Latin American and Caribbean Society
LAT 475 – 3 credits, 3 hours
Location: Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
Course meetings at BMCC: June 15 – 29; July 18 – 24, 2023 (Mon-Th)
Travel: June 30 – July 17, 2023
See tentative schedule in Brazil
Program Description: Taught in English, BMCC Study Abroad Brazil gives students the opportunity to explore the history and culture of Brazil by focusing on the intersections of race, class and gender. Topics of discussion include the colonial history of Brazil, race and identity, religion and spirituality, expressive culture, and social movements. The Afro-Brazilian experience will be compared to that of other Afro-descendants in the African Diaspora including the United States.
The program is based in Salvador da Bahia in northeastern Brazil. Brazil has been studied as one of the paradigms for understanding race relations in modern societies and popularly known for its mythical “racial democracy”. It is the country that has more people of African descent than any nation outside of Africa due to it receiving more enslaved Africans than any other nation in the Americas. Brazil was notably the last nation in the Americas to abolish slavery. Salvador was the first capital of Brazil and is the epicenter of Afro-Brazilian culture due to the strong retention of African cultural practices. The city is one of the strongest representations of Africa in the Americas. Students will also spend a few days in Cachoeira where they will engage with a local University that is very active in promoting gender and racial equality.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Completed at least 12 college credits with min. 2.75 GPA
- Completed ENG 88, ESL 062, ACR 094 or higher-level course; no language requirement
- Submit complete application by February 14, 2023 (see application instructions)
- CUNY requires all study abroad participants be fully vaccinated for COVID-19
Housing & Meals: Students will share rooms in hotels; breakfast will be included in hotels and lunch and dinners will be organized at restaurants
Program Fee: $1,520 (includes flight, housing, meals, excursions onsite, local transportation and international health insurance; includes BMCC Association Scholarship (see below); those who do not receive BMCC Association Scholarship will pay $3,780)
Tuition and Fees: 3 credits (financial aid may be applied)
Additional Costs: Passport, visa (if needed), tips, out-of-pocket meals, etc. Optional side trips to local tourist attractions may also incur additional costs.
Scholarships:
- BMCC Association Scholarship automatically given to BMCC students who have completed at least 12 credits at BMCC
- Fund for Education Abroad: open to U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents
- Gilman Scholarship: open to U.S. citizens who are Pell Grant recipients
For more information, please contact:
Professor Judith Anderson
Department of Ethnic and Race Studies
Email: juanderson@bmcc.cuny.edu
Please note that all information listed above is subject to change at any time.
