South
American Urban Semester (SAUS)
THE
SAUS EXPERIENCE
What
is SAUS all about?
It
is applied, real, and makes you think. This is not a tour group.
-Former SAUS Student
SAUS
is an integrated, semester-long learning experience that explores
the history, economy, politics and culture of Guatemala and Ecuador.
You'll study and critique various theories and models for understanding
the dynamics of cities, the region and the broader global context.
You'll spend time in the classroom plus plenty of time in the field
on small group and independent projects. You'll learn from knowledgeable
Latin American faculty and from local community people. Ultimately
you'll gain perspective on your own society and your role in the global
community.
How
is HECUA different?
One of the exciting and
challenging features of SAUS is the amount of responsibility students
are given for directing and evaluating their own learning process,
as well as contributing to the learning of other students. As students,
we have often fallen into the habit of being passive participants
in our own education, sitting back and waiting for the facts to be
given to us, memorizing and reproducing those facts for grades and
credits. Choosing to participate in SAUS is choosing a new way of
learning. We invite you to become dynamic, creative participants in
this project.
What
do we do in SAUS?
SAUS is a unique semester
that weaves together a variety of experiences.
Small group field projects
take you outside the classroom to investigate communities and meet
vendors, community organizers, health care workers, store owners,
politicians, plantation owners and workers, and other community members.
Intersecting with their daily life and work tests the theories you
study.
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.
Host family stays provide
an inside perspective on Guatemalan culture and everyday life.
LEARNING
IN SAUS
It's
a whole new way of looking at the world. Eventually you realize that
the teachers are the people on the streets and in the markets. You
learn to be a more active student.
-Former SAUS Student
How
do we learn?
In SAUS 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
and questioning on topics you may have previously taken for granted.
You will find yourself
exhausted at times by the intensity of the experiences. 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. SAUS will challenge you to think
in new ways, question, and take the initiative for your own learning.
You'll gain a solid theoretical and intellectual basis to use hand-in-hand
with passion and care to create change in the world.
What
do we read?
Readings include a wide
array of literature and theoretical writing. A selection of novels
and essays provide students with varying viewpoints to draw upon when
analyzing issues throughout the semester. Examples include:
Jorge Icaza, The
Villagers
Eduardo Galeano, Open Veins of Latin America
Peter Calvert, Guatemala: A Nation in Turmoil
Theoretical writings challenge
students intellectually and create a basis for understanding the structural
elements of society and thus mechanisms for change. Examples include:
Alejandro Portes, Latin
American Class Structures
Friedman and
Wulff, "The Urban Transition: Comparative Studies"
Peter Klaren, "Lost Promise: Explaining Latin American Underdevelopment"
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 often participation.
Field studies provide an opportunity for participants to explore other
regions of the country and to delve into a deeper understanding of
specific issues in Guatemala City. On SAUS, students do field study
work in small groups.
Examples of SAUS field
study assignments can be found in Appendix I of this packet. These
examples provide excellent insight into the kind of active learning
you will do as a SAUS participant.
Appendix
I: Examples of Field Study Assignments
What
are the courses and how do they connect?
HECUA emphasizes integrating
theory and experience, connecting them in meaningful ways. The following
three courses are taught as an integrated whole in SAUS:
Introduction
to Latin America
Overview
of the history, economy, politics and culture of Latin America,
using program sites as examples within the global context. Emphasis
is on development issues, theories and models applicable to Latin
America.
Urbanization
in Latin America
Development
of cities and implications for social change in Latin America, rural-urban
migration, industrialization, environmental issues, government policies
and urban elites. Compares, critiques and applies four predominant
analytical frameworks to explain Latin American realities: Marxism,
capitalism, dependency and the peasant model.
Wealth,
Poverty and Community Development in the Latin American City
Theoretical models are tested by applying them to the realities
encountered in the field. Students working in collaborative small
groups conduct structured field projects in urban and rural locations.
How
are seminars graded?
Papers, group projects,
quizzes, exams and class participation are evaluated in determining
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 and then translate it to P-N on your transcript.)
In addition, SAUS students
choose either an Independent Study Project or an Advanced Spanish
Language course, each equivalent to one course credit.
THE
SAUS INDEPENDENT STUDY OPTION
What
is a SAUS 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.
Students who choose the independent study option define a topic of
interest related to the program themes and use analytical tools gained
in SAUS to study a particular issue or case. 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 past students have completed:
Project Title And Student's
Major
Subnormal Neighborhoods:
A Necessary Housing Alternative
// Urban Studies
Working Conditions
for Bus Drivers as a Product of the Urban Crisis // International
Studies
Language as a Social
Barrier: Guatemala's Academic Elite and Multilingualism // Psychology/Spanish
Strength in Numbers?
