We offer several courses that introduce
students to foreign cultural adaptation, ethnographic research methods,
and the local historical and contemporary cultures of Baja California.
The courses are designed to assist the students' adaptation to Mexican
culture and culture shock, and to introduce the student to ethnographic
field methods and their application to research projects. All students
will keep an ethnographic journal of their activities and learning experiences.
Students will carry out an independent research project in either Ethnographic
Field Study or Research Methods. This will result in a written paper.
First Session Classes
ASB 302/583: Ethnographic Field Study in Mexico/Field Work. This course covers cultural adaptation, Mexican culture, and basic ethnographic methods. The characteristics of Mexican cultural life are addressed through material in Good Neighbors, with particular emphasis on Mexican cultural communication, family life, social relations, psychology, and value. Students study the families they live with and the communities where they live through the application of basic ethnographic interviewing, observation, and survey techniques as exemplified in the basic text: Field Projects in Anthropology (Crane and Angrosino). This course is required of all students who have not previously participated in the program.
ASB 494: Contemporary Mexican Culture. This course is a self-directed class designed to give you the opportunity to learn about the contemporary culture of Ensenada, BC, Mexico. You are required to attend 10 local cultural events and take jottings and write notes from those experiences. You will be provided with a list of local events from which to choose. This course is normally available on a Pass/Not Pass basis only.
SPA 101: Elementary Spanish. Fundamentals of the language. Emphasis on listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
SPA 201:
Intermediate Spanish. Continuation of the fundamentals. Emphasis
on the development of the skills of reading, listening comprehension, speaking,
writing, and culture.
Second Session Classes
ASB 302/583: Ethnographic Field Study in Mexico/Field Work. This course covers cultural adaptation, Mexican culture, and basic ethnographic methods. The characteristics of Mexican cultural life are addressed through material in Good Neighbors, with particular emphasis on Mexican cultural communication, family life, social relations, psychology, and value. Students study the families they live with and the communities where they live through the application of basic ethnographic interviewing, observation, and survey techniques as exemplified in the basic text: Field Projects in Anthropology (Crane and Angrosino). This course is required of all students who have not previously participated in the program.
ASB 394: Cultures of Baja California. This course is taught by a local anthropologist. The course covers prehistorical, historical, and contemporary cultures of Baja California, including the indigenous cultures as well as immigrant indigenous groups. The mission system created by the Spanish and the Mexicans will constitute another focus. Contemporary indigenous cultures of Baja are also covered. Enrollment is limited; the class meets on evenings and weekends and includes camping trips to reservations.
ASB 494: Contemporary Mexican Culture. This course is a self-directed class designed to give you the opportunity to learn about the contemporary culture of Ensenada, BC, Mexico. You are required to attend 10 local cultural events and take jottings and write notes from those experiences. You will be provided with a list of local events from which to choose. This course is normally available on a Pass/Not Pass basis only.
ASB 494/500: Ethnographic Research Methods/Research Methods. This is a second session course which begins during the first session. The course is organized around the materials in Anthropological Research: The Structure of Inquiry (Pelto and Pelto) and Research Methods in Anthropology (Bernard). The course focuses on teaching research approaches and the development of student projects leading to the preparation of a final paper. The course moves from conceptualization of a project, to community study, hypotheses development, operationalization, formulation of variables, data collection, analyses, and integration of quantitative and qualitative approaches. Evaluation is based on the ethnographic journals, class participation, a presentation of your ongoing project, and a final report. Students are allowed two weeks beyond the end of the program to complete the writing of their reports.
SPA 102: Elementary Spanish. Fundamentals of the language. Emphasis on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The continuation of SPA 101.
SPA 202: Intermediate Spanish. Continuation of the fundamentals. Emphasis on the development of the skills of reading, listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and culture. The continuation of SPA 201.
