Study Abroad: Accreditation

Mexico Solidarity Network Study Abroad Program
Accreditation and Evaluation

Accreditation
The Mexico Solidarity Network Study Abroad Program is accredited through a consortium agreement with the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), one of Mexico's most prestigious public universities. Upon successful comletion of the course, the UAM issues a diploma and the Mexico Solidarity Network issues student transcripts with number grades (0 to 4 point system). In the US, Hampshire College is our school of record and issues transcripts for US students. The program is also accredited by the State University of New York (SUNY) system, the University of Texas-Austin, New Mexico State University, Appalachian State University and more than 70 other institutions.

The program is a 14-week inter-disciplinary course offering 16 credits at the undergraduate and masters level. While the course is interdisciplinary, MSN offers the following course breakdown for accreditation at institutions that do not work under interdisciplinary regimes (Mexican Social Movements syllabus & Spanish syllabus):

- Political economy - Econ 351/551 (3 credits, 45 class hours): Students develop an understanding of the political and economic context within which social movements develop. Course work focuses on the basic models of political economy, including Marxism, neo-Marxism, nationalism and neoliberal capitalism.

- Modern Mexico Pol sci 352/552 (3 credits, 45 class hours): Covers the most important current topics in Mexican politics, including energy reform, human rights, indigenous rights, political parties, current economic debates, the rural crisis, NAFTA, and whatever else is on the national political agenda at the time of the program. The course also covers the history of Mexico and an overview of Mexican political culture. Classes make extensive use of newspapers, including La Jornada, La Reforma and El Universal. - Mexican social movements

- Soc 353/553 (3 credits, 45 class hours): Students develop an understanding of the theory and practice of social movements, with particular emphasis on the Mexico and US contexts. Course work focuses on the social movement theory, including the role of grievances, Gramsci, Lenin, resource mobilization theory, political process theory, and new social movement theory. Course work also focuses on the practical integration of theory and practice, with students analyzing current social movements using the various theoretical models.

- Intensive Spanish language - Span 203/204, 303/304, 403/404, 503/504 (4 credits, 60 hours or 7 credits, 105 hours): Spanish language courses focus on developing communication skills, with particular emphasis on verbal and reading skills. Class work includes grammatical work combined with directed discussions, weekly written assignments, formal reports on weekly research topics, and analysis of newspapers.

Native Spanish speakers who would not benefit from Spanish language classes may substitute Intensive Tzotzil language and/or Independent Study for Intensive Spanish language. The independent study alternative must be approved in advance by the student's home institution and by at least one professor on the MSN study abroad program:

- Intensive Tzotzil language (4 credits, 60 class hours): Introduction to Tzotzil, the native language in the highlands of Chiapas. Classes are taught be native Tzotzil speakers trained in popular education pedagogy.

- Independent study (1 to 7 credits, 15 to 105 class hours): Content of independent study will be decided jointly by student and professors.

Program evaluation:
Students are expected to prepare for and attend all classes, workshops and field visits. Unexcused absences will seriously affect final grades.Interdisciplinary coursework:
- 20% - class participation.
- 20% - one to three page reflections on assigned reading. Reflections include a discussion with the authors and suggested questions for group discussion.
- 20% - one, 7 to 10 page mid-term paper applying the theory of social movements to a movement with which the student is familiar. Papers are due the ninth week of the program.
- 20% - two, 5 to 10 minute speeches and two debates on subjects related to academic work.
- 20% - a 10 to 20 page final paper on a topic to be discussed with professors.

Language courses:
- 50% - Final verbal competence assessment, using estimated ACTFL oral proficiency.
- 25% - Class participation.
- 25% - Weekly written assignments

Independent study
- Final 15 to 40 page paper on a subject to be discussed with professors.