Sociologists Dr. Sharon Paterson and Dr. Arthur Scarritt will be teaching aboard Fall 2019 in Costa Rica and Spring 2020 in Czech Republic Prague
Study with Boise State Professor and Sociologist: Dr. Sharon Paterson: Costa Rica, Heredia Fall 2019
Women Lead in Latin America Context
Class Description: Women in the 21st Century have increased roles in leadership. In 2017, four countries in Latin America had female presidents and some had female majority legislators. These gains have subsided. In 2018, there are no female presidents in Latin America. This experiential course applies a sociological lens to investigate policies, power structures, and cultural elements impacting women in leadership.
Students will gain an understanding of the intersectionalities of gender and culture in leadership structures and policies, research contemporary issues in gender and leadership in Latin American, and consider the ways in which their own gender and cultural context shape their leadership experiences. Communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills will be enhanced in a supportive learning environment that promotes critical discourse, community building and self-reflection.
Sociology of Work
Class Description: The nature of work is changing all across the globe. Time and location of work, technological competencies, organizational structures, and the relationship between work and family are all changing. But is it? Via readings, class discussions, and investigations, students will explore the ways in which work has changed over the past 100 years, and yet has stayed the same. We will look at work in the context of Costa Rica.
Application Deadline: June 1, 2019
For more information visit usac.edu
Study with Boise State Professor and Sociologist Dr. Arthur Scarritt: Czech Republic Prague Spring 2020
Culture Shock: Applying Sociological Inquiry to Explore Differences
Class Description: Culture Shock: Applying Sociological Inquiry to Explore Difference . Why are things so different here? Deepen your
understanding of the local culture and yourself through engaging with people within a sociological framework.
In this class, students use the tools of sociological inquiry to engage with the local culture and understand its frequently shocking differences from their own. We will work together to develop ways to safely interview members of the public about their beliefs and experiences. We will also be able to articulate how and why they differ from what we consider normal. (Similar to qualitative methods or cultural studies).
Sociology of Work
Class Description: Work not only defines us as what we “do,” it also uniquely integrates us into society: the economy obviously, but also politics and culture. Taking advantage of our location in Prague, we compare our home experiences to those of people in our host country.
We explore the tension between work as toil and work as providing meaning to human lives, and we apply this tension to the shift from an industrial economy to the service-based gig economy and the growth of inequality in gender, race, and class. Students will conduct small original research projects by interviewing a few people in Prague about their work experiences and using these to draw larger insights about the nature of work in society.
Application Deadline: October 15, 2019
For more information visit usac.edu