Faculty Director
Academic Details
This 3-credit seminar program explores a variety of themes and issues related to democratization and political reform, security, public health, ethnic and national identity, poverty and unemployment, decentralization and local governance, and other topics related to South Africa, which may include:
- The Historic Struggle for Democracy and Human Rights
- Post-1994 Political Reform and Challenges
- The Significance of Current Political Uncertainties
- Civil Society and Political Participation
- Decentralization and Local Governance
- Challenges of Economic Growth, Restructuring and Redistribution
- Strategies for Reducing Poverty and Improving Equality
- HIV/AIDS: Public Health, Social Impact, and Economic Implications
- Foreign Policy
- South Africa's Stability and Security in a Troubled Region
- Environmental Challenges in a Developing Country Context
- The Media
SIS can also help students who participate in the seminar obtain an internship with a partner organization in Cape Town. The internship experience is not an integrated part of the seminar program and can be done for credit, or on a non-credit bearing basis for MA students only who wish to complete their professional experience requirement. A list of potential internship organizations can be found in the Forms section of this page.
Site Visits
Site visits could include the South African Parliament, Robben Island (the island prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated), Table Mountain, Cape Point and the Cape Peninsula Drive, a cooperative agricultural enterprise, historic Stellenbosch, several townships and relevant NGOs.
2013 Program Dates (TENTATIVE)
Pre-Departure Workshop: April/May (date TBA)
Arrival in Cape Town: May 16
Seminar program: May 16 - June 2
Departure from Cape Town: June 3
Optional internships: variable dates
Program Costs
AU tuition plus program fee (details provided in the program guide).
Who Should Attend
This multi-disciplinary program is designed for graduate students. Graduate students with interests in comparative political systems, policy analysis, international development, history, economics, human rights, international business, international communication, African area studies, and peace and conflict resolution are invited to apply. Advanced undergraduates who have completed at least 90 credits toward the completion of their degree are also invited to apply.
Logistics
Students are required to make their own travel arrangements to and from Cape Town. Students in the seminar will be housed in group accommodation for the duration of the seminar dates only; students staying in Cape Town for the optional internship component will be responsible for their own housing during the internship period, starting June 3.
Application and Deadlines
Applications are still being accepted for this program. Space is limited, so please apply as soon as possible.
Students must read the entire program guide before applying.
As part of the review process, the Faculty Director may invite students to meet with him to discuss the submitted application. Enrollment may be limited to approximately 10 students. Once admitted to the program by SIS, students receive notification via e-mail. At that time, students will be required to submit a non-refundable deposit of $250 to SIS, through a check or money order made payable to American University, to secure their place in the program.
