Sociology Study Abroad
Where: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, housed in the Center for Biodiversity and Sustainability; field trips around the country
When: Spring 2007 and Spring 2008
More what, plus some who:
- students spend one semester in the Dominican Republic, taking 18 hours; each faculty member typically comes for 2 weeks, during which the focus is primarily on that faculty member’s course
- Sociology’s course is “Working in the Global Economy,” which was taught by Dr. Dale Wimberley in Spring 2007; he will again teach the course as part of the Caribbean program in Spring 2008
- Students in this course focus on workers and their labor in the tourism, export manufacturing, and export agriculture sectors, with an emphasis on these sectors in the Dominican Republic and on the ways that race, class, and gender may shape who does what work under what conditions and why.
- In 2007, students took a field trip to Santo Domingo, touring a factory that makes medical supplies, and meeting with labor union members who work in a free-trade-zone garment factory
- Students may also opt to participate in a service-learning program (in 2007 this program involved teaching English to children in nearby Dominican schools)
Photo 1: Students tour a factory that makes medical supplies used in the U.S. and other countries
Photo 2: Students talk with Ygnacio Hernandez, Secretary General of the FENATRAZONAS federation of free trade zone labor unions [this photo would be much improved by proper cropping]
Photo 3: Students talk with labor union members who work in a garment factory in a free trade zone
Photo 4: Most members of the class, with Dr. Wimberley, in front of the Center for Biodiversity and Sustainability (the building which includes our dormitory and classroom space)
