Chile: Social, Economic, and Political Transformation

Coursework

Prerequisites:
Previous college-level coursework in economics, political economy, and/or development studies, as assessed by SIT. Three recent semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent and the ability to follow coursework in Spanish, as assessed by SIT.

The interdisciplinary coursework and field studies in the Chile program provide students with a multifaceted understanding of the country's history, culture, geography, and social and political structure. In addition to intensive Spanish language study and seminars led by local experts, policy makers, and social activists, students develop cross-cultural research skills through the Field Study Seminar and interactions with a variety of Chilean residents. During the final month of the semester, students leverage their collective knowledge and research skills to complete an Independent Study Projects.

The following course descriptions can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Learn more about credit transfer.

Social, Economic, and Political Transformation Seminar - syllabus
LACB 3000 / 6 credits / 90 class hours
An interdisciplinary course conducted in Spanish, with required readings, exploring the political, social, and geographic dynamics affecting Chile’s economic development. Students examine industries such as forestry, mining, agriculture, and tourism to develop a comprehensive understanding of how the global market and local and foreign policies impact Chile’s export-driven economy. Lecturers are drawn from institutions such as the Universidad de Santiago, Centro de Estudios Nacionales de Desarrollo Alternativo (CENDA), the Universidad Católica del Norte, and the Universidad de Concepción.

Intensive Language Study: Intermediate Spanish I - syllabus
SPAN 2004/ 4 credits / 60 class hours
Intensive Language Study: Intermediate Spanish II - syllabus
SPAN 2504/ 4 credits / 60 class hours
Intensive Language Study: Advanced Spanish I - syllabus
SPAN 3004/ 4 credits / 60 class hours
Emphasis on speaking, reading, and writing skills through classroom and field instruction. Based on in-country evaluation, including oral proficiency testing, students are placed in intensive intermediate or advanced classes, with further language practice in homestays, lectures, and field visits.

Field Study Seminar - syllabus
ANTH 3500 / 2 credits / 30 class hours
This course explores concepts in learning across cultures and from field experience. It also serves as an introduction to the Independent Study Project. Material includes: cross-cultural adaptation and skills building; project selection and refinement; appropriate methodologies; field study ethics and the World Learning/SIT Human Subjects Review Policy; developing contacts and finding resources; developing skills in observation and interviewing; gathering, organizing, and communicating data; and maintaining a work journal.

Independent Study Project - syllabus
ISPR 3000 / 4 credits / 120 class hours
The Independent Study Project (ISP) is an opportunity for students to critically examine a topic, situation, or community related to economic development and globalization in Chile. Some examples of previous ISP topics include: foreign investment and export production; role of shipping and transport in the export-led economic model; Latin American dependency in a new light; gender relations and households in the new global economy; poverty, income distribution, and changing patterns of labor participation; indigenous societies and global capitalism; US foreign policy and the Chilean economic model.

Browse this program's Independent Study Projects/Undergraduate Research