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Cuba: Havana Program
Havana, Cuba
| Program Terms: |
Fall |
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| Budget Sheets |
Fall |
| Fact Sheet: |
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| Housing: | Dormitory | Language Pre-requisite: | 6 semesters of Spanish (or equivalent) |
| Language of Instruction: | English, Spanish | Language Courses Offered: | Yes |
 Non-AU Students Accepted:
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Yes | Internship: | No |
| Advisor: | Brita Doyle | Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
| Class Level Required for Admission: | Second-semester Sophomore standing |
Program Type:
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Not Direct Enrollment |
| Program Description: |
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Update on AU Abroad Cuba Program
AU Abroad is excited to announce the Fall semester program in Havana, Cuba. Details on the program can be found below. The application for Fall 2013 is now open. The program is open to AU students as well as to non-AU students from DC-area colleges and universities!
Is this program right for you?
This program is designed for academically curious students at an advanced level of Spanish who wish to delve deeply into exploring the complex culture, history, international relations, and society of Cuba. This program is right for students who wish to take part in a structured study abroad program. Alongside other study abroad students, participants will take courses taught in English and Spanish by esteemed faculty of American University and Casa de las Americas ("Casa"). Casa is the Cuban government's premier research institution – since its founding in 1959 -- on Caribbean and Latin American studies, Cuban culture and the arts.
Academics
The program will allow students the opportunity discover the rich culture and history of Cuba and Havana. Most of the courses are taught in Spanish, although English is sometimes used for clarification of course material. This program has a set curriculum, and all students will take all courses offered on the program.
Courses offered on the program* include:
* ALL COURSES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
1) Cuban Culture (SIS-310): This course is taught by different teachers, writers and artists. It focuses on Cuban culture as a process governed by the mechanisms of oppression and resistance that caused the dynamic conflicts of the nation of Cuba. Emphasis is therefore on the specific historical periods and and demographic groups, and examines different cultural profiles derived from them. Through distinct artistic and literary approaches, the course goes over the colonial period and the first half of the twentieth century to identify aspects that characterize the long term culture and major turning points. Special interest is devoted to the period after 1959, which involve post-revolutionary concepts, and intensify counter-hegemonic manifestations. The main emphasis of the course is aimed at the contemporary period.
2) Havana as Witness: Cuban History, Politics and Civil Society (HIST-314); This course will make use of Havana’s sights and institutions to examine the following topics in the larger context of the Cuban nation: Historical panorama from colonial to revolutionary period, The construction of the Cuban nationality, Structure of the Political System in Cuba, Current Cuban economy, Cuba-US Relations, Cuban Civil Society, The social repercussion of tourism in Cuba. Because of the possible visit to Santiago de Cuba, Matanzas and others cities in Cuba, the course will also study the contrast between the development of Havana and other cities in Cuba. There will be several other site visits within Havana including the Museo de la Ciudad and general tour of places from the XVI to XIX century, the Museo de la Revolución, the Maqueta de la ciudad (miniature model of the city), and the Museo of alfabetizadores (literacy Campaign museum).
3) Gender + Race + Marginality in Cuba (SIS-310); Topics include: The studies of gender in Cuba and its methodological, multidisciplinary and transcultural approximations; Ideology of gender between Cuban professionals; Cuban “Machismo” and its presence in the society; the margin, the marginal thing and the marginality in Cuban culture; What does mean to be a black in Cuba?; Race and Revolution; The urban tribes of Havana; religions in Cuba.
4) Photojournalism (COMM-526)*; This exciting course will be co-taught by AU Journalist in Residence, Bill Gentile and a Cuban professor. See Professor Gentile's bio. Students will refine photographic skills with an emphasis on a synthesis of craft and expression, while getting to know Havana through the lens. This course is designed to teach the basics of the visual language and how it is used and manifested in the craft of photojournalism. Students learn about the importance and the power of the visual image in communicating ideas and information. They develop an appreciation for, and an understanding of, photojournalism as a craft using light (or the lack of) form, composition and motion as its primary raw materials. They are more able to distinguish a good image from a bad one – and to defend the appraisal of each. Students learn about the history of photojournalism, rich in tradition, mystique and personalities. They learn about the key practitioners of the craft, then and now. They learn about the structure and the business of the craft, from local newspaper to global news and stock photo agencies. In addition, students learn how to apply this craft to the field of Social Documentary, loosely defined as the creative interpretation of reality presented in an effort to instigate change.
5) Advanced Spanish language (SPAN 396); Advanced Spanish language course at the 300 level will be offered. This course is designed to develop students' four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. In addition, the learners will be in direct contact with the Cuban culture and the Cuban linguistic style which will facilitate learning of the Cuban dialect of Spanish.
Pre-requisite
Students attending the semester in Cuba must have at least 6 semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent (suggested completion of SPAN 353 or equivalent experience). Students will be required to bring a digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera with them for the photojournalism course. In the past students have been able to borrow cameras from AU's School of Communication.
Student Life
While the political relationship between the US and Cuba has been volatile at times and strained for most of the past fifty years, there is a friendly fascination on the part of Cubans about the United States and its citizens. The history, socio-economic situation, the culture, and the spirit of the Cuban people are likewise of great interest of Latin American scholars at American University and elsewhere.
The program is operated jointly by American University and Casa de las Americas. An AU graduate student will serve as the Resident Director for the program and primary support contact for the participants, while in consultation with staff at the AU Abroad office and Casa.
Orientation & Excursions
During April 2013, all students will be required to attend three mandatory pre-departure sessions that will take place on AU's campus and will help students to prepare for their semester in Cuba. These sessions include both practical information about living in Cuba as well as an overview of Cuban history and US-Cuban Relations. During the first two weeks on-the-ground in Cuba, students will participate in a cultural orientation to help acquaint them with the city. Students are all required to participate in intensive Spanish language classes as part of the orientation. Outside of the classroom, activities include tours of the city and local attractions.
The program is based in Havana, which is located on the western side of the island of Cuba. There will be two program sponsored excursions to sites within Cuba during the semester. Potential destinations include Santa Clara, Trinidad or Remedios, and Cienfuegos in the center part of the island as well as another trip to Santiago de Cuba on the eastern part of the island.
Housing & Meals
Students will be housed in a modest residence with other study abroad students during their stay in Cuba. Situated in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana, students will be in close proximity to Casa de las Americas, and to a major commercial area of the city. Breakfast and dinner are prepared for students at the residence and are included in the program fee.
Visa and Travel Information
Contact
Students who are interested in studying abroad in Cuba should contact Brita Doyle, Study Abroad Advisor, for information about AU Abroad program options. She can be reached at brita@american.edu or 202-885-1327.
Read the blog kept by Fall 2011 Professor William Gentile and learn more about what our students did last year in Havana! See: Backpack Journalism Blog
At the link below you can see a photo slideshow of the Fall 2011 semester as well as some student photography work from the students' photojournalism class. See: AU Social Media Cuba YouTube Page
See a trailer for the documentary that Professor Gentile recently made showcasing the student experience in Cuba.
See a trailer for the documentary that Professor Gentile recently made showcasing the student experience in Cuba.
| Dates / Deadlines: |
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| Term | Year | App Deadline | Decision Date | Start Date | End Date |
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| Fall | 2013 |
03/07/2013  **
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Varies by program | TBA | TBA |
** The time it takes to receive an admissions decision varies greatly by program; it can take as little as two weeks or as long as several months. Contact AU Abroad for further details on your program's admissions timeline. |
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