CUBA HOY History, Culture, and Education

Catalog description

This course provides students with a first-hand look at Cuban society with a focus on its history, culture and educational system, lifting a veil on a country that most citizens in the United States know very little about. The course will provide students with cultural immersion and study abroad as well as a better understanding of our neighbor only 90 miles off the coast of Florida. The course is designed for all students wishing to gain a better understanding of historical, social, cultural and educational processes in the country that consistently ranks number one in educational and health outcomes in all of Latin America and acquire global experiences that will enrich their personal, academic, and professional lives. The first component of the course consists of visits to cultural and educational institutions. The second component consists of lectures, seminars and discussions with experts in the field who will orient our students to the current Cuban context and answer all of their questions. Through this course, Pace students will study and identify the historical and contemporary forces which influence Cuba and shape its policy-making decisions. They will also learn about the social and cultural heritage of Cuba and participate in cultural activities and visits to cultural and historical sites. The course will contain pre-travel preparatory seminars as well as a post-travel reflection seminar to reflect on the in-country experience in Cuba.