The Program
Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice: Republic of South Africa
This seminar will examine the strategic ways in which leaders have sought to institutionalize their activism and public dissent. The class will utilize an interactive discussion format. On a macro-level, the focus will include founders of civil and human rights organizations and other social change pressure groups. On a micro-level, we will contrast leadership roles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his co-founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and Nelson Mandela and his leadership role in the African National Congress (ANC); and historic election as the first fully democratic president of South Africa.
Program Locations
South Africa
Johannesburg
Johannesburg—or Joburg" or "Jozi" as some prefer to call it—offers visitors an experience as unique and diverse as the city itself. Despite being a major financial and economic hub for not only South Africa but also sub-Saharan Africa, the city's living conditions vary immensely. The city hosts a dynamic cultural scene and has many historical sites and museums which capture remarkable narratives of the past.
South Africa
Cape Town
Cape Town is not only the most popular international tourist destination in South Africa, but Africa as a whole. This is due to its good climate, natural setting, and well-developed infrastructure. The city has several well-known natural features that attract tourists, most notably Table Mountain, which can be experienced either by hiking up, or by taking a cable car. You will take a ferry to visit Robben Island Museum, the notorious prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
Academics
Classes will be taught in a small seminar format. Students will explore a combination of readings of great social movement thinkers; and draw from historical and contemporary case studies to provide comparative and contrasting ideas of King and Mandela (importantly complemented with discussions about other key influencers, such as Gandhi, Henry David Thoreau, Kwame Nkrumah, among many others). The important role of multiracial and interfaith groups during these time periods will be explored along with issues pertaining to self-sacrifice and the ethics of movement leadership will also be addressed.
Objectives:
The objectives of the course are as follows:
1. Compare and contrast the historic similarities, and dissimilarities of the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Apartheid Movement
2. Compare and contrast the leadership styles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela
3. Understand the underpinnings of the influences of Henry David Thoreau on Gandhi and, later on King
4. Understand the usage of the nonviolence method of conflict resolution in the American Civil Rights Movement & Anti-Apartheid Movement used by Gandhi, King and Mandela
5. Develop increased awareness of students’ own leadership abilities and qualities. Students will utilize knowledge gained from class readings and assignments to complete a qualitative research project.
6. Students will look introspectively about implicit bias, to better understand the scope, scale and challenges of the broader societal social & economic justice underpinnings.
Housing and Meals
Students will be housed in guest house and hotel accommodations. Students will share double rooms. Breakfast provided daily. Students are responsible for lunch and dinner. Some group meals included.
Financial Information
Program Costs
All Students | |
---|---|
Program Cost | $1,390 |
Program Cost includes:
• Housing
• Most meals
• Program excursions
• In-country transportation
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Insurance Abroad
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Meals | $250 |
Personal Expenses | $100 |
Airfare | $2,000 |
Total | $2,350.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket, while some of these expenses, such as meals and personal expenses, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
* A subsidy of $500 per student will be available to help cover airfare through Honors College and SAS Honors Programs.