Location:

Montevideo, Uruguay

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

MayMester Intersession, Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Buenos Aires and Montevideo are two of the most dynamic and sophisticated cities in Latin America. In this intensive three-week program of art, politics, history and literature, American university students immerse themselves in the daily life of these two capital cities on South America's River Plate. Classroom lectures and discussions are mixed with site visits from the Tigre Delta to Montevideo’s Barrio Sur, and provide academic content equivalent to three or four hours of U.S. undergraduate university credit.

Short lectures from the principal instructor introduce the topics to be studied, but most class time is devoted to discussion of readings and experiences during site visits. Readings include a variety of genres, with historical works devoted to Argentine and Uruguay culture (Hernández, Sarmiento, Rodó), short stories from important 20th century fiction writers (Cortázar, Ocampo, Borges, Bioy Casares, Arlt), one short allegorical novel on the Perón years (Bioy Casares), memoirs, poetry and government reports documenting different perspectives on the "Dirty War" of the 1970s (Actis, Gelman, National Commission on the Disappeared), and critical pieces on tango and ethnicity (Corradi, Andrews).

The course offers the equivalent of 3 or 4 hours of US university credit, at least 45 contact hours. The program provides a detailed syllabus and the credentials of the main instructor and guest speakers, and students are encouraged to arrange for the approval of credit and the posting of the letter grade at their home institution. In the past, students have earned intermediate-level credit in Latin American culture on their home campuses. The program can provide a written evaluation of the student’s work.

Setting Description:

Short lectures introduce topics, but most time is devoted to discussion of readings and experiences during site visits. Readings include historical works on Argentine and Uruguay culture (Hernández, Sarmiento, Rodó), short stories from important 20th century writers (Cortázar, Ocampo, Borges, Bioy Casares, Arlt), a short novel on the Perón years (Bioy Casares), memoirs, poetry and reports documenting different perspectives on the "Dirty War" (Actis, Gelman, National Commission on the Disappeared), and critical pieces on tango and ethnicity (Corradi, Andrews).