Examine how cultural memory and collective identities engage present-day social movements and rewrite Mediterranean geopolitics.
16
None
Spanish
English
Jan 25 – May 9
Spain
Morocco
Sevilla
Required
Geopolitics & Power
Peace & Justice
In recent decades social movements, protests, and collective action have become central to the political landscape of the Mediterranean. From the program base in Seville and during a 10-day excursion to Morocco, you will engage with politicians, activists, NGOs, and grassroots organizations to understand the most pressing issues in the region. These movements have emerged to consolidate neglected rights, raise awareness of political and social conflicts, show discontent, and advocate for the rights of minorities and disenfranchised identities. This voluntary gathering and collective action acts as a catalyst for broad social change and cultural transformation, and has become a hallmark of Spanish politics. In Seville and Morocco, you will meet with various stakeholders throughout the semester, as well as design independent study projects to delve deeply into research that focuses on these issues.
Modern democracies are increasingly challenged to understand what happens beyond the major institutions of governance, and Spain is an excellent place to understand what has been called the “politics of the streets.” In Spain, nationalist and independence movements, feminist and women’s rights movements, anti-austerity movements, anti-eviction organizations, educational organizations, and environmental organizations compose a major part of the political and social landscape. Through site visits, lectures, excursions, independent research, and internships, you’ll see how social movements are formed and how political action is advanced across a variety of social sectors.
None
Students studying on this SIT semester-length program can choose to simultaneously complete a minor, with no additional coursework or cost. At SIT, a minor is a minimum of 16 credits taken within a content area. This standout credential can help boost your future job or graduate school applications.
SIT's program in Spain offers the choice to do a minor in Mediterranean studies or political science. You'll develop analytical skills in comparative politics, social movement theory, and collective action strategies while engaging with activists, NGOs, and grassroots organizations in Seville, other nearby cities, and during the excursion to northern Morocco. Through coursework on democratic participation and cross-Mediterranean politics, field visits to civil society organizations, and your Independent Study Project or internship, you'll examine feminist movements, migration advocacy networks, cultural memory politics, and environmental activism, while analyzing how collective action shapes contemporary democracy and geopolitical dynamics across the Mediterranean region.
During the ten-day excursion to northern Morocco, you will explore the cities of Tangier, Rabat, and Chefchaouen to learn about the historical and current cultural and political relations between Spain and North Africa. During a visit to Assadaka Association, learn about how this organization addresses issues of migration and refuge, and women’s rights movements in Morocco. In Tangier, learn about Spain and Morocco’s relations and its geopolitical importance in the Mediterranean. which stretches back thousands of years. Visit Rabat, the dynamic and vibrant capital of Morocco, home of the Parliament and national government. Through meetings with political and social actors, as well as with academics and cultural activists, you will examine the multidimensional complexities of northern Morocco and learn from an active and participatory civil society.
Cáceres is a beautiful medieval town located in the autonomous community of Extremadura, about two hours from Seville. Here, you will learn about historical memory, social movements, environmental issues like lithium mining and solar energy, and sustainable agriculture cooperatives from lecturers at the University of Extremadura and social movement activists.
Please note that SIT will make every effort to maintain its programs as described. To respond to emergent situations, however, SIT may have to change or cancel programs.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
Read more about Program Learning Outcomes.
The following syllabi are representative of this program. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.
The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.
Social Movements, Collective Action, and Democracy – syllabus
(EURO3000 / 3 credits)
In this seminar, students will study the rise, consolidation, and reaction against social movements concerned with human rights, identity politics, memory recovery, labor rights, women’s rights, and migration, among others. This course analyzes how and when social movements emerge, how they organize, how they act, the relations and alliances they form, or the discourses they create. Contemporary and classic social movement theory, as well as the analysis of empirical cases from different parts of Europe, Morocco, and Spain, will help students understand the question of the future role that these movements may have as collective political actors in the coming years.
Cultural Identity and Transformations in the Mediterranean – syllabus
(EURO3500 / 3 credits)
During this multidisciplinary course, students will study the state of relations between Spain, Morocco, and the European Union, as well as other countries in the region. The course will also analyze in depth the ways in which local communities struggle to preserve cultural roots, identity, and their own memory and history. Students will also study how these issues are understood and experienced from outside of the EU at different levels, learning from a global perspective with a comparative lens.
Beginning Spanish I – syllabus
(SPAN1003 / 3 credits)
Beginning Spanish II – syllabus
(SPAN1503 / 3 credits)
Intermediate Spanish – syllabus
(SPAN2003 / 3 credits)
Spanish for Political and Cultural Studies: Intermediate High – syllabus
(SPAN2503 / 3 credits)
Spanish for Political and Cultural Studies: Advanced – syllabus
(SPAN-3003 / 3 credits)
This course aims to develop sophisticated skills in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Spanish for political and cultural studies through traditional classroom instruction and field-based activities. While emphasis is placed primarily upon oral comprehension and developing conversational competencies (i.e. listening and speaking), reading and writing are also highlighted as crucial to the reinforcement of those skills.
