This is an intensive program that explores issues of migration, immigration, and globalization. It is ideal for students who are interested in working with Spanish-speaking populations in the United States, as it includes intensive Spanish language classes, an internship or independent research opportunity, and courses that help students understand the connections between globalization and migration and learn from diverse communities that are organizing for positive social change around issues of race, ethnicity, socio-economic class, gender, sexuality, economics, and the environment.
In addition to core courses in History, Political Science and Women's Studies, Internship and Independent Study courses may be transferred for credit in History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Political Science, Religion, Spanish and Women's Studies and more.
Learn About:
- The relationship between globalization and migration, emigration, and immigration
- Communities that are responding to the forces of globalization and migration
- Fomenting positive social change around issues of race, ethnicity, socio-economic class, gender, sexuality, economics, politics, and the environment
Engaging Conversations:
- Feminist scholars and activists
- Members of rural and urban communities who have been particularly affected by U.S. immigration policies
- Polictical and economic officers from teh U.S. embassy in Mexico City
Student Life:
The CGE campus in Mexico is a 15-minute walk from downtown Cuernavaca and the main city plaza, in the neighborhood of San Antón. CGE is well established in San Antón and has many friends and close connections in the neighborhood, including some of the homestay families. CGE is located at the top of one of the large ravines that runs through the city, offering a dramatic view from the nearby bridge that leads to downtown. Because of the ravine, there is a 100 foot waterfall right in the neighborhood, a local eco-tourist attraction. Right across the bridge, students will find a large public garden/park, an independent movie theater, the Cathedral, and several popular cafés. CGE-Mexico’s campus includes ample living and study space for students, a library, computer labs and wireless internet, kitchen and dining areas, and outdoor patios and gardens. The Universal language school, where students take Spanish courses, conveniently is located right up the street and has a swimming pool and racquetball court.
Courses:
Choose three or four of the following:
- Enviornmental Biology (Biology 118)
- Environmental Theology and Ethics (Women's Studies/Religion 313)
- Mexican History, Culture, and Cosmovision (History/Women’s Studies 357)
- Globalization, Social Struggles, and the Environment (Political Science/Women’s Studies 341)
- Contemporary Latin American Women: Texts and Voices (Spanish/Women’s Studies 335); taught only in Spanish
- Precolumbian, Colonial, and Contemporary Mexican Art (Art/Spanish 231)
- Internship or independent research in:
- American Indian Studies
- Business
- Cross-Cultural Studies
- Environmental Studies,
- History
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Marketing
- Political Science
- Religion
- Spanish
- Women's Studies
- Youth and Family Ministry
- Up to three of 16+ Spanish language course, with beginning to advanced options and including specialized courses such as Spanish for Heritage Speakers, Business Spanish, Spanish for Ministry, and Spanish for Healthcare
- A non-credit physical education course in Latin dance
Regional Travel:
- A week-long seminar on migration and globalization with homestays in a village were students will also learn about Nahua Indigenous spirituality, gender roles, and ecology
- A short seminar in Mexico City to meet with elected officials, feminists, religious leaders, and prominent leaders of grassroots organizations, in addition to a home for migrants
- Weekend excursions (included in program fee) to locations such as the Monarch butterfly sanctuary, Oaxaca, Puebla, Taxco, Teotihuacan, Toluca, and the Nevado de Toluca volcano
Pre-Session Spanish
Students who would like to gain some basic Spanish or brush up on their Spanish can take additional Spanish classes before the semester begins by making arrangements directly with our partner language school in Cuernavaca, Mexico. We particularly advise students who have little or no Spanish or plan to register for an internship to travel to the region early to take Spanish classes.