or a combination of the two.
How much is the semester going
to cost?
Tuition, room, board and field trip ground expenses
are included in the EECLA comprehensive fee of $10,600 for non-member
schools and $10,100 for member schools (Spring 2002). In addition, expect
the following expenses (all figures are approximations):
- Airfare, round-trip $1,200
- Books and readings $230
- Airport fees and exit taxes $125
- Local transportation $150
- Misc. supplies, postage, etc. $100
- Personal expenses $500-$1000
Personal expenses, including entertainment, personal
weekend travel, gifts, etc., vary considerably per student's budget
and choices.
Can I use financial aid to
finance my HECUA term?
Students from HECUA member schools should be
able to use all financial aid for the semester abroad. Options for non-member
students vary considerably depending on the home institution. Both member
and non-member students should talk with the financial aid or off-campus
study office at your school for details.
SAFETY
What are HECUA's guidelines
for safety?
HECUA has an exemplary record of nearly 30 years
of experience in providing high quality, successful off-campus programming
serving more than 2000 students. It is a record that we are committed
to maintaining for the benefit of all concerned.
HECUA maintains the following safety and security
guidelines in the delivery of all HECUA programs:
Principles
HECUA considers the safety of its students and
faculty of paramount importance. HECUA will not knowingly place our
students or our program staff and their families in danger.
While HECUA endeavors to ensure safety, no area
can be considered as "always safe" and HECUA cannot guarantee the safety
of any student or other program participants.
HECUA acts responsibly in advising and informing
students, parents and representatives about programs, locations and
HECUA practice and record.
HECUA operates programs in locations that afford
excellent opportunities for students to study program content and where
it has particularly good contacts and access to local resources that
enhance program delivery. Because HECUA programs are organized primarily
around content rather than specific location, program site changes may
be made without compromising the curriculum.
Students who choose HECUA have done so consciously
in search of a particular program. They know that in HECUA programs
responsible behavior, both personal and civic, will be supported and
practiced.
HECUA Practice
HECUA actively monitors conditions,
developments, social climate and any new or perceived safety or security
issues in all program sites, prior to and during program terms, using
as resources:
- On-site program directors and
primary faculty -- HECUA is in contact with our program directors
and faculty at least weekly by phone or e-mail and discusses any
security concerns that have been identified by them or have come
to the attention of headquarters staff through other sources listed
below, along with implications for the program.
- U.S. State Department travel advisories
and announcements -- HECUA checks existing State Department announcements
and receives any new or updated advisories on an immediate basis.
U.S. State Department travel advisories and public announcements
usually affect only parts of a particular country and impact decisions
about if, where and how within the country to run the program. A
U.S. State Department travel warning may be grounds
for moving a program out of a country altogether.
- Contacts at universities and related
institutions in the program site -- HECUA consults with these contacts
to gain additional information, insights, and advice about their
own response to particular situations.
- Relevant news sources, print and
internet, both U.S. and international, provide current information
on events and issues in program sites.
If information gained about safety/security
concerns in a program site indicates unreasonable risk for HECUA students,
faculty or staff, and the possible need for programmatic response, further
consultation is done organizationally for expert input and consideration
of alternatives, including:
- HECUA Risk Management Task Force
-- composed of member study abroad professionals, faculty and legal
counsel, the Task Force is charged with conducting a risk management
and legal audit of all HECUA policies and practices and consulting
on particular situations and concerns.
- Study abroad colleagues at member
schools
- Administrators at other institutions
or agencies running programs in the same program site
- HECUA executive committee and/or
full board of directors
If changes must be made in the program,
a wide variety of alternatives will be considered, balancing a commitment
to delivering the curriculum to students with a commitment to the safety
and well-being of students and faculty.
- Changes may include restrictions
to student travel, changing program site, cancellation of program,
or other options as deemed most appropriate.
- Changes will be made with as much
advanced planning and communication as possible. At the same time,
HECUA will take immediate and unequivocal action to ensure student
safety if deemed necessary.
- A crisis response protocol is
in place that directs response of on-site program directors and
headquarters staff to ensure timely and appropriate response and
communication to all parties concerned.
Students receive pre-program and on-site
orientation that includes information on student conduct rules and policies,
safe practices, and travel guidelines appropriate to the location. Examples
would include directions/restrictions regarding transportation modes,
travel times, routes, and destinations. Students know that failure to
adhere to rules and guidelines may result in expulsion from the program.
Students are provided with emergency contact information to carry with
them at all times. Students are encouraged to report any and all incidents
to Program Directors.
All passports are registered with the
U.S. embassy of the country being visited.
Updated program itineraries, including
any changes, are kept on file at HECUA U.S. headquarters so that students'
whereabouts are always known.
HECUA management, board members and
member college faculty visit program sites annually and are able to
discuss and assess relevant safety/security issues while on site.
How do I find more information
about safety and security in EECLA program locations?
The U.S. State Department is one source of information
consulted when determining safety and security conditions in HECUA program
sites. You may request from HECUA a copy of the most recent information
available from the State Department. Or you may obtain it from the State
Department at their web site, travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html,
or by phone, 202/647-5225.
Additional information on safety and security
is available at these web sites:
www.lonelyplanet.com
www.studyabroad.com/handbook
www.manitouheights.org/intled/bookmarks/general.html
STUDENTS
Who participates in the program?
The program is open to all majors and
may be of particular interest to students in the following disciplines:
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Anthropology
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Justice and Peace Studies
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Biochemistry
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Latin American Studies
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Biology
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Management
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Business Administration
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Nursing
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Chemistry
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Peace and Conflict Studies
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Communications
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Political Science
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Education
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Pre-Medicine
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Environmental Studies
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Psychology
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Hispanic Studies
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Sociology
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International Development
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Spanish
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International Studies
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Students from all member and non-member schools
are welcome to participate.
Contact HECUA if you would like to talk with
past student participants from your school or your major about similar
HECUA programs and what to expect.
ABOUT HECUA
What is HECUA?
HECUA is a consortium of 15 Midwest colleges
and universities that provides off-campus study programs in Scandinavia,
Latin America, Asia and the U.S. HECUA was founded nearly 30 years ago
by faculty of the member schools who were committed to connecting college
studies with current issues in society.
Over the years HECUA has developed high-quality,
challenging academic programs and extensive community connections which
combine to create experiential learning opportunities that have earned
local and national distinction. The programs successfully weave together
subject matter from multiple disciplines and field work, allowing students
to be involved in social issues, explore personal identity and develop
ways to be active in their own communities.
HECUA Contact Information
Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs
(HECUA)
2233 University Ave. W., Suite 210
Saint Paul, MN 55114-1629
Telephone: 651/646-8831
Fax: 651/659-9421
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.hecua.org
Michael Eaton, Admissions and Student
Services
651/646-8832 or 800/554-1089, [email protected]
Doug Franzman, Student Accounts
651/646-8831, [email protected]
Amy Sunderland, Executive Director
651/646-1348, [email protected]
Member colleges
Augsburg College • Augustana College •
Carleton College • College of Saint
Benedict • College of Saint Catherine • Concordia
University-Saint Paul • Gustavus Adolphus College • Hamline
University • Macalester College • Saint John’s University
• Saint Mary’s University • Saint Olaf College •
University of Minnesota • University of Saint Thomas • Viterbo
University
