GLOBAL LEARNING OFFICE

The Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI) is offering a virtual rendition of its programming in lieu of canceled study abroad programs due to COVID-19. This is a unique hybrid opportunity to explore complex questions through coursework while simultaneously engaging in a meaningful internship—all in a completely virtual online setting.

Program highlights:

• Earn two academic credits
• Intern virtually with a community-based nonprofit
• Learn about development in a global context
• Gain experience collaborating with remote and global teams on project-based work, an increasingly important skill in a post-COVID world

Academics

You will earn two Northwestern credits through INTL ST 393-0: Development in a Global Context. This field studies course will use a flipped classroom model to help students build the skills necessary to operate ethically and reflexively in complex transnational work environments. In conjunction with a virtual internship with nonprofits and NGOs around the world, you will engage in real-time reflection and critical analysis of concepts like "participation" and cultural humility in development work. This course invites you to examine deep complexities within global structures, the impact of good intentions, and your role in a rapidly changing world. You should check with your major/minor and academic advisors to see how these credits might count for you. One unit of INTL_ST 393-0 may be applied towards the Weinberg College Distribution Requirements in Social and Behavioral Sciences (Area III).

The course schedule will include one day for synchronous engagement in small group activities and discussion and another day of lecture (can attend synchronously but will also be recorded for asynchronous viewing). Class times and dates are still being finalized for spring quarter.

The course will be co-taught by Dr. Diego Arispe-Bazán, Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Spanish & Portuguese, and Dr. Tim McLellan, Northwestern Buffett Postdoctoral Fellow. If you have questions about the academic structure of the course, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Arispe-Bazán and Dr. McLellan directly.

While the syllabus is finalized, it is subject to minor changes if needed. 

COURSE SYLLABUS

Diego Arispe-Bazán, Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Spanish & Portuguese

Diego researches Global North to Global South migration, internal migration in South America, and historical ideologies of Spanish colonization, from a linguistic and cultural anthropological framework. His work combines textual and ethnographic data and investigates the relationship between (post)colonialism, race, and identity.   
diego.arispe-bazan@northwestern.edu

Tim McLellan, Postdoctoral Fellow, Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs

Tim is a cultural anthropologist. His research investigates how funding organizations shape research practice and examines aspirations to democratize the sciences. He is currently writing a book based on 2 years of ethnographic fieldwork at an agroforestry research institute in southwest China.
tmclellan@northwestern.edu

Internship

You will be matched with a community-based nonprofit or NGO in one of seven countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, Uganda, or Vietnam. As an intern, you will support your organization with various projects, using your academic background and skills to support your organization and the community's needs. 

The unpaid internship will include 15-20 hours per week. Some internships will include teams of 2-5 Northwestern students, while others will entail individual work. Within this time commitment are opportunities for supplemental learning such as cultural context or language classes.

Being accepted to GESI and committing to participate in the program means agreeing to work with a host organization that is expecting you. Please plan your participation seriously, as placements will be considered with students and hosts in mind.

Time & Availability

All internships will require 15-20 hours per week. Each internship will vary in terms of the amount of live (synchronous) work time required (with Northwestern student teammates and/or host organization staff). Eexact meeting times will be scheduled with site teams and host organizations once placements are confirmed.

Additionally, some locations require specific time availability to ensure synchronous meetings across time zone differences. Please ensure you are available during these times if you express preference for internships in these locations:

• Uganda: 7:00-10:00 AM CDT (day of week TBD)
• Vietnam: 8:30-11:30 PM CDT (day of week TBD)

Eligibility & Application

• This class is open to second, third, and fourth year undergraduate students from every major and minor.
• If your GPA is below 2.5, you will be asked follow-up questions within the application.
• NU-Q students are eligible to enroll in GESI only if they are also enrolled in three or four additional NU-Q units. Two NU-E units is equivalent to 1.4 NU-Q units. NU-Q students who are interested in applying should speak with their NU-Q adviser.
• Internship placements in Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala require conversational Spanish ability. No other locations have a language requirement.
• Strong applicants will demonstrate flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Once selected, students will be enrolled in this class through CAESAR.  

*Special note: Evanston based students who complete this course may also apply to GESI in the future. Additionally, Evanston based students who have already completed GESI are also welcome to apply to this course because different course credits are being offered. Repetition of course content and activities and will be minimal across different iterations of the program. 

 

Questions can be directed to gesi@northwestern.edu.