Vocabulary about political and cultural contexts is built into the course and introduced through audiovisual materials and experiential activities accompanying the textbook that has been specifically prepared for SIT program students. This high intermediate level of Spanish gives the students in-depth background into everyday life, enabling the grasp of critical language skills necessary for performing a variety of activities. The objective of the course is to review and expand on topics including communicating with Spanish-speaking politicians and activists, building the student’s practical terminology in Spanish, and enhancing the student’s oral and written communication skills in Spanish.
Choose one of the following two courses:
Social Science Methods and Ethics in Global Contexts – syllabus
(RSCH3500 / 3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce you to the methodological tools deployed by social scientists to conduct empirically grounded and theoretically engaged research. The course will cover the basic elements of research design, the role of theory in empirical research, and the ethics for social scientific research, with particular attention to the complex ethical considerations that arise when conducting research in international and cross-cultural contexts. Students will gain hands-on experience with both basic quantitative and qualitative methods, with the flexibility to emphasize their preferred methodological approach in their final work. Using this project-based approach, the course will prepare you to design and execute social science research projects while developing competency across methodological traditions.
OR
Global Organizational Culture and Ethics – syllabus
(GOCE3500 / 3 credits)
This course equips students to engage meaningfully and ethically in internship experiences across diverse sociopolitical, cultural, environmental, and global contexts. Using a critical, practice-based approach, students examine the nature and purpose of internships as transformative experiential learning opportunities that connect to the program’s Critical Global Issue theme. Emphasis is placed on navigating workplace and organizational cultures, reflecting on identity and positionality in professional settings, and applying ethical principles to working globally with communities, individuals, and environments—particularly in collaboration with vulnerable populations and in sensitive ecological or habitat settings.
In addition to taking the above courses, students will choose one of the following two tracks:
Independent Study Project – syllabus
(ISPR3000 / 4 credits)
The Independent Study Project (ISP) is a self-designed research project offering students the opportunity to undertake a personally significant and independent investigation, which highlights the regional and cultural reality that can only be encountered during a study abroad experience. The ISP is the academic component in which the student most directly applies the concepts, skills, tools, and techniques of experience-based learning articulated through the Research Methods and Ethics course and the thematic courses, while enabling students to further integrate their language skills and the contacts they have developed in the homestay and in the broader community. Each student will plan, develop, and independently undertake a research project, with the advice and guidance of the academic director and an ISP Advisor—a local academic and/or health or humanitarian aid professional. The topic of study may be anything of interest to the student, within the scope of the program and the immediate region, and is usually developed out of lectures, discussions, field visits, and educational excursions. The final project should provide material evidence of student capability in utilizing appropriate methodologies and in synthesizing experiences in the host culture. Students are expected to complete 120 hours of field-based (non-archival, non-library) research on their topic, submit a substantial written paper, and deliver an accompanying oral presentation. It is not uncommon for ISPs to strongly contribute to the student’s choice of subject for graduate studies or professional career.
Sample topic areas:
Internship and Seminar – syllabus
(ITRN-3000/ 4 credits)
This seminar consists of a four-week internship with either a local community/international organization, research center, business, or government agency. The aim of this internship is to provide students with valuable experience and to enhance their skills in a career/professional environment related to core program themes. The Internship and Seminar course includes various components that support the student through the internship learning process. They include meetings while at the internship, seminar lectures, discussions, and reflections, writing of progress reports, research and writing the final paper, and preparation for the final presentation.
You may choose to live in a homestay in Seville. Spend 12 weeks living with a local family in the multicultural city of Seville and become immersed in the daily life and rich cultural heritage of your host family. You’ll experience what it’s like to be part of an Andalusian family as you participate in colorful Spanish traditions and celebrations. Your host family will share insider tips on how to spend leisure time in and around the city and the best places to enjoy tapas.
Seville is the birthplace of flamenco and was the first city named a UNESCO Creative City of Music due to its vibrant performing and visual arts cultures. Experience tradition and modernity in a city with a small town-vibe where you will be able to enjoy a walk home while admiring UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Plaza España, The Cathedral, the Alcazars, Giralda, and others.
You will stay in a student residence in Seville. Placements are shared with other students on the program. There will be a kitchen and dining room, a washing machine in the building, air conditioning, and wi-fi. You can travel to the SIT office or university campus in about 20 minutes via tram.
Please note that specific housing locations and amenities are subject to change.
Hostels and modest hotels
Students on this program may consider career paths in different sectors including with:
Public policy consultancy organizations
Pressure groups
Public relations companies
European Commission delegation in Washington
International development agencies
Government and administrative institutions
SIT Study Abroad is committed to ensuring that international education is within reach for all students. We believe in the transformative power of immersive, intercultural experiences and are dedicated to supporting students in their educational journey.
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A critical step in preparing for your study abroad program is planning how you will maintain your health and wellbeing. Please review the following information carefully and contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
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Students are required to obtain a visa for this program. Your admissions officer will provide you further guidance on the process and support documents. Please do not apply without instructions from your admissions officer.
