Peru in Depth
Society and Religion in Transition
General Description:
From July 1 through July 22, 2003 the University of Rochester will co-sponsor an in-depth study experience in Peru. The trip focuses, on the political, socio-economic, and religious nature of Peru, offering participants a chance to study and experience one of Latin America's most complex and fascinating countries.
Requirements:
Participants are strongly encouraged to take a course in Spanish, preferably through the Department of Modern Languages and Culture of the University of Rochester. Because Peru is a developing country in the tropics, you must be in good physical and psychological health to participate in the trip. All participants need a valid passport. Citizens of the United States do not require a prearranged visa.
Course Dynamics:
During our time in Peru we try to understand the history and social nature of the country using the best teachers available - Peruvians. Beginning in Lima, we focus on the history, politics, economics, and religious nature of Peru, past and present. Our teachers are the staff and associates of the Bartolome las Casas Center in Lima. The Las Casas Center is a think tank made up of social critics, liberation theologians, and Peruvian social activists committed to the development of their nation.
After a week in the Lima area participants travel to either Chiclayo, a major urban area on the northern coast of Peru or Iquitos, a city located in the Amazon basin. Students who opt for Chiclayo have an opportunity to study the Christian communities in action. Those who travel to Iquitos spend time with members of local non-government organizations dedicated to ecological issues and rural community development. Iquitos, which is on the Amazon itself is a port city that connects Peru with Brazil. It is also one of the most important petroeum producing regions of the country. The third phase of the trip takes us to Cuzco, famous for its Inca ruins and Machu Picchu, one of the world's most spectacular archeological sites. During the last three days of the trip, spent in Lima, there is time for further reflection and synthesis, and whatever shopping people want to do.
Peru in a Nutshell
Peru has a population of nearly 25,000,000 people. About 8,000,000 people reside in the city of Lima. Geographically, the country is divided into three zones: the coast, the Andean mountain range, arid the Amazon jungle basin. Each area is culturally and linguistically distinct. Along the coast, Spanish is the principal language. In the Andes, Quechua and Aymara are the language of large numbers of peasants who make up nearly half of the nation's population. In the Amazon, Spanish and dozens of indigenous languages are spoken by scattered people who reside in the most underdeveloped part of Peru.
In 1532, Peru was invaded by Spanish soldiers who conquered a sophisticated indigenous world whose capital was the city of Cuzco, 11,500 feet above sea level. The Inca Empire at the time stretched from modern-day Ecuador to Argentina and was characterized by a well-developed political and social system. Although defeated, indigenous Peruvians were never vanquished. Their world and languages are very much alive today. In many ways, Peru is a country still searching for its own identity-- a cause of much cultural and political turmoil over the last five centuries. In the last ten years economic and political problems have been acute, although the country now seems to be on the road to recovery.
Cost
The cost of the trip, excluding airfare from our point of origin, is $2265. This, fee includes six hours of academic credit, from the University of Rochester, food and lodging in Peru, internal travel, and all other expenses, except your own purchases and a $25.00 tourist exit tax when you leave Peru. For those who do not wish to receive academic credit, the all-inclusive price, excluding airfare, is $1650.00.
Application forms are available from the Department of Religion and Classics of the University of Rochester and must be filled-out no later than March 1. Students accepted for the program are notified by March 15. Please submit your application to Prof. Cadorette in the Religion and Classics Department.
A Student's Perspective
Samuel Huber, '99, reflects on his experiences in Peru.