The Quest for Legitimacy: A Study of Street Sellers // Sociology/Anthropology
"La carcél no
castiga el delito, castigo la probreza."- Monolo Palacious ["The
prison does not punish crime, it punishes poverty."]// Religious
Studies
IMPULSAR in Buenavista:
The Role of an Organization's Financial and Emotional Support in an
Invasion Barrio // Latin American Studies
Interpreting Reality:
The Work of Teatro la Candalaria and Others Within the "New" Movement
// Spanish/Political Science
An Evaluation of Fundación
Derecho a Nacer and Its Role in the Urban Crisis // International
Relations/Spanish
Popular Education in
Latin America: Theory and Practice Unite to Promote Social Transformation//
Urban Studies
La Parque Nacional
[The National Park]: A Source of Urban Benefit or Urban Crisis?//
Geography
Free Trade and Small
Producers: Its All a Match Made in Heaven // Economics
The Gamines [Street
Children]: Definitions, Causes, and Solutions // Theater/Education
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 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.
THE
SAUS SPANISH COURSE OPTION
What
is involved in the Spanish course option?
Students have the option
to take an Advanced Spanish Language course while on SAUS. Students
choose either the Spanish course or the independent study project.
Emphasis in the language course is on acquisition of practical language
skills to maximize participation in the SAUS experience. Oral participation
in class is required and is part of the grade. Written compositions
are assigned, feedback is given by the instructor and a rewrite process
puts the learning into practice. A mid-term and a final exam complete
the course work and basis for the language grade.
This course is intended
primarily for students who require increased language proficiency
in order to fully participate in SAUS. Most students are encouraged
to take the Independent Study Project option which provides for active
use of the language through primary research.
SPANISH
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
How
much Spanish do I need to know?
The prerequisite for SAUS
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 SAUS program?
Improvement of Spanish
language proficiency in reading, writing speaking and verbal comprehension
comes through extensive use of Spanish throughout the SAUS program.
Spanish is used in the classroom, small group field study, independent
study projects, homestays, daily interactions with people, reading
newspapers and watching TV. (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 three 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.) There may also be a requirement that
you do the readings in Spanish. Most SAUS 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.
CREDITS
How
much credit do I get for the program?
The SAUS semester is equivalent
to a full semester course load at your school--4 course credits, 16
semester hours or 24 quarter credits.
NOTE: Because the SAUS
courses are taught in an integrated manner, there are no withdrawals
permitted for any course except Spanish and the Independent Study
Project, and these only in exceptional cases as negotiated with the
program director.
How
do the credits fit into my degree?
The use of SAUS credits
is very flexible. You'll discuss the program with your advisor and
decide how it fits and how credits can be used for your major, minor,
core requirements and/or electives. With a curriculum focused on urban
issues and social structure and economics, students receive credits
mainly in the social sciences. You can also specify the kind of independent
study you want to do so that it fulfills a particular kind of credit.
Talk to the HECUA campus representative, program advisors 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.
THE
SAUS FACULTY AND RESOURCES
Who
teaches the program? Who do we meet and learn from?
Primary Faculty
Alberto Rivera-Gutiérrez
- Program Director for SAUS, as well as for Culture and Society in
Latin America (CASLA) and Environment, Economy and Community in Guatemala
(J-term), with overall responsibilities for instruction and general
administration; primary program faculty; 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, University of Minnesota).
Mauricio Barreto
- Special Lecturer; provides select lectures and instruction in the
program; Program Director from 1980 to 1997 for SAUS and since 1984
for Culture and Society in Latin American (CASLA); Colombian citizen
with graduate degrees in Economics (Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá)
and Spanish and Portuguese Literature (Ph.D. candidacy, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis).
Guest Resource Persons
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. Here are a few examples:
Susana Ascencio
- Architect, head of the Metropolitan Planning Commission of Guatemala
City and one of the pioneers in urban planning in the country.
Guillermo Padilla
- Lawyer and anthropologist working with the United Nations Mission
to Guatemala.
Marcela Tovar -
Sociologist working with non-government organizations in Guatemala
for over 10 years; is presently heading a team in charge of assuring
participation of the Mayan communities in the political and juridical
process.
Demetrio Cojtín
- Researcher and member of the Academia de Lenguas Mayas, one of the
most visible educated Mayas in Guatemala; a specialist in bilingual
intercultural education.
LOGISTICS
Where
will I live?
For the majority of the
SAUS 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 five-day
rural homestay. For some of the field projects you will stay in hotels
or hostels.
