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Argentina & Uruguay

Development, Gender & Migration in South America

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Homestays
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Learn about debates surrounding policies and practices of migration, gender, and development in South America, comparing Argentina and Uruguay.

At a Glance

Credits

Prerequisites

2 semesters of college-level Spanish

Courses taught in

Spanish, English

Dates

Dec 28 ‎– Jan 15

Program Base

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Critical Global Issue of Study

Development & Inequality

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Overview

On this program, you will analyze the election of progressive governments in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Bolivia at the end of the 1990s. You will discuss and examine the development models these governments followed, as well as their impact on gender issues and migrant communities. During the program, you will also explore landmark policies of this period related to rights for women, LGBTQI+, vulnerable migrant, and ethnic communities. You will critically analyze the limitations of these models and policies, as well as recent political events that have reshaped discussions in the region with the return of more conservative social and political trends. In addition, you will consider questions regarding central political and economic events, as well as development models in dispute.

Through visits in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, you will compare perspectives on urgent issues facing the region. You will also participate in activities with activists and leaders of migrant populations and other vulnerable groups working to influence public policy and development models.

Highlights

Examine development models with a focus on gender and migration.
Visit women´s organizations and learn about their historic demands for equal rights and justice.
Meet with representatives of the Colectiva Lohana Berkins to learn about their struggle for rights of the Trans-Travesti community.
Spend the weekend with a Paraguayan migrant family in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
Participate in a migrant culinary group project formed by a diverse community of women from Paraguay, Peru, Haiti, and Senegal.

Prerequisites

Two semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent.

Program Sites

Buenos Aires & Montevideo

You will spend two weeks of the course in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, which offers an ideal atmosphere to discuss politics in and outside class. In Buenos Aires, there are a multitude of diverse migrant communities and LGBTQI+ spaces, as well as iconic sites memorializing the country’s struggles for democracy and social justice. Buenos Aires is an ideal city to discover by bicycle, which will be one of the optional means of transport while in the city.

You will take the ferry across La Plata river to spend one week in Montevideo, the capital of one of the most progressive and egalitarian countries within Latin America. Montevideo´s tranquil atmosphere, near the beach, offers an ideal scenario for reflection and learning.

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.

Academics

Coursework

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.

Please expand the sections below to see detailed course information, including course codes, credits, overviews, and syllabi.

Program Components

Lectures from university scholars, community-based organizations, and local women´s and LGBTQI+ leaders
Field and participant observations, group discussions, and exercises focused on gender and migration in South America.
Educational excursions to Montevideo, Uruguay.
A homestay in central Buenos Aires and a weekend with a Paraguayan migrant family on the outskirts of the city.

Development, Gender, & Migration in South America

Development, Gender, & Migration in South America
(LACB3000/3 credits)

This course is divided into three modules. The first module will look at development in South America from an economic and decolonization perspective with case studies from across the region. The second module will look at development and migration exploring the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This module will also look at migration theory and describe South to South migration. The third module will introduce students to contemporary feminist theory and practice and its impact on development discourse.

Homestays

BUENOS AIRES

By living with a host family in Buenos Aires you will have the opportunity to improve your language skills and learn firsthand about urban Argentine life. Host families come from middle-class backgrounds and work in many different fields. Typically, they live in apartments or small houses in the centrally located Palermo neighborhood. While in Buenos Aires you will have your own bicycle to move around the city during the daytime. Other transportation options are also available.

OUTSKIRTS OF BUENOS AIRES

You will spend a weekend with a transnational family residing in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. This weekend will allow you to get a deeper understanding of differentiated resources and living conditions some migrant workers face.

MONTEVIDEO

In Montevideo, you will live with a middle-class family for one week. Most of the host families are connected to the Universidad de la República, our main academic partner. You will have the opportunity to discuss a multitude of issues throughout the day with students and the professors hosting.

OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS

Small hotels and hostels.

Faculty & Staff