PS 494/HIST 369 - Issues in Modern Africa

Dr. Jim Gump and Dr. Mike Williams

June 25 - July 12

Program Fees

Application Fee:    $100.00

Tuition (3 units):    $1300.00

Housing:                $1150.00

Excursions:            $1000.00

Total:                   $3550.00

*Student loans are available from the Financial Aid Office.  You need to get an application from the office and submit it before March 18.

Additional Fees

Airfare:                $2000.00 - $2300.00

Optional Safari:    $1390.00

Important Deadlines

March 1                $300 security deposit due (non-refundable)

May 15                 All remaining fees due                          

*For more information on registration and fees please contact the Study Abroad Office at 260-4598.

Medical Information

You might need certain vaccinations before coming to South Africa.  Please consult your doctor and the Center for Disease Control website for more information.  For those of you who are going to go on the Safari, we will be in a malaria zone and you will need to take the proper medication.  Please consult your doctor and/or the Center for Disease Control website for more information.

Flight Information

Because many of us will be flying from different locations, we are not going to organize a group flight to South Africa.  When you make your reservations, please make sure that you will arrive in Cape Town on Sunday, June 24th (preferably in the morning or afternoon).  The class will begin on Monday, June 25th and it is important that you get some rest before we begin.  When you arrive in Cape Town you will be picked up at the airport and taken to the hotel.  We will provide more information about this later in the semester.

If you are not going to go on the Safari, you will want to make reservations to leave Johannesburg on July 12th in the late afternoon or evening.  If you are planning to attend the Safari, you will want to make reservations to leave on July 16th in the late afternoon or evening. 

There are many different travel agents that offer deals to South Africa.  You may also want to contact the airlines directly.  Of the airlines that fly to South Africa, Virgin Airlines, Northwest/KLM, Iberia and Delta/South African Airlines seem to have the best deals.  Here are some travel agents that have been particularly helpful:

Student Travel Agency (858-270-6401) [ask for Adam Cooper and tell him you are part of the USD group going to South Africa]

Travel Spark (1-866-856-6161)

Airfare Planet (1-888-204-8869)

Trekkerstravel.com (1-800-626-0466)

Airline Consolidator (1-888-468-5385)

Virgin Airlines (1-800-862-8621)

Packing Information

It will be the winter season in South Africa while we are there.  Temperatures will range from the low 50s to the mid 70s depending on where we are in the country.  You can expect cool weather and rain in Cape Town, mild temperatures and dry in Durban, and colder temperatures and dry in Johannesburg.  Kruger National Park might be a bit warmer (70s) with a chance of some rain.  Obviously, this information is based on seasonal averages and we cannot guarantee that we will experience similar weather.

Because you will probably want to purchase some souvenirs while you are there, we would suggest that you pack so that you have room to bring items back to the USA.  There will be opportunities to do laundry while we are there but you will be responsible for these expenses.

In terms of electronics, South Africa's electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 Hz.  Most plugs have three round pins but some plugs with two smaller pins are also found on appliances. Adaptors can be purchased but may be in short supply. US-made appliances may need a transformer.

Course Objectives

This study abroad course offers students a unique opportunity to visit South Africa and to learn more about its history, politics, and culture.  As a country that is ten years removed from apartheid rule, the study of South African politics and history will enable students to think critically about the legacy of authoritarian rule, democratization, and race and ethnic reconciliation.  This academic component will be supplemented with opportunities to engage with South African communities, such as black townships and rural villages.  These experiences will introduce students to different cultural traditions and practices that students can then share with their friends and family in the United States.  This type of international experience, both in terms of its academic and non-academic goals, reinforces university goals to promote cultural awareness and diversity on campus. This three unit course will be cross-listed in both the Political Science and History Departments (PS 494 and HIST 369).

Course Syllabus, Readings, and Assignments

This information will be posted soon.

Tentative South Africa Itinerary

Sunday, June 24               Arrive in Cape Town; Welcome Dinner; Stay at the Lady Hamilton Hotel (from June 24-July 2)

Monday, June 25              Walking tour of Cape Town

Tuesday, June 26              Lectures at University of Cape Town; Tour of Langa Township

Wednesday, June 27        Tour of Cape Peninsula (lunch provided)

Thursday, June 28            Lectures at University of Cape Town; Tours of District 6 and Bokaap

Friday, June 29                 Tours of Parliament and Robben Island (visit the SA Government Webpage for more information on politics); Farewell      

                                        Dinner

Saturday, June 30             Tour of Table Mountain (including lunch at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens)

Sunday, July 1                  Tour of Stellenbosch and the Wine Country             
 

Monday, July 2                 Depart for Durban; Stay at the Florida Park Hotel (from July 2-July 5)

Tuesday, July 3                 Tour of Durban (including KwaMuhle Museum and Cato Manor)

Wednesday, July 4           Lectures at University of Natal-Durban; Tour of Valley of 1000 Hills

Thursday, July 5                Leave for Zululand (lunch at Shakaland); Stay at The George Hotel in Eshowe

Friday, July 6                     Leave Eshowe for Dundee; Stay at the Royal Country Inn in Dundee (from July 6-7)

Saturday, July 7                 Tour of Zulu Battlefields

Sunday, July 8                    Leave for Johannesburg; Stay in Johannesburg

Monday, July 9                  Tour of Johannesburg (including Constitution Hill and Apartheid Museum)
 

Tuesday, July 10                 Tour of Soweto (including lunch at Wandie's)

Wednesday, July 11           Tour of Pretoria  (including the Kruger Museum, the Voortrekker Monument Museum, and the Union Building)

Thursday, July 12              Depart for Safari or depart for the USA             

Optional Safari Trip

Thursday, July 12            Chobe National Park

Friday, July 13                Chobe National Park

Saturday, July 14            Chobe National Park

Sunday, July 15               Chobe National Park

Monday, July 16            Leave Chobe for Johannesburg; Depart to USA from Johannesburg