Home > College of Arts and Sciences > Women's and Gender Studies >U. S. - Mexico Border Issues Courses
Issues on the u.s.-mexico border
Women's and Gender Studies Program (WGST) is partnering with VSU's Marriage and Family Therapy program and the University of Texas at El Paso's Women's Studies program to offer a Borderland Experience (BE). The Borderland Experience is an interdisciplinary, experiential community based program for both undergraduate and graduate students. The program takes place on the El Paso, Texas—Ciudad Juárez, Mexico border which is known for its history of social struggle and innovative grassroots organizations. El Paso—Ciudad Juárez is the largest border community in the world with a long standing bilingual and bi-national culture. It is a region where multiple social forces converge—immigration, border crossings, economic development, poverty, globalization, human rights, intimate partner violence and social justice—all come into play.The Borderland Experience will immerse students in the border culture and realities of the diverse people and groups that live and work in the region. The program is intended to raise consciousness about how the social construction of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexual orientation affect persons and issues in this region. In addition, students will learn about the United State’s role and responsibilities in today’s globalized world.
Learn
- How social barriers created by gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, and nationality affect persons in the Borderland area
- How globalization contributes to migration, immigration, poverty, and oppression
- How oppression affects intimate partner violence in the Borderland area
- How diverse communities in the Borderland area are organizing to meet needs and create positive social change to end oppression
A Typical Day May Include:
- Visiting the US Border Patrol
- Listening to stories of migrants and refugees
- Meeting human rights activists
- Staying 3 nights in a refugee shelter
- Daily reflections/debriefings
Course Offerings
Students can take up to 6 credit hours
AFAM/WGST 2020 Race, Class, and Gender
SOCI 4800 Sociologists in the Field: Through the Borderland Experience
SPAN 4980 Community Practicum (Dr. Susan Wehling’s Course)
WGST 4600 Investigating Social Inequality through the Borderland Experience
MFTH 6700 Family Sociology
MFTH 7050 Class, Gender, and Ethnic Issues in Applied Settings
Cost
$1600.00 includes:
Transportation: Vans to and from El Paso, TX; Housing: UTEP Dorms: 2 and 4 bedroom “apartment” dorms (extra long twin bed, kitchen, sofa, desk); Food:$25.00 per day food per diem and weekly trips to grocery store
DOES NOT COVER:
Tuition Fees
Health Insurance Fee (everyone will need to be covered by medical insurance)
Excursion day costs
Passport FeesMay 2010
Leave Valdosta May 13, 2010
Return to Valdosta June 2, 2010
contact Dr. Tracy Wooard-Meyers for more information. You can contact via telephone 293-6307 or tmeyers@valdosta.edu.
Payments
February 5, 2010: $300.00 Non-Refundable deposit
March 5, 2010: $800.00
April 9, 2010: $500.00
The entire $1600.00 fee has to be paid by April 9, 2010—students will not be allowed to travel if entire payment is not received by April 9, 2010.
Possible Excursions
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Historic Old Mesilla New Mexico Mesilla is a small town by today's standards but, 150 years ago it was the major stop for travelers going between San Antonio and San Diego. Mesilla hasn't changed much over the years, allowing visitors to see what an 1800’s border town looked like. Western Legend Billy the Kid once stood trial for murder in a Mesilla courtroom, and the Mesilla Plaza was once a major stop for the Butterfield Stagecoach. Originally, Mesilla was part of Mexico, but with the signing of the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, the village became part of the United States. Today, Mesilla offers a wide range of historical and cultural events. |
Las Cruces, NM is home to many attractions, including numerous art galleries, museums, performing arts venues, theaters, and annual festivals. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of year-round outdoor activities such as hiking, golfing, or tennis, in some of New Mexico's most diverse landscapes. To the east, the majestic spires of the Organ Mountains rise from the floor of the Chihuahuan Desert with rolling hills and spindly plants. To the west, the Rio Grande cuts a wide green path of tall trees and fertile fields through the Mesilla Valley. And overhead is an endless expanse of stunning blue sky where the sun shines almost every day. |
The historic Mission Trail area on El Paso’s far-east side is worthy of a half-day trip for a look at three very old churches, originally built during the 1600-1700s. Some are still used regularly for services, and reconstruction on them, given their age, seems to be eternal. Located in front of each church is a marker, giving the long history of that particular mission. The missions are still owned by the Catholic Church and are usually open during daytime hours, but this is always subject to change. |
Helpful Links:
El Paso Tourism: http://www.elpasocvb.com/
New Mexico Tourism: http://www.newmexico.org/
Public Transportation: http://www.elpasotexas.gov/sunmetro/
Amtrack: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage