EXPLORING WORLD ISSUES: LESOTHO & SOUTH AFRICA

Syllabus
Winter 2008
Instructor: Nthakoana Peko, Ph.D.

Contact Information
Nthakoana Peko: (301) 254-8041
npeko@umd.edu

Course Description
This course examines the issues facing Lesotho and South Africa in the period following apartheid. In particular the course provides you an opportunity to examine the issues of access to education, economy, politics, health, arts and culture and compare the experiences of the two countries.

Course Organization
This course is a study tour that combines observation, lecture and discussion. Discussion questions will be posed by instructors and discussion will be based on these questions, lectures and assigned readings. Students are required to maintain a reflective journal. Each student will select a topic of focus on which s/he will write a final mini research paper.

Course Objectives
· To introduce students to the history of South Africa and Lesotho
· To experience the life and culture of the Basotho people
· To explore the chosen research topic using observation, interviews and immersion into the lives of the people
· To examine and expand personal comfort levels with diversity
· To examine and understand knowledge gaps and myths in the U.S. educational experience

Course Topics
· Reflections on poverty
· Poverty and disease
· Reflections on the flow of knowledge
· Knowledge and power
· Interactions of racism, class, gender and power
· Wealth and power
· Intersections of culture and religion
Preliminary Meeting
October 25th - November 8th - individual meetings to discuss research topic/areas of interest.

Orientation: Friday, November 9th
Research Overview: December 5th
Embassy visitation: TBA

Suggested Readings
Lelimo, M. 1998. The Question of Lesotho’s Conquered Territory: It’s time for an Answer: Morija Museum and Archives
Farmer, P. 2005. Pathologies of Power: University of California Press
Long, C. 2001. Participation of the Poor in Development Initiatives: Earthscan Publications
Desai, A. 2002. "We Are the Poors": Struggles in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Monthly Review Press: New York

Grading Policy
Grades will be determined as follows:
1. Service Project Participation 20%
2. Reflective Journal 25%
3. Attendance and Participation 20%
4. Research Paper 35%

Tentative 2008 Winterterm Itinerary

Wednesday, January 2 Depart US
Thursday, January 3th, 2008 Arrival in Bloemfontein and Settle in with Host Families
Friday, January 4th Historical Overview and Morija Visit Matsieng (The royal village) and Thaba-Bosiu (King Moshoeshoe’s Mountain Fortress)
Saturday and Sunday, January 5th & 6th Free time with host families
Monday, January 7th – Tuesday, Jan 8th Liphofung, and Tsehlanyane (overnight)
Tuesday, January 8th – Wednesday, Jan 9th Katse Dam (overnight) Group processing. Return to Maseru
Thursday January 10th Lecture Series (TRC)
Friday, January 11th Service Project
Saturday, January 12th Free with host families
Sunday, January 13th Host family appreciation Luncheon
Monday, January 14th Malealea or Pulane and Kome Cave Dwellings
Tuesday, January 15th National University of Lesotho with possibility of additional lectures
Wednesday, January 16th Departure to Johannesburg
Thursday, January 17th Sterkfontein Caves & Mini-Safari
Friday, January 18th Soweto and Apartheid Museum (pending)
Saturday, January 19th
Sunday, January 20st Depart for USA

Contact Phones

Nthakoana Peko: 26658412171
Tsehlanyane 26622460723 (January 8-9)
Katse Lodge 26622910202 (January 9-10)
Airport Game Lodge 27113962969 (January 17-21)