Mexico and the United States -application due date extended to 11/23/09
Mexico and the United States - Spring 2010
Study in Mexico over Spring Break
For information, please contact Ginny Pellam-Montalbano at 443-9417 or gapellam@syr.edu
Applications are available online. New students should apply online under the "To Apply" section of our website. For program please select “SU world partners” and state that you are interested in the Mexico program in the essay section along with answering the essay questions. Students who have participated on an SU Abroad program may complete a returning SU Abroad applicant application.
Course
PSC 300: Mexico and the United States (3+1 credits)
This course will focus on the history and politics of Mexico, with special attention to relations between Mexico and the United States. For the first three weeks we will study the long history of the U.S.-Mexican relations, including comparative colonial histories, the War (1846-48) and other conflicts, and the westward expansion of the U.S. during the 19th century. However, the bulk of the course will focus on the historical roots and contemporary dynamics of various themes that are critical for understanding Mexico today, again with special attention to U.S. – Mexican relations. Topics of study will include economic ties (e.g. NAFTA and bilateral trade, the maquila industry, and U.S. exports to Mexico); the roots of migration and the effects of migration in both countries; democratization and inter-governmental relations; the drug trade; and the politics of ethnic identity in southern Mexico. Throughout the course we will learn about how each of these issues is related to Mexican development and democracy, and to the prospects for improved relations between the two countries. We will also make significant use of other Latin American countries as points of comparison.
During spring break we will visit the southern state of Oaxaca to gain a first-hand perspective on what we have learned in the classroom. We will meet with human rights activists, indigenous organizations, and local civic groups that are struggling with the problems of out-migration, poverty and development, and participatory democracy.
On-campus class size is limited to 40 students. The spring break trip is optional, and will be limited to 15 students. You are required to take the on-campus course to qualify for the spring break trip. Any matriculated undergraduate student is eligible for the course.
Faculty
Matthew Cleary, assistant professor of political science in the Maxwell School. Professor Cleary has written extensively on Mexican politics and has been conducting research in Oaxaca since 2006.
Costs
Tuition for the course is covered as part of regular spring semester tuition as long as you do not exceed 19 total credits. The cost for the spring break portion of the course is approximately $2320, and includes round trip transportation from Syracuse to Mexico, housing, three meals daily while in Mexico, local transportation, and entrance fees. It also includes all activities and services for which a separate fee is not charged. The final fee will be set once airfare and other expenses have been confirmed.
Application, Selection, & Payment Procedures
Students will be expected to submit the special application and a $60 non-refundable application fee to SU Abroad by October 12, 2009. All applications will be reviewed by an admissions committee made up of Professor Cleary and a SU Abroad representative. Students will be notified of their acceptance by October 26. Upon acceptance, a $450 non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your participation in the program. This is due within 10 days. Final payment will be due December 11, 2009.