Brazil: Emerging Rights - Documenting the Struggle for Social and Environmental Justice

Special Note:

Thurs, April 12, 2012 - This program is no longer considered an early fall program and has been designated a B-Term Summer Quarter program for the purposes of financial aid. (*Items marked with an asterisk throughout the text below indicate a change to the program as a result of this adjustment.)

The Emerging Rights: Documenting the Struggle for Social and Environmental Justice in Brazil program offers a unique opportunity to study in Brazil and receive 15 credits of UW coursework in a five week period. Participants study Portuguese, engage in experiential learning projects, and receive an in-depth, critical understanding of contemporary Brazil.

Correcting one’s earlier perception isn’t always easy. - Paulo Freire

Academic content

The Brazil program is composed of three courses: one seminar, one language course and one applied media project. This program is especially well fitted to the needs of Latin American Studies, Human Rights, International/Global Studies and Communications majors/minors but also meets the requirements for several other majors at UW.

In addition to the coursework, students will participate in numerous excursions. Proposed site visits include various locations in and around Sao Paulo and Campo Grande including street children’s projects, favela projects, quilombos, indigenous communities, forest and wetland reserves, and cultural centers. Students will be able to experience both urban and rural contexts in Brazil.

• TPOL S 435 Popular Movements in Latin America (Tacoma); or SISLA 355 Social Change in Latin America (Seattle); or BIS 480 Study Abroad (Bothell) [5 credits]

Historically Latin America has been the stage for various, unique forms of organized resistance against colonialism, slavery, military authoritarianism, racism and economic oppression and environmental degradation. This course will focus on the particular context of Brazil, by examining the genealogy of social movements, understanding their interface with environmental issues, engaging in seminars with Brazilian scholars and observing the current work of various urban and rural movements. In particular we will discuss the relationship between rights and environmental justice as it shapes social, political and economic formations. This will provide a window on the particular Latin American approach to human rights and social movements and environmental preservation.

• TIAS 499 Undergraduate Research - Digital Media Methods for Research in Human Rights and the Environment (Tacoma); or SISLA 490 Special Topics (Seattle); or BISMCS 471 Advanced Topics in Media and Communication Studies (Bothell) [5 credits]

This course provides an overview of the implications of using digital media methods for documenting and presenting human rights-related research across borders. The course contains both theoretical and practicable application toward investigating human rights and environmental issues in Brazil, while producing a piece of media that reflects that investigative work. Through the use of photography, video, blogs, and audio stories, this class will engage in questions of agency and subjectivity as relevant to questions of building subject and audience relationships, active research, production and consumption of knowledge, and the representation of culture, self, and others. Here's a video overview of the study abroad course from a previous year with a list linking to examples of student projects:

• “Illustration of Access” by Lucas Anderson, Ryan McNamee, and Sydney Simon
• “Aldeia: Cinta Vermelha de Jundiba” by Angelina Gradskaya
• “Getting Around Brazil – Access as a Human Right” by Selma Collins
• “Learning Under a Mango Tree” by Nicolette Lock, Amanda Pugh, and Jasmyne Walton

• Portuguese Language (PORT 199 or 299) [5 Credits]

Students will learn Portuguese at the Universidade Metodista de São Paulo, one of the premiere universities for teaching Portuguese as a foreign language. The course will be adapted to the needs of the students.

Finally, weekly pre-departure seminars will be required in the summer quarter. This series of seminars will provide basic background information on Brazil, orient students to Brazil and the expectations of the program, and allow the participants to become better acquainted with one another. This program is organized, directed and taught by Margaret Griesse of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (Tacoma) and Angelica Macklin of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (Bothell).

Program schedule

The program runs from July 29 through September 1. Students will begin in Sao Bernardo do Campo, close to the cosmopolitan city of Sao Paulo, where they will have intensive Portuguese classes for three weeks while living with host families. They will also learn of urban social and environmental movements, with the opportunity of visiting the Atlantic rainforest. Then, they will travel to Campo Grande in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul located in central Brazil. Students will have contact with indigenous, social and environmental movements in this area and have the opportunity to experience the fauna and flora of the fantastic wetlands of the Brazilian Pantanal.

Student eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students from any UW campus may apply. Participants are selected on the basis of high scholarship, academic preparation, motivation, emotional maturity, and financial responsibility.

Application

Complete application packets received by April 2nd will be given priority consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted thereafter and applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions as admitted.

Travel documents & insurance

A visa is required of all US citizens entering Brazil. Once you have been accepted to the study abroad program the program leaders will walk you through this process. Students should allow at least 4 weeks for the visa application. If you are using a passport from another country, you might be exempt from visa requirements. Visit this site for a listing of exemptions. Once again, the program leaders will provide you with assistance once you are accepted into the program.

Study abroad insurance coverage is required. We recommend UW students take advantage of the UW Study Abroad Insurance, as an easy and affordable option. Students with personal insurance may petition for a UW Study Abroad Insurance waiver. For details, please contact the UWT International Programs office.

Costs

The total cost of the program is $4,240.

Program fee includes:

• Academic course fee (15 credits)
• Portuguese language textbook
• Housing
• Transportation for required field trips
• Guest speakers
• Welcoming and departure receptions
• Breakfast and most evening meals

It does not include:

• Round trip airfare to/from Brazil
• Costs of travel documents (passport, visas)
• Lunch and other meals (except as listed above)
• Travel Insurance
• Other course materials
• Items of personal nature such as phone calls, laundry service, and souvenirs

Payment schedule

(*Items in this section marked with an asterisk have been changed to reflect the new summer quarter B-Term designation and deadlines.)

Method of payment: Payments made in person or by mail will need to be paid by personal check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to University of Washington Tacoma (UWT). Please write "Brazil 2012" in the memo line of the check. The administrative fee of $250 must accompany your application for the program. To make the second payment of $750, please stop by our office in GWP 312, or mail your payment to:

UWT International Programs, Campus Box 358430
University of Washington, Tacoma
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

For other methods of payment, please contact Tracey Norris, Study Abroad Coordinator, International Programs Office (253) 692-4426.

The last payment of $3,240 will be charged automatically to your UWT student account upon registration and can be paid online through your MyUW account. Please note: students do not register themselves for this program. The Office of International Programs will register the student once the 2nd payment and all appropriate program documents have been received.

Financial aid

Students receiving financial aid funds which they intend to apply toward the program cost should consult with a financial aid adviser as soon as possible. Please bring the student financial aid budget form with you to your meeting.

Be aware that you may not receive financial aid in time to cover initial payments. You should be prepared to pay fees out of pocket until your financial aid is dispersed. Deadlines for payments cannot be waived or postponed.

Refund conditions for fees

1. If you are *not* accepted to the program, the first payment of $250 will be returned to you.
2. If you withdraw prior to May 7, 2012, all payments, less the $250 non-refundable administrative fee, will be refunded to you.
3. If you withdraw on or after May 7th but prior to July 29, 2012, you are obligated to pay 50% of the total cost of the program.
4. If you withdraw on or after July 29, 2012, you are obligated to pay the full cost of the program. No refunds will be given for unused accommodations, meals or other fees and services.

Notice of Withdrawal from the program MUST be made in writing to:

UWT International Programs, Campus Box 358430
University of Washington, Tacoma
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

Changes in costs or scope of the program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary.

If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Program cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by May 7, 2012, the program will be cancelled and all recoverable monies paid will be refunded.

Equal opportunity and disability accommodations

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Support Services Office at least ten days in advance.