Pitzer in Southern Africa Semester Program
Johannesburg, South Africa
The Pitzer in Southern Africa program is a multi-country comparative studies semester program in Botswana and South Africa. Through the program, students will learn about the multiple ways governments, NGOs, and local communities choose to approach issues such as colonial legacy, development, power, human rights, big game conservation, tourism, health care, education, and poverty alleviation. Students live with host families, participate in community service projects, study local cultures, and work with scholars and experts in each country. The program is affiliated with Botho University, a private university in Botswana committed to sustainability and social responsibility.
Students will begin the semester in Botswana learning Setswana and living with host families in the village of Manyana. They also begin the first part of their core course learning about the history, politics, and culture of Botswana. Participants then move to South Africa where they live with host families in Soweto and continue with the second part of the core course learning about the anti-apartheid movement along with the history of South Africa. Students end the semester by doing their Independent Study Project (ISP) which can be completed in either county.
Program Dates
- Fall: Mid-August to mid-December
- Spring: mid-January to late-May
Eligibility and Preparation
- Students must be in good academic standing and have a 2.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Coursework in Development Studies, African Studies, Intercultural Studies, and/or Socio-Cultural Anthropology is encouraged
- The program is open to Pitzer students and non-Pitzer undergraduate students
Courses & Credits
| Course | Claremont Credits | Semester Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course: Continuity and Change | 2.0 | 8 |
| Intensive Language | 1.0 | 4 |
| Independent Study Project | 1.0 | 4 |
| TOTALS | 4.0 | 16 |
Program Information
Core Course: Continuity and Change
The course combines lectures, readings, discussions, and extensive writing with the more experiential components of family stays study trips, and field assignments. The course is designed to provide students with a broad overview of the region and each of the countries where the program operates. Major elements of the core course include the fieldbook, homestays, and study trips. These along with service-learning projects and a series of lectures given by university faculty and specialists, provide a comprehensive look into the history, politics, culture, religion, and important current issues. For Pitzer students, this course will satisfy Pitzer’s Social Responsibility Praxis (SRX) requirement.
Intensive Language
The College values language learning. Understanding the local language honors the host community, connects students with locals, and open windows into the host culture. Students will study intensive Setswana during the first month of the program in Botswana. The course emphasizes proficiency in speaking and listening through a highly communicative, interactive language curriculum.
Independent Study
The Independent Study Project is a chance for students to explore in-depth an aspect of Botswana or South Africa in which they are particularly interested. The weeks allotted for the project come at the end of the program allowing students to travel and do research independently as well as draw upon the cultural knowledge and information they have acquired throughout the semester. Students begin formalizing ideas for their projects during the second month of the program. These proposals are then discussed and refined in consultations and advising sessions with program staff and experts in the student’s field of interest. During the actual project period, students function independently, with program staff and advisers available for assistance when needed.
Program Director
Batsirai Chidzodzo
- Program Director, Pitzer in Southern Africa