Winter Travel Program
Mexico Today: Politics and Society in Cuernavaca, Mexico
About the Program
With its long and rich history, shaped by the encounter and merger of different cultures, Mexico offers a vibrant panorama of contrasts; it is both a rich country and a poor one, with a wealthy elite and a growing middle class living alongside vast urban slums and impoverished peasant villages.
Mexico Today provides a dynamic learning experience - a lively blend of course work and field activities. Through first-hand observations, students will gain a lively appreciation of the changes that are shaping Mexico today, analyzing their experience within the broader context of political, cultural, social, and economic issues.
The program combines classroom instruction with direct field experience, including meetings and interviews with political, industrial, civic, church, and union leaders. Lectures by local experts, followed by discussion and regular seminar meetings, will provide the academic basis for explorations of students’ individual interests. In addition, there will be field trips to a variety of communities, factories, historical sites, social centers, and other areas. Lectures will be conducted in English, and an interpreter will accompany the group in all field activities.
cuernavaca
The Mexico Today program is located in Cuernavaca, known as the "City of Eternal Spring" because of its year-round pleasant climate and abundance of brightly colored flora.
Approximately an hour’s drive from Mexico City, Cuernavaca has long been a lively center of cultural life, education, tourism, economic development, and political activity.
housing
During their stay in Cuernavaca, students live and have their meals in the homes of Mexican families. This experience provides students with an invaluable insight into modern-day Mexican culture and society. Through daily interactions with family members, students will be provided with an excellent opportunity to explore first-hand the cultural and sociological context of Mexican life and to embark on new and enriching relationships.
courses and credit
Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive six credits in Political Science (PolSci 377 and 480). Students in Latin American Studies may enroll for credit in LatAm 478 and 485.
faculty
Professor Ernest Greco, from the Political Science Department at the University of Massachusetts Boston, will supervise all aspects of the program. In addition to holding a daily seminar session, Prof. Greco will direct, advise, and evaluate student work and accompany the group during its activities. Staff from Universal Centro de Lengua, an educational institute in Cuernavaca, will assist the students and organize all field activities.