What
about the Guatemala City 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 SAUS
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
For your rural homestay, you will stay with a Mayan host family
in a small village in the mountains near Lake Atitlán. 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!
How
much is the semester going to cost?
Tuition, room, board,
visa and field trips are included in the SAUS comprehensive fee of
$9,600 for students from member schools, $10,100 for students from
non-member schools (Fall 2000).
In addition, expect the
following expenses during your SAUS term (all costs are approximations):
- Airfare, round-trip $1,400
- Books and readings
$200
- Airport fees and exit
taxes $80
- Local transportation
$150
- Personal expenses
$800-$1200
Personal expenses, including entertainment, personal weekend travel,
gifts, etc., vary considerably based on each student's budget and
choices.
Can
I use financial aid to finance my SAUS term?
Students from HECUA member
schools should be able to use all financial aid for the SAUS semester.
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 on SAUS?
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 SAUS 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 updated
State Department information from HECUA. Or you may obtain it from
the State Department at their web site, http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html,
or by phone, 202/647-5225.
Additional information
on safety and security is available at these web sites:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://www.studyabroad.com/handbook
STUDENTS
Who
participates in SAUS?
Students
from the following majors have participated in SAUS since it began
in 1977:
African American Studies
- American Civilization - American Studies - Anthropology -Architecture
- Art - Art History - Biology - Business - Chemistry - Communications
- Computer Science - Criminal Justice - Culture and Ethics - Design
- Development Studies - Diplomacy - Economics - Education - Elementary
Education - Employment Relations - English - English Education - Environmental
Studies - Ethics - Family Resources - French - Geography - Geology
- German - Global Studies - Government - Hispanic Studies - History
- Housing - Human Services - International Business - International
Communications - International Management - International Policy Studies
- International Relations - International Studies - Italian - Journalism
- Land Resource Planning - Language - Latin American Studies - Law
and Society - Liberal Studies - Linguistics - Mathematics - Music
- Native American Studies - Nursing - Occupational Therapy - Operation
Research - Peace and Conflict Studies - Philosophy - Physical Development
- Physics - Political Science - Politics - Pre-medicine - Psychology
- Public Affairs - Public Health - Religion - Secondary Education
- Semiotics - Social Service - Social Studies - Social Work - Sociology
- Spanish - Spanish Education - Speech - Studio Art - Theater - Urban
Planning - Urban Studies - Women's Studies
SAUS
students have come from these schools:
|
Adelphi University
|
College of William & Mary
|
Miami University
|
St. Mary's University
|
University of North Carolina
|
|
Alma College
|
Columbia University
|
Michigan State
|
St. Norbert College
|
Univ. of Northern Colorado
|
|
American University
|
Concordia College- Moorhead
|
Middlebury College
|
St. Olaf College
|
University of Notre Dame
|
|
Antioch College
|
Concordia University - St. Paul
|
Monterey Inst. of Intl. Studies
|
Stanford University
|
University of Rhode Island
|
|
Augsburg College
|
Cornell University
|
Mount Holyoke College
|
Swarthmore College
|
University of Richmond
|
|
Augustana College
|
Doane University
|
Mount Senario College
|
Trinity University
|
Wittenberg University
|
|
Bates College
|
Earlham College
|
Oberlin College
|
Univ. of California - Berkeley
|
Yale University
|
|
Boston College
|
Goucher College
|
Occidental University
|
Univ. of California - San Diego
|
University of Rochester
|
|
Boston University
|
Grinnell College
|
Ohio State University
|
Univ. of Colorado - Boulder
|
University of St. Thomas
|
|
Bowdoin College
|
Gustavus Adolphus
|
Pennsylvania University
|
University of Dubuque
|
University of Toronto
|
|
Brown University
|
Hamline University
|
Princeton University
|
University of Iowa
|
University of Washington
|
|
Bucknell University
|
Hampshire College
|
Rhode Island University
|
University of Massachusetts
|
Viterbo College
|
|
Carleton College
|
Harvard University
|
Richmond College
|
University of Michigan
|
Westmar University
|
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College of St. Benedict
|
Macalester College
|
St. John's University
|
University of Minnesota
|
Wheaton College
|
|
College of St. Catherine
|
Mankato State University
|
St. Mary's College of Maryland
|
University of New Mexico
|
Williams College
|
Contact HECUA if you would
like to talk with past student participants from your school or your
major about the program.
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 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.
Contact
Information
Higher Education Consortium
for Urban Affairs (HECUA)
Mail #36, Hamline University
1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104-1284
Fax: 651/659-9421
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.hecua.org
Rebecca Rassier,
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]
