Overview
Why Argentina?
Argentinian society continues to welcome diverse populations even as the right-wing minority grows vocal. Argentinians have historically shown a massive response of activism and mobilization in times of crisis, providing a unique context to witness how organization and resistance take place in a society with a tradition of social movements. From a decolonial perspective, learn about social justice and collective mobilization at the grassroots, local, regional, national, and transnational levels through the study of historical and contemporary cases. Students will be empowered with the tools and skills to take an active role in academic discussions and contemporary struggles of social change and human rights.
Buenos Aires is the heart of this eclectic collection of social movements and organizations. You will live with a local family for eight weeks and have the option to stay in the city during the four-week independent study/internship period. Learn about the most relevant issues on the current human rights agenda from an intersectional approach, working on the interconnection between theory and practice and critically reflecting on possible alternatives and strategies to drive social change. You will have the opportunity to discuss these issues with memory and other human rights activists, factory workers, as well as Afro, migrant, feminist, LGBTQIA+, and other grassroots activists.
During excursions to the Patagonian provinces of Río Negro, Neuquén, and Chubut, the northwestern provinces of Salta and Jujuy, and the Province of Santa Fe, you will analyze the experiences of struggle in these territories and their articulation with the national human rights agenda. Here you will meet rural families struggling to maintain their livelihoods, and indigenous communities organizing to retain their territory, identity, and natural resources. As the human rights agenda emphasizes environmental concerns, you will have the opportunity to visit environmental organizations in Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Jujuy, and Santa Fe. The excursions are unique opportunities to witness how different organizations with similar demands articulate and fight for their rights.
You will also have the opportunity to develop your Spanish language skills through 45 hours of classroom learning in the prestigious Universidad Nacional de San Martín, along with cultural immersion, homestays, and excursions.
Highlights
- Learn about organizations’ creative care strategies developed in response to current events.
- Explore dynamic social movements through a deep theoretical framework and dialogue with academic experts and activists.
- Witness how grassroots organizations fight for human rights and social justice on multiple levels.
- Visit Patagonia and the Argentine Northwest to learn about campesino and indigenous communities.
- Hone your Spanish through homestays, classroom and field instruction.
Prerequisites
Previous college-level coursework or background in social work, political economy, development studies, or Latin American studies, as assessed by SIT. Three recent semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent and the ability to follow coursework in Spanish, as assessed by SIT.