Program Details
Location
Dakar,
Senegal
Term
May Session
Housing
Homestay
Hotel
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Non UofM Students
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
Graduate Students
GPA
2.5
About
The African diaspora continues to be misrepresented in international and national media, further promoting the divide of African influence in American societies, cultures, and ways of being. Using historical and modern-day research methods, Afrofuturist and Pan-Africanist movements, community engagement, and cross-disciplinary approaches, engage in the design research process to tackle emerging community issues that directly oppress Black communities throughout the United States. Meet with Senegalese community members in a variety of industries and learn innovative, creative ways to help heal our communities, promote abolitionist principles, and advance collective liberation.
Course Description
This course will explore Black ancestral narratives to learn from the counter-stories of people throughout the African diaspora. Through discussion, writing, community-engaged research, and creative projects, we’ll examine current systems of oppression and their direct impact on Black communities in the United States.
At the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
- Identify West African cultural and design influences on modern-day society
- Apply historical and present-day West African practices toward the reimagining of Black liberatory futures in the United States
- Understand new ways to decolonize your understanding of design impact on society
- Identify ways systemic oppression is rooted in society and contributes to the oppression of Black communities
- Gain insight and new practices from community engagement throughout the West African diaspora to use in your work and discipline
Program Model
Housing & Meals
You will live in shared hotels and with a host family with other program participants while on the program. In host families, you will be with one other UofM student in a vetted family, matched through a questionnaire given pre-departure. Most meals are included in the program fee.
Excursions
Excursions and guest lectures may include:
- Lac Rose (Pink Lake)
- Lecture on Feminism, women's movements, and hip hop music
- Lecture on the World Bank
- Lecture or visit on professional training
- Local volunteer opportunities
- Soumbedioune market
- African Renaissance Monument
- Village des Arts
- Musée des Civilizations Noires (Museum of Black Civilizations)
- Musée de la Femme
- Gorée Island and House of Slaves
- Black Rock
- Sandaga and HLM Markets
- Place du souvenir and Musée de la Femme
- Park de Bandia
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Flight
The LAC will provide information on booking a designated flight. This flight will be the one the leader travels on and/or will include airport pick-up and transfers in-country. Estimated flight costs are noted in the budget, but fares may change until booked. You are advised not to book flights until given program confirmation from the LAC.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
- Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
- Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches
Faculty & Staff
This course is led by Dr. Terresa Hardaway, Associate Professor of Graphic Design and Director of Design Justice. Dr. Hardaway has led this program previously.
Program Structure
Program Level
4000-level coursework
Courseload
One 3-credit course
Global Seminars are 3-week study abroad programs led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:
- Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
- Small groups of 15–25 students
- No prerequisites or language requirements
- Included excursions and cultural activities
- Instruction in English
Coursework
You’ll be assessed via three projects (a personal journal, a weekly media or experiential response, and a Black liberatory future creative project). You’ll be expected to write journal entries, explain and apply media/experience and learned concepts, participate in class, and complete a final project, including some research and writing.
Receive credit for: DES 4403/5503
Approved for: Race, Power, and Justice in the U.S. liberal education theme
Syllabus for Designing for Black Liberatory Futures: Back to Senegal
Sustainability
The Learning Abroad Center is committed to sustainability and incorporating this into its programs. This course can be tied to Sustainable Development Goals through course content and program activities including:
SDG 5: Gender Equality—Many site visits focus on the intersection of gender, and how economically and educationally women have been oppressed. When brainstorming Black liberation, this is heavily considered as a foundational concept in our collective freedom.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation—You will participate in recycling and waste clean up opportunities, as well as guest lectures from climate activists to understand clearly how colonialism affects the current climate and the techniques used to help overcome these systemic issues.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth—Speak with shop owners about their businesses to gain a deeper understanding of how economic autonomy can be built and how economic power is actually shared amongst communities.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities—This concept is the foundation of the course. You will be asked to consider how you can apply learnings to Black liberatory outcomes here in Minnesota and the United States.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions—Heavily critique the French colonial structures and their continued affects on the Senegalese people. This includes banking systems that are currently being protested in the country.
Academic Registration
If confirmed, you will be registered for your course by the Learning Abroad Center once registration opens for your term abroad. Make sure you have no holds that would prevent registration.
If you haven't already, communicate with your academic adviser(s) as applicable to review the course for your major, minor, or college requirements. University of Minnesota students should use the Academic Planning Form (PDF), located on your confirmation checklist.
Dates Details
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Term | Program Dates | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| May 2027 | mid May–early June, 2027 | February 15, 2027 |
Program dates are subject to change.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.
Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.
Information Sessions
Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.
| Date | Time | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall dates forthcoming | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
- Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**
The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:
Fees
The Cost of Participation (program fee) includes educational costs, program activities, housing, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, some meals, international medical, security & evacuation insurance, local transportation, and program administration. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The estimated Cost of Participation for this program is forthcoming.
You must also budget for international airfare (with LAC guidance), visa (if applicable), passport and passport photos, meals not included in program fee, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses. Additional estimated costs for this program are forthcoming.
The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of summer enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.
Flight & Deposit Advance
The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
Next Steps
- After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
- Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
- If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
- Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
- Passport Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information Form
- Online Health & Safety Orientation
- Release & Waiver
- You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, email
Jemma Lund at [email protected],
or call at
612.625.8827.