New York Times Article

Here's a link to a New York Times article about South African politics. The article is pretty interesting and shows a different perspective on the leaders of the ANC and the South Africa Communist Party. I am curious as to what Mandela's thoughts are on the current leaders of the ANC. But as Jan mentioned yesterday in class, we shouldn't be too quick to make assumptions about South Africa politics and we should really take advantage of the opportunities we will have to interact with South Africans.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/world/africa/19selebi.html?_r=1&ref=africa

Week #1

For the first class, we introduced ourselves and discussed brief travel information. Jan lectured about South Africa's history and the many different languages of South Africa. The documentary Amandla! was really great! I thought it was very interesting to see how much music can impact a culture and an entire country. This summer, I worked with 3 young children. One of the little girls (a 5 year old) asked me "What happens when people stop making music?" I told her that that would never happen because everyone expresses themselves in different ways and that music is very important to several people. I wasn't sure if this was the right answer, but after viewing the documentary, I am happy with the answer I gave her and I hope it sticks with her. It is so amazing to see how something as simple as music can unite large groups of people and can serve as an aide in the process of change.


The documentary also made me more excited for our future adventures!! We are really fortunate to be able to experience something like our planned trip and I hope that we all take very valuable life lessons away from it! I can't wait to hear more South African music and to experience the music in Cape Town.

For week #2, we can look forward to a lecture from Ken Salo.

Assignments due on 10/19:

• Abstract #2
  
• Continue/Finish The House on Tyne Street

We will start our course journals this week and we should begin to construct our time line of South African historical and political events.

Jan's Course Description

This course requires 2 components.

• An 8 week course of study in preparation for the trip, and participation in activities presented while in Cape Town.
  

• In the eight week course leading up to the trip to Cape Town, students will learn about the history, economy, and political events leading up to the demise of the apartheid system, including the role of African youth in the struggle.

• Participation in the study abroad experience: Through a week of intensive study, discussion, field trips, and experience with local cultural events, students will learn about the variety of cultures, family issues, and living conditions in the Cape Town area, including life in its overcrowded and poverty-stricken townships.
  

• The final two weeks of the trip will be spent volunteering in Cape Town and surrounding townships, working with community organizations that provide education and support for women and care for children orphaned by the AIDS crisis in South Africa.
  

• Throughout the trip, group discussion will continue, focusing on the dynamics of integration, education, and globalization in the Cape Town area after apartheid, as well as comparison of the implementation of human development and child development theory and practice in place in South Africa and the United States today.

• Assignments for Week #1:
  
  • Long Walk to Freedom Abstract is due 10/13!
  • Begin to read House on Tyne Street for next week's discussion
    

Cape Town

Mandela's Cell

St. Anne's Home