MSID Ecuador
Curriculum
Fall or Spring Semester Curriculum
The four semester courses are outlined below. All classes are with program participants and are taught by local faculty. Through the coursework and the internship, you have the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the complex and diverse nature of development as realized in your MSID country.
Advanced Spanish
MSID 3021 | 4 credits | Link to Syllabus (PDF)
Focus on practical skills while emphasizing conversation and vocabulary building.
International Development: Critical Perspectives on Theory and Practice
MSID 4001 | 4 credits, 3 graduate credits
Explore a wide variety of perspectives on international development, with the host country as a case study. This course begins with 10 hours of common discussion on international development. The remaining course is divided into sections, and students select from the following sections in order to prepare for their internship (see track descriptions for more information):
- Education and Literacy (link to syllabus)
- Environmental Studies/Ecology and Sustainable Agriculture (link to syllbus)
- Arts and Cultural Studies (includes literature)
- Microbusiness/Alternative Economies (link to syllbus)
- Public Health (link to syllbus)
- Social Service (poverty, homelessness, family welfare, housing). This section is combined with one of the sections above, depending on the MSID country. (link to syllabus)
Liberal education requirement fulfilled: Social Science core and Civic Life and Ethics theme
MSID Country Analysis
MSID 4002 | 4 credits, 3 graduate credits
This multi-disciplinary study of the MSID country emphasizes the social sciences and history, especially as they relate to development issues.
Liberal education requirement fulfilled: Social Science core
and Global Perspective theme. U of M Spanish department equivalent: SPAN 3510
Community Engagement in the Global South
MSID 4003 | 4 credits, 3 graduate credits
An internship or research project with a host-country development agency or project provides an unparalleled opportunity to study community characteristics, development strategies and problems, organizational structure and culture and cross-cultural communication issues. The length of the internship or research project is six weeks during the first semester. You typically spend approximately 25 to 30 hours each week at your internship or research site, although this may vary depending on the specific site and project. A list of sample past internships and research projects is available.
Written assignments help link experiences to theories and issues raised in the classroom. A program faculty member or the on-site director visits you at least once at your internship or research site during the internship/research period. At the end of each semester, you gather in the host city or a retreat site for a seminar, which helps integrate your experiences and newly acquired knowledge. 12 contact hours of this course are incorporated into the classroom phase and provide specific training on research methodology to prepare students for their research or internship project.
Liberal education requirement fulfilled: Social Science core and Civic Life and Ethics theme.
U of M Spanish department equivalent: SPAN 3970
Academic Year Curriculum
Enroll in the four fall semester courses and continue spring semester with the following curriculum. A sample syllabus is available.
Topics: Case Studies in International Development
MSID 4004 | 4 credits, 3 graduate credits
Explore development issues as illustrated by students’ projects and organized in sections, such as Environment and Development and Health and Development.
Liberal education requirement fulfilled: Social Science core and Global Perspectives theme. U of M Spanish department equivalent: SPAN 3970
International Development Internship
MSID 4005 | 4 credits, 3 graduate credits
Apply selected field research methods and analyze the practical, ethical, and theoretical issues raised through small field assignments and individual research projects.
Liberal education requirement fulfilled: Social Science core and Civic Life and Ethics theme
Applied Field Methods
MSID 4006 | 4 credits, 3 graduate credits
Please see above description.
Liberal education requirement fulfilled: Civic Life and Ethics theme.
MSID Directed Research
MSID 4007 | 4 credits, 3 graduate credits
In consultation with a local faculty member, develop an individualized research project. The research project allows you to work in depth on a project that is of particular interest to you.
U of M Spanish department equivalent: SPAN 3970
Global Identity
Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your overseas experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. The course assists you in reflecting on multiple layers of cross-cultural experience and marketing your study abroad experience for future goals.
