International Programs
101 Weingart
Tel: (323) 259-2533
Fax: (323) 341-4976
ipo@oxy.edu

 

Mexico: Oaxaca/Occidental College

Eligibility: 4 semesters college-level Spanish, or equivalent

Dates: Spring semester only; Mid-January – Mid-May

Location: Oaxaca City, capitol of the state of Oaxaca.
The bustling social center in Oaxaca City, the zócalo,
belies the city’s resident population of only 400,000 people.
Artists and archaeologists have been drawn to this part of
Mexico for the Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla, and
a vibrant artistic presence manifests itself throughout the
city. Oaxaca has drawn international attention in recent
years through journalists’ headlines on subjects as diverse
as the historic restoration of the city center, now a
designated World Heritage Site, and the genetic cont-
amination of Mexico’s native corn at its source. Oaxaca is a
unique vantage point from which to view the economic and
social challenges facing Mexico as a whole and particularly
the issues which impact the largely indigenous people of the
region.

Program Structure: This is an island program. Students
take courses on the campus of Universidad Autonoma de
Oaxaca, “Benito Juarez”. Courses are taught by faculty
members from the Facultad de Idiomas, the department
of foreign languages, expressly for students participating
on the program. The program is run in conjunction with
Willamette University in Oregon and all students on the
program are from Occidental or Willamette.

Academic Program: The language of instruction is Spanish.
All students on the program enroll in the Core Course for 4.0
credits. The core course changes each semester and past
core courses have included: “Race, Resources, Community
and Culture”, “The Contemporary Mexican Novel” and
“Cultures of Mexico”. In addition, students choose from two
courses, 4.0 credits each, from the following three electives
offered in the Facultad de Idiomas: 19th Century History of
Mexico, Nahuatl History, or History of the Art of Mexico.
Finally, students enroll in a Community Based Research
course for 4.0 credits. Independent projects conducted
during the Community Based Research course have included
such themes as: Ecoturism, education, women’s issues,
indigenous issues, archeology, politics and the arts. The
program includes an excursion to Mexico City, as well as
local historical and artistic sites.

Students should work carefully with the academic staff on-site
to construct an academic program totaling no fewer than sixteen
credits.  A maximum of sixteen Oxy credits will be awarded for
the semester.

Housing: Students live in a single room in a homestay with
a Mexican family.

Number of Students: approximately 12 – 16

Faculty Contact: Salvador Fernandez