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HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Field
experiences offer an opportunity to see social change
in progress. Village studies are conducted in rural
communities as you analyze development projects designed
to help one of the world’s poorest countries. With
the aid of an interpreter, you interview rural residents
to understand their views of population, gender roles,
education and social issues. Urban experiences include
visiting settler areas and development agencies in Dhaka.
SETTING
Bordering
India, Bangladesh is a young, predominantly Muslim nation
state. Bangladesh offers a chance to witness the moderate
practice of Islam and understand how poverty can offer
an opportunity for dialogue, not violence. Ranked among
the world’s poorest countries, Bangladesh has been
a key site for implementing and testing various models
of development by international agencies and Non-Governmental
Organizations. Its capital is the emerging mega-city
of Dhaka with more than 10 million residents.
PROGRAM CREDIT
1 course (4 semester hours or 6 quarter credits)
COURSE
Learn
about the intentions of development agencies and the
aspirations of poor Bangladeshis. Through lectures,
discussions, and group field study, you will explore
the policies, practices and ideologies of socioeconomic
development in rural and urban Bangladesh.
While in Dhaka you will meet with leaders of government
and development agencies. You also will have a chance
to learn about the moderate practice of Islam.Leaving
Dhaka, you will spend two weeks in the rural Comilla
district (100km east).
Lectures and readings are in English, and interpreters
help translate Bangla in the field. Instruction in basic
Bangla phrases is offered on the program.
CENTRAL QUESTIONS
•
How can we understand Bangladesh and its people through
the lenses of culture (religion, the arts, family and
perspectives of justice)?
• What are the causes and consequences of poverty
and inequality in Bangladesh?
• What do agents of "development" think
that they are achieving through their development initiatives?
How do the supposed beneficiaries of "development"
understand these initiatives and their effects?
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