PROGRAM DATES:

This program will take place from mid-May to mid-June 2018 and will last for five weeks.


COURSE INFORMATION:

Students will enroll in PSYC/POLI: Emerging from Violence - The Politics and Psychology of Conflict and Trauma (3 credits) and one of the following two courses:

PSYC/ENVT: Psychology of Social Change - 3 credits
POLI 379: The Politics of International Intervention - 3 credits


PROGRAM INFORMATION:

This is an amazing, action-packed program! Students take two courses (for PSYC, POLI, or ENVT credit) examining the psychological, political, and environmental after-effects of periods of violence, turmoil, and conflict. They will witness first-hand the socio-cultural and environmental footprints left behind by violence and sustained poverty in developing countries. They will explore the pros and cons of international intervention and humanitarian aid, meeting and volunteering with organizations working to improve social, political, and environmental conditions (for both humans and other living species - including elephants!) on the ground.

We will travel through Cambodia first - the key locations being Sen Monorom (Elephant Valley Project), Phnom Penh, Kep, and Siem Reap. We then will travel to Vietnam, visiting Hanoi and the mountain villages of SaPa. Students will be graded on their trip and class participation as well as their final research paper - which involves a research project that they design and carry out themselves while traveling abroad.

Students should be aware that will be is some strenuous physical labor associated with volunteering efforts, as well as some hiking in SaPa.

Please note: this is the first of two separate programs to Cambodia and Vietnam in Summer 2018. The second program will occur mid-July to mid-August.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

-Students must have an overall GPA of 2.5
-Students must already possess a valid passport, or be able to obtain a valid passport

PROGRAM DIRECTORS:

Dr. Jen Cole Wright
Department of Psychology
wrightjj1@cofc.edu
843-953-8196

Dr. Wright is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. She has directed a Southeast Asia study abroad program for the last six years. On campus she teaches several related courses: Psychology of Social Change, Psychology of Violence, Psychology of War, Lifespan Development, Advanced Topics in Child and Adolescent Development.

Dr. Chris Day
Department of Political Science
dayc@cofc.edu
843-953-6617

Dr. Day is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science. His teaching and research interests are in comparative politics with an emphasis on Africa, political violence, and civil wars. A former disaster relief worker with Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), he is also interested in humanitarian affairs.

Note: For questions regarding on-site program details and course content, please contact Dr. Wright. Any inquiries regarding application processing, billing, or scholarship opportunities can be directed to the Center for International Education (contact information listed above).