Ethics and Development
Program Dates: early June - July
Location: Mali, various destinations
Program fees, dates, and arrangements are subject to change, due to unforeseen considerations.
What's this program about?
Mali has a rich history of art, culture, and music known and admired throughout the world. It also faces some of the most daunting challenges of the 21st century as Malians work to reduce hunger, improve education, and continue on the democratic path they began in 1991.
Before departure, we will meet in class at MSU for a week of intensive study of art, education, and culture in Mali today.
Then, in Mali, we will begin by meeting with artists and educators who are engaged in the struggle to move Mali forward. From the great Mosque in Jenne to the breathtaking cliffs of Dogon country, from the monuments of Bamako, its impressive National Museum, and the studios of professional photographers, painters, and sculptors to the Groupe Bogolan Kasobané atelier in Ségu and the pottery village of Kalabugu, these places and people will remain vividly fixed in your memory for years to come.
Then, we will spend three weeks in residence at the Institute for Popular Education (IEP) and its affiliated Ciwara community school in Kati, just 25 kilometers outside Bamako. Students will team up with Malian teachers and interns to develop needed programs in English for their K-9 curriculum and develop a new language laboratory for Malian teachers and students. Civic engagement and cultural immersion are integral parts of this study abroad program.
What can students study?
The learning objectives for the program are to enable students to understand and critically evaluate:
Students will be required to enroll a minimum of six (6) credits from the following courses. All students are required to take at least two (2) credits of one of the RCAH 292 courses.
| RCAH 292A | Pro-Seminar on Civic Engagement | 2 cr. |
| RCAH 292B | Engagement and Reflection | 2-4 crs. |
| RCAH 320 | Topics in Arts and Public Life | 4 cr. |
| RCAH 391 | Independent Study | 2 cr. |
| RCAH 291 | Creative Workshop: Photography | 2 cr. |
| HA 490-005 | Independent Study | 2 cr. |
| HA 471 | Special Topics in African Art: Mali | 4 cr. |
| Pending approval: | ||
| MUS 291 | Selected Topics in Music: Mali | 2-3 crs. |
| ISS 330A | Africa: Social Science Perspectives | 4 cr. |
Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.
Students who are not RCAH majors can receive an override in order to take required (and optional) RCAH courses in this program.
What are the requirements?
Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.
Elementary speaking knowledge of French is strongly recommended.
Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.
Where will students live?
Students will reside initially at the University of Bamako’s Centre Regional d'Energie Solaire (CRES) in Bamako for two to three days. Then, we will be on the road for approximately four to six days visiting Ségu, Mopti, Jenne, and Dogon Country. After that students, will be in a family compound connected to the Ciwara School and IEP in Kati. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in Kati as part of the regular program fee as will meals during the four to six day excursion. Students are responsible for their own meals during the short stay at CRES.
Who can tell me more about this program?
Candace M. Keller, PhD kellercm@msu.eduMore information:https://osa.isp.msu.edu/Programs/program/index/105030
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