Harvard Summer Program in San Jose, Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 20-August 15

Description: Costa Rica with its cloud forests, volcanoes, and idyllic beaches is known as a destination for ecotourists. But the Central American country also has a vibrant society and varied industries. It is the only Latin American country without an army. With a literacy rate around 95 percent, it boasts more educators than police officers. And as one of Latin America's oldest democratic republics, Costa Rica has a diverse economy that features not only ecotourism but also pharmaceuticals, electronics, and software development.

The importance of education and development in Costa Rica makes it an ideal location for this program, which explores how anthropological knowledge can inform the design of culturally responsive learning environments. We collaborate with the Omar Dengo Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Costa Rica that for the last 20 years has investigated and implemented several endeavors on technologies of education. Through this program, students participate in the implementation of Costa Rica's One to One Computing initiative.

Highlights:
ANTH S-1741d Study Abroad in San José, Costa Rica: An Anthropological Perspective on Media in Education

This course explores the intersection between anthropological and educational research and theory building. Topics include the comparative ethnographic studies of educational forms (including craft apprenticeship and formal schooling); socio-cultural theories of cognitive and linguistic development; and varieties of literacy, including computer-based literacy, which we term cybercy. We work to demonstrate how ethnographic inquiry and theorizing can provide critical insight into the ways digital technologies mediate practices of the school and local community. Prerequisites: adequate conversational Spanish fluency to carry out ethnographic research.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: $5,610

- tuition
- room and board
- three excursions (including housing and meals)

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Programs's Mission Statement: The Harvard Summer School makes Harvards academic resourcesa distinguished faculty, well-equipped laboratories, fine museums, and a world-class university library available to men and women of many ages, backgrounds, and nationalities through an intensive summer session of liberal arts courses in Cambridge and overseas. Our international student body includes Harvard undergraduate and graduate students, visitors from other colleges and universities, highly qualified secondary school students, adult learners, and nonnative English speakers seeking to refine their language skills. Students take courses to challenge themselves academically, meet degree requirements, prepare for graduate school, gain college experience, advance their careers, and pursue personal enrichment. Students who study at Harvard Summer School may reside in a supportive residential environment, commute to campus, complete courses via distance education, or participate in one of the faculty-led programs based abroad. Many come to experience the extraordinary environment of Harvard College academics, resources, and residential life. Harvard Summer School serves the University community by providing faculty with teaching opportunities that allow them to experiment with new materials and teaching methods. Students from many Harvard schools take advantage of the breadth of summer course offerings to meet requirements for concentrations and degree programs, and to create more flexibility within their term-time academic program. Harvard graduate students from abroad can work on refining their English language skills, and Harvard College students take advantage of the summer session to expand their cultural, social, and intellectual horizons by studying abroad.