Ghana: Summer Seminar in Ghana

Summer Session I — 2013

This four-week program introduces students to African history, culture and contemporary issues. The country's ancient Ashanti culture, peaceful democratic atmosphere and steady economic growth make Ghana an ideal African country for American students to visit. The program explores trans-Atlantic history and culture, including the Atlantic slave trade, as well as issues surrounding pan-African identity, anti-colonial struggles and globalization. The program begins in the capital city, Accra, where lectures and readings will be complemented by visits to cultural and historic sites such as the DuBois Center, the National Museum and the National Art Center. After an initial introduction to the historical and cultural contexts of Ghana, the participants will travel to Kumasi, the center of the Ashanti cultural region. There participants will take a music and dance workshop and have lectures with Ghanaian and Brooklyn College professors at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on subjects ranging from development economics, contemporary politics, gender studies and religious history. Students will then participate in a four-day service-learning component based in a peri-urban village, which will include hands-on teaching and learning activities. Visits to kente-weaving and craft villages, as well as traditional Ashanti cultural events, will highlight our stay in the Ashanti region. After three weeks in Kumasi, students will travel to Cape Coast and visit the Kakum Canopy walk and coastal slave forts. During the month abroad, students will be accommodated in hostels on or near the university campuses. Individual research projects can be arranged.

This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, all majors. Applicants should have 30 college credits or more.

View Tentative Itinerary (pdf)

Program Dates

May 29 – July 1, 2013

Program Fee

$2,993 (includes international airfare, health/travel insurance, program-related transportation in Ghana, excursions, housing and some meals)

Additional Costs

$600, plus Brooklyn College tuition. Non-tuition out-of-pocket costs include estimated costs for personal expenses, required vaccinations, visa, Internet/phone, laundry, personal local travel and out-of-pocket meals.

Courses and Credits

Participants will register for six credits, selecting from among the courses listed below. Final course offerings will be dependent on course enrollment.

AFST 3290: Special Topics: Literature, Arts, and Culture of Ghana
[View Tentative Syllabus (pdf)]
AFST 4301: Internship in Africana Studies
[View Tentative Syllabus (pdf)]
AFST 4410: Seminar in the Social Sciences
AFST 7050X/HIST 7580X: Social History of Africa, 1750–1945 (Graduate students only)
CORC 3208: Comparative Studies in Cultures and Transformation

Financial Aid / Scholarships

Financial aid does apply, and alternative loans are available. Scholarships that apply to this program are: SASA, Gilman, Furman and STOCS, among others. (See the Scholarship listing on the IEGE website.)

How to Apply

Complete and submit the IEGE Notification of Study Abroad/Brooklyn College Study Abroad Application (pdf) and submit it via e-mail to the International Education and Global Engagement office, or in person at the IEGE office, 1108 Boylan Hall.
Contact the program director to express your interest.