Ecuador: Culture and Development

Coursework

Prerequisites:
Three recent semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent and the ability to follow coursework in Spanish, as assessed by SIT.

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The interdisciplinary coursework presented in this program addresses key issues related to Ecuadorian culture and development, including the multicultural character of Ecuadorian society and the country’s history, political processes, economics, society, and environment. Students examine the principal aspects of the development model used in Ecuador today and obtain alternative perspectives on this issue. During the term, students will also develop skills in field methodology to be utilized during the Independent Study Project (ISP). Through an extensive examination of the diverse issues shaping contemporary Ecuador, students gain new perspectives to be applied to other national and international settings. Intensive Spanish language study allows students to more effectively engage with local scholars, experts, and community members on these issues in order to more fully understand Ecuador today.

The following syllabi are either from a recent session of this program or for an upcoming session. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.

The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.

Culture and Development - syllabus (PDF)
(LACB 3000 / 4 credits / 60 class hours)
An interdisciplinary course conducted in Spanish, with required readings, examining both historical and current sociocultural and economic development trends and related movements in the Ecuadorian context with a particular emphasis on the multicultural composition of Ecuadorian society. Resources utilized in the delivery of course content include Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Universidad Intercultural Amawtay Wasi, FACES (Fundación de Acción Comunitaria), and Casa de la Mujer.

Students enrolled in the Ecuador: Culture and Development program typically test into one of the following three courses: SPAN 2500, SPAN 3000, or SPAN 3500. However, should a student test higher or lower than these classes, arrangements will be made for a specialized language study. Please contact the SIT Study Abroad Admissions office to request more information regarding these special cases.

Intensive Language Study: Intermediate Spanish - syllabus (PDF)
(SPAN 2500 / 6 credits / 90 class hours)
Intensive Language Study: Intermediate Spanish II and Advanced Spanish I - syllabus (PDF)
(SPAN 3000 / 6 credits / 90 class hours)
Intensive Language Study: Advanced Spanish I/II - syllabus (PDF)
(SPAN 3500 / 6 credits / 90 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 (PDF)
(ANTH 3500 / 2 credits / 30 class hours)
A course in the concepts of learning across cultures and from field experience. Introduction to the Independent Study Project. Material includes cross-cultural adaptation and skills building; Workbook for Intercultural Dialogue; 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; maintaining a work journal.

Independent Study Project - syllabus (PDF)
(ISPR 3000 / 4 credits / 120 class hours)
Conducted in Quito or another approved location in Ecuador appropriate to the project. Sample topic areas: indigenous crafts and agriculture; role of women in economy and society; export trade and the changing economic system; conservation efforts led by grassroots organizations; regional rural development; traditional healing and medicine; ecotourism; health, social services, and educational case studies; Andean culture, ethnicity, and multicultural society.

Browse this program's Independent Study Projects/Undergraduate Research

Credits: 16

Duration: 15 weeks

Program Base: Quito

Language Study: Kichwa, Spanish

Prerequisites: 3 semesters college-level Spanish or the equivalent and the ability to follow coursework in Spanish, as assessed by SIT. Read more...