Washington and Lee University
Faculty in the Sociology and Anthropology Department offer several Spring Term Abroad options for students in 2008.
SOC 406: Culture and Society in Poland (Professor Krzysztof Jasiewicz)
Four weeks (25 days) in Poland, two weeks on campus. The 20th century was for Poland a time of both hope and despair. She was reborn as a free nation only to experience wars, Nazi occupation, and Soviet domination. It played a pivotal role in the struggle that ultimately led to the collapse of communism in Europe, to become a regional leader in the process of transition to pluralist democracy and market economy. Now Poland is a member of NATO and one of the largest countries in the European Union. This spring, approximately ten students will spend almost four weeks in Poland, learning about the factors that shaped Polish national identity, the process of transition away from communism in East Central Europe, and contemporary social and cultural issues. Professor Krzysztof Jasiewicz , a native of Poland, will lead the course, assisted by a number of guest lecturers drafted from among faculties of Poland’s top academic institutions. We will be based in Warsaw – hosted by Collegium Civitas, a private liberal arts college – and take side trips to Kraków (Poland’s ancient capital), Gdansk (the cradle of the Solidarity movement) and the industrial city of Lodz. (6 credits)
Click here for a copy of the syllabus.
Click here for a copy of the application.
INTR 296: Slavery, Race Relations, and Society in the Caribbean (Professors Carey, DeLaney, Dickovick, and Eastwood)
This course examines slavery and its legacies in the Caribbean, with comparative analysis of South America and the United States. Students and faculty members will be in residence in the Caribbean for four weeks, with three weeks in Barbados and one in St. Vincent. The goal of this course is to understand how slavery and race relations have affected -- and continue to affect -- diverse aspects of Caribbean society, including social relations, economies, politics, nationalist movements, and access to natural resources. Students will learn about these issues first hand in classes, on field trips, through individual research projects, and during interactions with local scholars and residents. There are no language requirements or prerequisites, though we strongly encourage students considering the program to take courses related to the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program.
For more information about this course, please see the website for the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program.
