Waterfall in Jamaica

Jamaica (March 2-9, 2024)

Summary

Fields of Study: Sociology and Political Science

Courses:

- - INR2002 Introduction to International Relations (Forshee)
  - POS 1920 Individual Study (Forshee)
  - SYG2000 Introduction to Sociology (Bianchi)
  - SYG2905 Individual Study (Bianchi)

You can explore how study abroad courses are related to your general education curriculum by reviewing these forms.

Fall 2022 General Education Handout with SA 2023.pdf

Fall 2021 General Education Handout with SA 2023.pdf

Faculty Leaders: Dr. Jennifer Forshee and Dr. Georgia Bianchi

Cities to be visited: Kingston and Yallahs

Cost: $2,700*

This program is capped at 15 students.

*Prices subject to change!

Instructional Intent

This study abroad program to Jamaica provides students with an opportunity to explore the impact that the United States and other international organizations have on countries in the developing world. It also gives students a unique insight into how society in an English-speaking country near the U.S. can vary so much from the American way of life. American students are often insulated from the power and influence that the U.S. and international organizations wield at an international level. Students are often not familiar with the World Bank, USAID, the EU, and IMF. Through a visit to several sites in Jamaica, students will be able to see the direct impact of such organizations on social and political life.

Course Descriptions

INR2002 introduces students to the study of basic principles of politics among nations, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Students will be exposed to the principle controversies surrounding decolonization, neo-colonization, and development regimes prior to departure. Students will meet with political and academic leaders to discuss origins, consequences, and solutions to underdevelopment. They will have opportunities to consider the issue of development from the perspectives of governments, grass-roots non-governmental organizations, and foreign-based international governmental organizations.

POS1920 is intended for students who have completed INR2002 or CPO2001 (comparative politics). This is a one-hour individualized study course which allows students to research a specific Jamaican case study under the guidance of Dr. Forshee.

SYG2000 is an introductory sociology course. Students will learn to analyze historical and contemporary events in terms of their implications and impacts on individuals, groups, organizations, and societies. In addition, students will learn about and implement the techniques that sociologists use to research various aspects of social life. This course will help demonstrate the skills necessary for analysis, synthesis, evaluation, decision-making, critical and creative thinking, and the creative process.

SYG2905 is intended for students who have completed SYG2000. It is a one-hour individualized study course which allows students to research a specific sociological topic under the guidance of Dr. Bianchi.

Required Abilities

Study abroad participants will explore Jamaica through walking tours. Many streets are uneven, have changes in elevation, and are inaccessible to students with limited mobility. Most locations have stairs and do not have wheelchair access.
Participants will need to be able to tolerate high heat and humidity without air conditioning.
The Center for Disease Control recommends that all travelers to Jamaica receive vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and COVID-19 before departure. Please note that Belize has reported past or current cases of Zika virus.
Participants must be ready to share personal space, bedrooms, bathrooms, and to follow the dynamics of a large group of people.
Interpersonal abilities must be sufficient to interact with students in a large group setting. Participants must be comfortable with interacting with others that come from a variety of social, emotional, and intellectual backgrounds.
All participants must be able to comprehend and follow directions.

Faculty Leaders

Dr. Georgia Bianchi has served as an assistant professor of sociology at Santa Fe College for the past decade. She earned a Ph.D. in Sociology and conducts research on immigration, children of immigrants, and citizenship. Dr. Bianchi led yearly study abroad trips to Jamaica from 2013-2017 as part of another educational institution. She successfully co-led a Santa Fe study abroad program to Jamaica in 2018 and 2020. Email georgia.bianchi@sfcollege.edu

Dr. Jennifer Forshee has served as an assistant professor of political science at Santa Fe College for the past 12 years. She has an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Florida. Her dissertation concerns evolving notions of cosmopolitanism within the framework of development studies. Her teaching at Santa Fe College includes Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and the United Nations. Dr. Forshee is also the faculty advisor for Santa Fe College’s Model United Nations team and travels multiple times a year with ten to eighteen students for conferences and competitions. She co-led study abroad programs to China in 2015 and 2017, to Italy in 2019, and to Jamaica in 2018 and 2020. Email jennifer.forshee@sfcollege.edu.

Suggested Payment Plan

We have created a monthly payment schedule to help students keep their payments small and manageable over time. However, students may choose to pay the full cost of this program in one or two payments instead. Students interested in participating in this program will be expected to make the following payments totaling $2,700:

As soon as possible: $250 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot

October 16, 2023: First payment of $425

November 15, 2023: Second payment of $675

December 15, 2023: Third Payment of $675

January 15, 2024: Final payment of $675

Payments should be made to the Santa Fe College Cashier's Office. You can visit them in person on the first floor of F building or call them to make a payment by phone 352-395-5227. Be sure to tell them your Santa Fe College identification number and ask that funds be deposited in the Jamaica Study Abroad account.