Oaxaca, Mexico (IU-Administered Summer Program)

OAXACA

Culturally, linguistically and environmentally diverse state in southern Mexico, famous for its rich indigenous heritage, arts, languages, and natural beauty

Home to 3.3 million people, 16 major ethnic groups, and speakers of two dozen distinct languages who live in 8 separate environmental zones

Colorful and historic state capital, Oaxaca City, with over 250,000 people, situated in the highland Valley of Oaxaca at 5,100 feet above seal level

PROGRAM ORGANIZATION

12-15 IU students

3-week program

2 orientation sessions in Bloomington prior to departure
22-day program in Oacaxa

IU resident faculty co-directors:

Stacie King, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Anya Royce, Chancellor's Professor of Anthropology
Daniel Suslak, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Catherine Tucker, Assistant Professor of Anthropology

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Heritage and Cultural Diversity in Oaxaca

3 IU credit hours in ANTH-A 406
Course co-taught by four IU faculty; course segments each offered by faculty within their unique areas specialization, including
- Archaeology and indigenous heritage
- Linguistic change and diversity
- Arts and identity
- Indigenous approaches to natural resource management
Oaxaca City will be home base for the first 10 days, with classroom sessions taught by IU co-directors, as well as as half day activities to local attractions, including archaeological sites, museums, markets, or cultural activities.
Remaining days will include travel to the Sierra Norte, the Sierra Mixe, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and the Pacific coast. Students will visit the field sites where each program co-director conducts anthropological research.
Trips will include discussions with local activists, forest managers, and townspeople, and students will have the opportunity to take part in various ecotourism activities and cultural events.
Program concludes back in Oaxaca City.

ELIGIBILITY

You may apply if you

are a degree candidate at any Indiana University campus who is making normal academic progress,

are in at least your third full-time semester of college,

have completed or are enrolled in at least Spanish S150 or S105 this year,

have at least a "B" average in Spanish,

are able to engage in sustained physical activity in the heat, and

have approximately a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Complete eligibility criteria and selection criteria are outlined within the Academic Policies and Procedures of the Office of Overseas Study. Selection is based on maturity, seriousness of purpose, and appropriateness of match between program and applicant. Students on disciplinary probation during program period are not eligible.

ESTIMATED 2008 COSTS

Fee paid to IU: (tuition, insurance, room, two meals daily, excursions)
- Indiana resident: ~~$2,458~~ $1,734
- Nonresident: ~~$2,758~~ $2,034
  Initial prepayment of $500 due March 3.
Evening meals: about $100
Airfare: about $650

Program costs for Indiana University undergraduate students have been reduced through a grant from the Edward L. Hutton Foundation.

FINANCIAL AID

APPLICATION DEADLINE

January 28, 2008

Electronic notification of application status sent within four weeks of application deadline.

MEXICO