Eligibility
You must have a 2.5 grade point average and be of sophomore status to participate in the development studies program in Honduras. Preference will be given to juniors and seniors for the program.
Cost
The cost of the spring 2010 semester in Honduras is $16,155. It includes:
- Tuition
- Room
- Food allowance
- Administration
- Field trips
- Round trip airfare from Grand Rapids
Additional expenses not included in the program fee: passport, books, medical insurance (required), personal travel expenses and spending money. Make sure that your passport is up-to-date and will not expire any time in the next year. Note that Honduras is an inexpensive country for visitors with dollars, so an extra $100 to $150 per month should provide plenty of spending money.
Accommodations
You will live with a Honduran family during your time in Tegucigalpa. Fluency in Spanish is not required for this experience.
Courses
By studying in Honduras you will fulfill your cross cultural engagement core requirement.
You will take the following courses in succession:
| Course 1 - STHO 210: Exploring a Third World Society | |
| This course offers Honduras' unique history, economics and politics as a window on the third world. Frequent seminars will provide an opportunity to interact with leading Honduran politicians, economists, historians, and sociologists. | 3 semester hours, global and historical studies core, CCE core |
| Course 2 - STHO 211: The Problem of Poverty | |
| This course analyzes development theories and major issues such as population and environment that come into play when attempting to develop impoverished areas. The class will also include frank discussions about how Christian values can shape development theory. | This course with STHO 212 (below) gives 3 semester hours for the societal structures core in sociology and 3 semester hours for an elective credit in economics. |
| Course 3 - STHO 212: Development Theory in Practice | |
| This course provides an in-depth analysis of third world development. Guest speakers from leading Christian and non-Christian organizations present honest appraisals of their work and students spend a week sharing life with real Hondurans and studying the impact development organizations have had in the community. | See above |
Course 4 is a Spanish class you choose and taught by Honduran teachers:
| Course 4 - SPAN xxx: Spanish Language Study | |
| Each student will take at least one Spanish class (beginning, intermediate, or advanced Latin America literature or culture). The classes are taught by highly skilled Honduran teachers using Calvin College's Spanish curriculum. | Language or literature core |
Apply
Submit a preliminary application to the the off-campus programs office. Once your eligibility for the program is determined (within 1–2 weeks), you will be sent an application. The final application deadline for this program is October 16, 2009.
Guest students may apply for this program.
Contact
Program Director
Professor Kurt VerBeek, sociology
Email: joannKurt@gmail.com
