THE PROGRAM September 3 to December 12, 2004

Photos From 2000 Trip

The Director of the Program is Randolph Quaye. Assistant Professor of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the College of Wooster, Professor Quaye has many years of experience directing international programs, having recently directed study abroad programs in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

This one-semester study program is recommended especially for students interested in medical systems, the status of women, economic development and social policy. The Wooster in Kenya Program will be affiliated with the Department of Health Sciences and Sociology at the University of Nairobi. All courses will be taught in English (except Swahili). Fifteen full weeks of classroom instruction begin the first week of September and conclude with final exams and papers the first week of December. The major portion of the East African culture course will be conducted during the three weeks students will be out of Nairobi. The tentative schedule of field experiences for the program is:

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

  Week 1: (Nairobi) National Museum of Kenya, Bomas of Kenya (National Dance Troupe).
  Week 2: Nairobi National Park, Nakuru National Park, Lake Nakuru.
  Week 3: Visits to healing centers in Nairobi.
  Week 4: Menangai Crater and Lake Magadi (Nakuru).
  Week 5: Akamba Wood Carvers, local markets.
  Week 6: Masai Mara (Massai village and Game Drive)
  Week 7: Nairobi
  Week 8: Nairobi (Thika farms-tea and coffee plantations)
  Week 9: Visit to Rift Valley (Nakuru area).
  Week 10: Nairobi
  Week 11: Exams and papers on all courses except East Africa Culture.
  Week 12: Tanzania Trip Tour of Neil Mith Centre, Arusha, Moshi. This will include a discussion of Tanzania's socialist experiment along with examination of local Mt. Kilimanjaro economy and society. Ngorongoro Crater. (Early Civilization Site).
  Week 13: Western Kenya: Kaimosi village --10 days of home stay in one of the communities in Lavrijsen's study, Kakamega Forest, Kisumu Museum and local markets, Pan African Paper Mills, Mumias Sugar Company, Kisumu Fishing Industry.
  Week 14: Kampala (Uganda): Visit to royal Baganda capital, Kasuubi tombs, Bamboo Court, National Museum.
  Week 15: Mt. Kenya and Mau Mau caves, nature walk, Mombasa-Malindi (Swahili Coast), visits to the Swahili Island of Lamu, Coral Reef and Fort Jesus home stay.

East Africa is not only the cradle of humankind but also has continued to play an essential role in the history of the world as a cultural crossroads for both political and social experiments. Kenya is a country of striking cultural contrasts. This is the land of 24 million people--Kikuyu, Luo, Maasai, Asians and Europeans all with distinct cultural traditions (Mario Azevedo. Kenya, Carolina Press, 1993). Covering an area of nearly 600,000 sq. km., Kenya's landscape includes the Kenya Highlands, the Rift Valley, Mount Kenya and the Swahili Coast. Such diversity makes it ideal for the study of the causes and effects of economic development, women's changing roles, medical systems and social and cultural development.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Students will be housed at the Swara Safari Lodge/Kenya YMCA.

Home stays: Rural home stays will take place during the three weeks students are out of Nairobi with Luo, Luhyia, and Kissi peoples.

PROGRAM FEES

Participants will be enrolled in The College of Wooster as students and pay fees to The College of Wooster. Students are expected to pay their own round-trip fare to Kenya from the U.S. The deadline for the application is February 13, 2004. Students will be notified no later than February 18, 2004 about the status of their application and will have up until March 1, 2004 to make a deposit of $200.

Courses Each student will take 4 courses. 1. East Africa Culture Students will examine various East African settings by reading both primary and interpretive texts and visit major historical, cultural, and environmental sites. Topics covered would include: migrant labor, class and ethnic structures, human rights and political struggles in relation to externally imposed structural adjustment programs (SAPs). 2. African Medical Systems Students will explore several themes in African medical systems. Topics covered will include the African concept of health and illness, the social context of illness, construction and deconstruction of illness, role of networks in health care utilization, access to health care, cost control and role of non- governmental organizations in the delivery of health care services. 3. Women, Development and the Environment Several decades of feminist research has focused on women as social actors who utilize the options available for their social and economic development (Potash, 1992). This course is designed to explore gender relations in Africa with special reference to Kenyan women. Topics covered will include: historical role of women in independent movements in Africa, their role in the formal and informal sectors, population control politics and family planning and recent economic reforms on the welfare of mothers and children. 4. Introductory Kiswahili This course will help students to develop basic Kiswahili language skills. 5. Internship (IDPT 407-408) In addition, students will be linked with a professional social services or research institution, depending on the interests of students. These organizations will include: Undugu society (Street Children), Federation of Kenya Lawyers, and Environmental Liaison Center among many others.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Randolph Quaye
Wooster in Kenya
The College of Wooster
Wooster, OH 44691
E-mail: rquaye@wooster.edu
Phone (330-263-2292)
Fax (330-263-2614)

or:

Rose Falkner
Director of International and Off-Campus Study
International Program Office, Overholt House
The College of Wooster
Wooster, OH 44691
Tel: 330-263-2406
Fax: 330-263-2549
Email: rfalkner@wooster.edu