University of Massachusetts Amherst / Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies

CLACLS 2009 Alternative Spring Break Lat Am 396/496/596 (3 credits)

A Visit to the Santo Domingo and Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic: History, Culture, Globalization and Community Involvement

[Five College applicants are welcome]

Course Description/Purpose of pre-travel classes:

To familiarize prospective participants of the CLACLS 2009 Alternative Spring Break in the

Dominican Republic (March 13-22) with the history, society and cultural traditions of this country. Basic knowledge of Spanish is required. Lectures by: Ginetta Candelario (LAS/Soc, Smith C), Carlene Edie (Pol Sci, UMass), Isabel Espinal (Librarian , UMass), Jose Hernandez (Hist, UMass), Roberto Marquez (LAS, Mt Holyoke C), and Julie Skogsbergh (Anthro, UMass).

Objectives of the delegation:

At the close of this ten-day visit and service experience, students should:

• Be familiar with Dominican history, culture and customs and understand how these elements have played a key role in the behavior and culture of Dominicans today.

• Understand how the U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic affected its history and current society.

• Be able to compare and contrast the characteristics of the Dominican system for the provision of social services to that of the U.S.

• Be able to conduct critical analysis of issues related to globalization and development that occur in the context of the developing world.

• Compare and contrast issues present in urban versus rural areas of the Dominican Republic.

• Understand the important role of non-profit and community based organizations in the development of local communities in the Dominican Republic.

• Engage in cultural exchange with Dominican professionals, communities and local groups to further understand the dynamics that shape a culture and country in the developing world.

• Contribute to local service project with a grassroots women's group in a rural area of the Dominican Republic.

Requirements:

Class attendance, completion of assignments, participation in class discussions, final paper/ project, and an oral presentation of the final paper/project. Two-person team final projects are allowed. The final paper/project must be handed in three weeks after the visit to the Dominican Republic (April 8), so that the final oral presentations may be scheduled during the last five weeks of the semester. The delegation to the Dominican Republic will take place during the 2008 Spring Break. Meeting Times and Location:

Class meetings will be held on Wednesdays, Jan 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, and March 4 and 11, from 6:30-9pm, at a location to be determined. Five more weekly classes will be held at the end of the semester: April 8,15, 22, 29, and May 6. Registration method:

To register for the course students must contact Gloria Bernabe-Ramos at the telephones and emails below, from the beginning of Fall 08 registration counseling period (Nov 5, 2008), through the first week of classes Spring 09 (Jan 30, 2009), but early registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited. In addition, if you do not have a passport, you are encouraged to apply for one immediately.

For further information please contact:

CLACLS Alternative Spring Break Director / Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies / 520 Thompson Hall, UMass Amherst, MA 01003-2977

Tel.: (413) 545-4868/4648; Fax: (413) 545-1244 Email: gbr@cas.umass.edu or las@econs.umass.edu