CCNY/Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana (Iztapalapa)
Program in development & Social Change in Mexico City
Since its founding as the island city-state of Tenochtitán by the Mexica (or Aztecs) in 1325, Mexico City has been the center of social, economic, cultural and political life in Mexico. Today, as one of the world’s great metropolises, Mexico City and the surrounding Valley of Mexico display a unique blend of pre-Columbian traditions, colonial history, the legacy of 19th century nation-building and early 20th century revolution and social transformations, and the contemporary impacts of globalization.
Development and Social Change in Mexico City (4 credits) offers an interdisciplinary perspective on contemporary processes of social, economic, and political change in Mexico, though both experiential and formal classroom activities. Participants will gain a first-hand appreciation of the problems associated with post-modern urban development, using Mexico City as a living laboratory. The program will also challenge students to consider, from a critical perspective, potential solutions to development issues and social problems confronting Mexico City.
Objectives
The primary objective of Development and Social Change in Mexico City is to provide a diverse group of students from a variety of academic disciplines with the opportunity to learn about contemporary processes of social, economic, and political change in Mexico, though both experiential and formal classroom activities. As part of the program, students will gain a first-hand appreciation of the problems associated with urban development in Mexico and Latin America, using Mexico City as a living laboratory. Students will also be challenged to consider, from a critical perspective, potential solutions for social problems associated with urban development.
Field experiences
Four field experiences are scheduled during the Development and Social Change in Mexico City Program (see itinerary below). Excursions in and around Mexico City will include: 1) the environment, natural disasters and urban development (focusing on volcanic and seismic risks in Central Mexico); 2) landscapes and heritage in pre-Columbian Mexico (Teotihuacán and other archaeological sites); 3) living on the edge (housing and livelihoods in peripheral areas of Mexico City); and 4) Biosphere reserves and World Heritage sites (the UN and contested notions of urban development in Mexico City).
Costs
CCNY Tuition for 4 credits: $920
Program cost: $1450
Not included: Airfare to/from Mexico City (approx. $650) or local transportation
