Semester in Cuba

The Semester in Cuba Program is offered jointly by Presbyterian College and the University of Havana. It was offered for the first time during the Fall Semester of 2007 and for the second time in Fall 2008.  The third offering of the Semester in Cuba Program was for the Spring Semester of 2010.

The program consists of five courses: Cuban History, Politics and Society; the Political Economy of the World System; the History of U.S.-Cuban Relations; Spanish language; and an independent study course. The program includes 135 hours of educational experiences and activities, including visits to relevant museums, research and educational centers, and civic and popular organizations in the city of Havana and other cities of Cuba, including Santa Clara, Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo, Cienfuegos, and Pinar del Rio.

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Special Programs:

A special program has been designed for Spanish majors who demonstrate competence in Spanish: they will be able to enroll in three courses in Latin American or Cuban literature offered for Cuban students by the University of Havana. In addition, these students will enroll in: Cuban History, Politics, and Society; and the Political Economy of the World System. (See Special Program for Spanish majors).

A special program in Marine Biology is also available. Students selecting this option choose two courses in Marine Biology offered (in English) by the Center for Marine Research of the University of Havana. In addition to the two courses in Marine Biology, these students will take: Cuban History, Politics, and Society; the Political Economy of the World System; and Spanish language. (See Special Program in Marine Biology).

Requirements:

Junior standing and a 3.0 academic average are required for acceptance into the program. In addition, much weight is given to an essay that all students must write as part of their application to the Semester in Cuba Program.

Students from colleges and universities other than Presbyterian College are able to participate in the program. In order to satisfy U.S. regulations governing travel to Cuba, it will be necessary for all students from other colleges and universities to apply to Presbyterian College and be admitted as a regular full-time student at Presbyterian College. Such students can maintain their status at their regular colleges and universities in accordance with procedures for Study Abroad students at these institutions.

Fluency in Spanish is not required. The academic courses and the educational experiences (except Spanish language) are conducted in English. However, previous study of Spanish at the general education level is desirable, as some knowledge of Spanish aids observation of and participation in Cuban society. In order to strengthen knowledge of Spanish, the program begins with an intensive study of Spanish of three hours each weekday for four weeks. The Spanish language courses are designed by the Faculty of Foreign Languages of the University of Havana for students from countries in which Spanish is not the native language. The students will be placed in a Spanish-language course according to their level of ability. Students in the program are enrolled in classes with students from a variety of countries.

Faculty & Contact Information:

Dr. Charles McKelvey, Professor of Sociology at Presbyterian College, serves as Resident Director of the program. A team of six professors, including Dr. McKelvey and five Cuban professors and researchers from the Center for Hemispheric and U.S. Studies of the University of Havana, develop and teach the courses and educational activities.

For further information on the Semester in Cuba Program, please contact:

Dr. Charles McKelvey

Department of Sociology

Presbyterian College

Clinton, SC 29325

E-mail: cemck@presby.edu

864-833-1018 (home)

864-833-8385 (office)