Courses
The
courses we offer in this program are
specially designed and they focus on issues of global importance.
Each course is both interactive and challenging.
The
transcripts are issued by Megatrend University of Applied
Sciences, our ongoing academic partner and the oldest and biggest private university in South East
Europe.
Poverty,
Social Struggle and Revolution:
Poverty
is one of the most pressing problems in the world today and this
course will provide you with an overview of the causes of poverty
and some of the ways out of it. A specific objective is to
identify and analyze the role of politics in both the causation
and elimination of poverty.
Poverty
is an intrinsic component of the daily struggles for survival of
the more than one billion people in the developing world. Poverty
is rising rapidly in Europe and Central Asia, and continuing to
rise in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. In Asia, where most
of the world’s poor live, the proportion in poverty has declined
over the past two decades although the Asian crisis slowed down
overall progress. In general, the world appears to be divided into
clusters of countries, the worst of which seem to be caught in a
‘poverty trap’. The course will address to what extent the
continued existence of poverty can be attributed to national and
international policies. In this context, certain key questions
will be addressed: What are the causes of extreme poverty and
famine and the role of politics in combating such deprivation? Why
have conventional approaches to development not had greater impact
on poverty reduction? Will a human rights-based approach to
poverty reduction result in greater urgency and effectiveness in
tackling the problem? What has been the role of bilateral and
multilateral agencies in poverty reduction and are certain regimes
better equipped to eradicate poverty than others?
In
addition we will be focusing on the ways in which ideological,
political, and legal-institutional factors have shaped the
historical development, current structure, and future
possibilities for welfare policy at an international level.
Discussion will center on public welfare, medical care,
social security and workfare, and the racial distribution of
poverty.
This
course will emphasize class discussion and group interaction as a
part of the learning process. An
important part of this course will be building connections with
local organizations that will serve as examples of actors in the
political arena, to better understand the process and its effect
in the “real world”. After analyzing the current social
situation in Buenos Aires, students will then decide on an issue
they would like to impact, and through a community service project
they will be given the resources necessary to help make a
difference.
“A small
group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's
the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret
Mead
Issues
and Perspectives in Latin America
Issues
and Perspective in Latin America is designed to introduce students
to Latin American studies, discuss key contemporary issues,
understand the historical roots of Latin America dilemmas and
challenges, and explore the political implications for development
and democracy building Latin America.
Students
will benefit from group discussion of assigned readings, guest
lecturers and visits to social organizations that play key roles
in history in the making.
This
course is designed to give you a concise introduction to a broad
topic: Latin American History from the European invasion of the
Americas to the present. In order to facilitate your
understanding, the course will emphasize key themes. These include
1) the profound social and cultural changes brought about under
Spanish and Portuguese rule, 2) the rocky transition throughout
Latin America from colonial status to independent nationhood
during the nineteenth century and 3) the dilemmas of unequal
development, civil strife, and foreign intervention in the region
during the twentieth century. The course readings and activities
are selected to provoke ideas about the role of human individuals
in historical processes, and the manner in which individual and
collective histories coincide. Once the foundation for historical
events is established we will focus on current issues.
Course Objectives:
-
Identify
key events and turning points in the general history of Latin
America
.
-
Understand the nature and
direction of historical change in Latin America since 1492 and
formulate arguments about the relative importance of social,
economic, political and cultural factors in generating that
change.
-
Compare
and contrast the historical experiences of several Latin
American nations and discuss the historical origins and
development of the various social sectors comprising Latin
American Societies.
“It
is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human
history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts
to improve the life of others, or strikes out against injustice,
he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.”
Robert Francis Kennedy
Lure
of the Outsider: An Exploration of Culture through Art
This
interdisciplinary art course aims to explore Argentinean culture
and produce artwork inspired by such exploration. We will discern
the sense of place that can often be taken for granted by locals. Sense
of place is one of many
characteristics which displayed by people congruent with local
identity, it is also a sense of the beauty and the wealth of a
particular place, and it is also the factor that makes an
environment psychologically comfortable.
The
canvas will be the elegant city of Buenos Aires, home to 40
percent of the population, a buzzing metropolis with a rich,
passionate and tortured history that is integral to its character.
It is Europe and South America contained in one geographical
location, with elements of the unknown around each corner. It is
familiar and strange at the same time, but at its very core,
wonderfully welcoming. Neither
glamour nor passion is in short supply in this cosmopolitan hub
where locals are equally versed in football, politics and fashion.
There are disparities between the rich and poor, with many people
living in near slum conditions in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
Due to corruption and political mismanagement, the middle class
has decreased greatly in numbers and social polarity has become
the norm.
Through
this course we will explore contemporary art in Latin America and
find a niche for our own work and style. This course is open to
all art mediums. [Photography, Painting, Film, Drawing, Etc.]
However, please have in mind of the restraints imposed by being
abroad. We will try to find all the resources necessary such as a
photography lab, computers, art stores, etc. but we ask that you
come as prepared as possible to produce meaningful work with the
resources available.
This
course will do its best to include guest lectures, excursions to
museums, galleries, show openings, artist studio visits, etc. in
order to serve as a guide to produce meaningful artwork.
“The worst
thing you can do in art is hesitate”
Dan Stepp
Learn
Spanish!* [Optional
Seminar]
While the
traditional methods of learning Spanish may require you to spend
considerable time and effort to learn Spanish we will do our best
to help you learn through various fun ways which will allow you to
enjoy the learning process. This
will not be your typical boring high school Spanish class. Our
goal is to make classes fun so that you’ll not only learn but
you’ll be able to remember and apply the knowledge you’ll gain
from our program. This crash course is designed for students who
are only able to study the language for a very short period of
time (up to four weeks). It is designed both for absolute
beginners who would like to get on a decent level of Spanish, as
well as for students who want to refresh their existing Spanish
skills.
For those interested
in practicing their Spanish, a language and cultural exchange
group may be available. It is made up of other Spanish students
and students studying English. Students take turns practicing
their language and sharing information about their culture. This
will really help get a real world perspective as you meet students
with more things in common than you’d ever expect. With
this program we hope you’ll be able to learn basic skills and
apply them throughout your stay in Buenos Aires known as one of
the most dynamic cities in Latin America. The people of Argentina
are amongst some of the friendliest Spanish speakers in the world
which will be the ideal playground to exercise your learned
skills.
-
The
program will be monitored and guided by a tutor.
-
The
courses are offered for beginners to Intermediate non-native
speakers
-
We will also do our best to
make sure you are learning and having fun at the same time so
that you will really make this a valuable experience.
More
than a course... an experience
- Young and modern
atmosphere where every student plays a very important role
- Weekly
activities that will make your stay unforgettable
- Best place to get to
know people and make new friends that will last a lifetime
Quality
of teaching
- Experienced
and motivated teachers
- We will try to give the most individualized attention possible
so that every student’s
needs are met
- Small groups allowing more individual attention.
Quality
of service
- Quick
response to your questions/ problems
- Program directors and
faculty will be readily available
*Please
note that this seminar has an enrollment minimum requirement and
may not be offered
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