Academics

Fields of Study: Humanities, Social Sciences

Come away with an entirely new perspective on human rights beyond the borders of the US. Courses are interdisciplinary and include cultural activities and excursions so you can understand the history of these two very different societies and their reforms. Immersing in daily life in each location enhances your understanding of today’s socio-political conditions and their impact on memory, culture, and the reestablishment of justice. You will analyze how past constructions of human rights influence current thinking on the rights of women, indigenous populations, students, and other groups. You’ll also see how human rights connect to topics such as development, poverty, and democracy.

Unique study opportunities

  • Engage in interactive class discussions.
  • Get to know instructors and classmates with less than 30 students per class.
  • Immerse in Spanish-speaking cultures while taking courses taught in English.

Language

Language of Instruction: English

Spanish Language Study: Required

During the first week of the program in Argentina, you will take an intensive short course on Spanish language. Grammar and vocabulary will focus specifically on the topics covered in the program. There will be ongoing review sessions during the remainder of the program's first session, but the first week will provide the majority of your classroom opportunities to improve your Spanish. This week-long instruction will also incorporate important orientation activities and vocabulary exercises specific to the topics that you will be studying.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program:

  • Take a full-time course of study: Five courses for a total of 21 quarter/14 semester UC units.
  • You may opt to take one content course and the Spanish course for pass/no pass credit.
  • Regardless of Spanish level, no one may opt out of the Spanish course.

Current Program Courses

Session 1: Argentina
In Argentina you will take two courses taught in English addressing the program themes. Both courses include visits to important memorial sites, interviews with survivors and families of the Dirty War, viewing of several important films, and participation in legal proceedings addressing abuses of human rights.

  • Human Rights, Politics and Culture in Argentina: This course examines the struggles and cultural productions—literature, film, sculpture, music, and visual arts—that have played a crucial role in Argentina’s fight for human rights, democracy, peace, and memory. These forms of expression not only supported collective memory-making by providing tools, context, and opportunities for reflection and denunciation but also helped society process the traumatic experience of transitioning back to democratic rule.
    • 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units, cross-listed as Legal Studies, Latin American Studies, Film & Media Studies, and Sociology, upper division
  • Human Rights and Memory in Argentina: This course examines both philosophical topics on human rights and the politics of human rights in Argentina, specifically during the military dictatorship (1976-1983) and the democratic transition.
    • 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units, cross-listed as Political Science and Sociology, upper division
  • Spanish for Human Rights: This abbreviated language course provides students without prior course work or those who have basic knowledge of the language with an introduction to Spanish language skills; students with prior language experience are provided the opportunity to improve upon their oral, written, and reading comprehension skills. There are two levels: basic/intermediate and advanced.
    • 3 quarter/2 semester UC units, lower division

Session 2: Chile
The second session begins with a short orientation in Santiago to help you adjust to your new surroundings. Here you will also take two courses taught in English and visit memorial sites, interact with a variety of community organizations and human rights activists, and meet with student peers at the university.

  • Human Rights, Social Justice, and Transitional Justice in Chile: This course addresses human rights, social justice and transitional justice in Chile today. The intention of the course is to enable students to reflect on the causes and social consequences of political violence, both during the dictatorship and in democracy, the 
    difficulties in moving towards a more egalitarian and cohesive society, the challenges of the rule of law and democracy, and the main struggles for social justice in Chile today.
    • 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units, cross-listed as Legal Studies, Political Science, and Latin American Studies, upper division
  • Memory and Human Rights: Chilean Literature, Film and Media: This course discusses memory and human rights from the perspective of Chilean cultural production from the dictatorial and post-dictatorial period. The course will review some of the most important works of film and literature within the last four decades. 
    • 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units, cross-listed as Comparative Literature, Film and Media Studies, and Latin American Studies, upper division 

Additional or optional coursework, internships, and research for academic credit are not possible on this program.

Catalogs and resources

  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses UC students have taken on this program. 
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

Since UC faculty and staff develop the courses for this program, the workload and assessment will be similar to your experience at UC. Instruction will be fast-paced and interactive. Instructors are dedicated to the subject matter and want to hear from you in class discussions. They like engaging students on interesting topics and are happy to respond to the ideas and questions you share.

You will be in class with other UC students. Classes are typically held Monday through Friday from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm. Film screenings will also take place during these hours. Additional activities and day trips may be on some weekends.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for this program are available by mid- to late January.