South Africa June Term

An international conjoined course with students participating from Hope, Lebanon and Slovakia, this South Africa study-tour provides a holistic view of transformation and reconciliation processes in relation to recent conflict.

Students will visit and reflect on sites of conflict and peace/resolution to learn the history of South Africa’s apartheid. They will visit villages and participate in local traditions, visit contemporary museums of art to gain understanding of current cultural outlook and expressions, and collect narratives of peace, conflict and justice. Students will also gain intercultural communication experience as they negotiate the relationships within the conjoined group of students from three universities, representing multiple cultural, political, religious, ethnic and historical perspectives.

STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

Erika Ryan

"My favorite communication class has to be the dual class of the South Africa June Term. We studied narratives of peace and justice in the context of post-apartheid South Africa in tandem with other liberal arts students in Lebanon and Slovakia. This class and opportunity opened my eyes to the importance of storytelling as a method of communicating the desire for peace and the path to pursuing justice. Being able to do this while traveling and interacting intellectually with students from around the world widened and deepened my desire to help others communicate effectively through their cultural differences (internationally and locally)."

Jon Tilden

"I was struck by how race and class went hand in hand in South Africa. Upper-class Africans often voiced opinions that were “white.” Race and class must be talked about in tandem sometimes. I believe that economic empowerment must be viewed as a key step in racial advancement in the U.S. However, it cannot be the only step."

Elizabeth Eader

"It helped me to acknowledge the anger that has spilled over in Black communities in the U.S., I have further understood how the system has helped me in society and created privilege."

COURSE CREDIT

Apply four credits for the June term from the following options:

• Senior Seminar
• General elective credit toward graduation
• Communication major 300-level elective
• Peace & Justice Studies minor elective
• Social Science Gen Ed 
• Cultural Heritage II