Program descriptions

Sustainable  Development in Latin America

CIDH, in conjunction with Universidad Latina de Costa Rica gives students the opportunity to learn about human development and environmental issues in Central America within the framework of an interdisciplinary semester program, ideal for both liberal arts and natural science majors.  The program offers the opportunity to broaden knowledge and to experience first-hand the challenge for the sustainability of the region. This, along with CIDH’s academic excellence, as well as Costa Rica's commitment to sustainability creates a uniquely rewarding learning experience.

Academic Courses

1.  POVERTY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT  IN LATIN AMERICA

This course aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge on the development process of Latin America, as well as with analytical tools for a better understanding of the social, cultural, economic and political reality of the region.  Emphasis is given to the sustainability of human development.  To that end, the multidimensionality of development will be thoroughly analyzed.  The discussion of topics  such as social policy, state and social privatization, human security and poverty is included in the course.  In addition, the phenomena of exclusion/inclusion and sustainable livelihoods in relation to indigenous people, children and migrants are studied. (3 credits)

2.  ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES IN LATIN AMERICA

This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge concerning environmental issues which challenge the sustainability of the development process of Latin America.  The use of case studies , the participation of guest speakers, and field trips will allow students not only to understand the major obstacles hindering  the region's development, but to think critically and contribute to the discussion of relevant policies for the sustainability of Latin America's development process. (3 credits)

3. RURAL AND URBAN DIMENSION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The course analyzes the most important characteristics of Latin America's rural and urban development. It is designed to provide an understanding of the evolution of urban and rural development processes in the region and the policies that have conditioned that process.  Statistics will be used  to understand phenomena such as  urban and rural population, rural-urban migration, and poverty. This course includes an analytical approach to the successes and failures experienced in Latin America and how they have impacted, in particular, the local environment. The aim of the course is for students to determine what the future of the region could be if current trends continue and develop a project aimed to secure sustainable livelihoods. (3 credits)

4.  ECOTOURISM, CONSERVATION AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

This course introduces theoretical and practical issues related to ecotourism with emphasis in Latin America.  It examines aspects of the relationship between tourism and local development, ecotourism and protected areas, and between local communities and environmental conservation, as well as the impact of tourism on ecosystems, culture, society and the economy.  Cases of ecotourism in Costa Rica are reviewed and field trips are organized for first-hand, practical experience of  ecotourism and local development issues.   (3 credits)

5.  SPANISH LANGUAGE

Our intensive, small-group Spanish-language courses teach students to effectively communicate orally and in writing. A Spanish placement test will be given at the beginning of the program to determine the student's level of proficiency. (3 credits)

Field trips

To illustrate and better understand the subject of study, students benefit from several field trips, going from the wild coasts of the southern Pacific to the high paramos of the Talamanca mountain range, and the lowlands of the Northern Atlantic region  where they will observe such varied activities as nature tourism, applied biological research, wildlife management, and in short, sustainable human development at work.

Justice, Human Rights, and Development in Latin America

This program offers undergraduate students the possibility to acquire in-depth knowledge on the evolution of justice and human rights in Latin America. The program takes a multi-level approach by looking at the historical, political, and legal evolution of human rights thought and practice in Latin America, and the existing institutional protection framework.  Students are encouraged to engage in policy discussion aimed at seeking creative means to strengthen the human rights system and to ensure its ability to respond to the needs of Latin American societies.

The methodology of the program is based on case studies and first-hand experiences of human rights scholars and practitioners.  The Inter-American Human Rights Commission, the Inter-American Human Rights Court, and the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights are all located in Costa Rica.

Academic courses

1. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY IN CENTRAL AMERICA

This course aims to provide students with in-depth knowledge on the development process of Latin America, as well as with analytical tools for a better understanding of the social, cultural, economic and political reality of the region.  Emphasis is given to the sustainability of human development.  To that end, the multidimensionality of development will be thoroughly analyzed.  The discussion of topics  such as social policy, state and social privatization, human security and poverty is included in the course.  In addition, the phenomena of exclusion/inclusion and sustainable livelihoods in relation to indigenous people, children and migrants are analyzed. (3 credits)

2. JUSTICE, GENDER , AND THE CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPMENT

ces in scope and magnitude, are similar in most of the developing world. Worldwide, gender inequality finds expression in the lack of opportunities and support for women to carry out the kind of life they have good reasons to value. Gender inequality is one, among many other issues, that needs to be addressed in understanding development and underdevelopment. The aim of the course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the links between justice, development and gender relations, and to show how equal relations among women and men are both an end and a means to an end. The analysis is grounded in Latin America but looks at regional approaches and policies, as well as trends in the international arena. The contents of the course are presented with a view to shaping public policy. ( 3 credits )

3. JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN LATIN AMERICA

The course studies the evolution of the Human Rights issue in Latin America in the last two decades. Emphasis is given to the national and regional institutions in charge of protecting political and civil rights, such as the justice system, the United Nations agencies, and the Inter-American Human Rights System.

    The first part of the course introduces the basic concept and theory of human rights and reviews the literature concerning the problems currently facing governments and international institutions that should protect political and civil rights. The second part will be dedicated to the analysis of  the evolution of the human rights  issue in Latin America. At the regional level, the course reviews the development of the Inter-American Human Rights System, consisting of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission, the Inter-American Human Rights Court, and the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights. Also, the U.N guidelines and their application in Latin America will be analyzed. Finally, the course discusses the main challenges facing the national and regional institutions in protecting the rights of Latin American citizens in a context of poverty, growing inequity, and criminal violence. (3 credits)

4. THE POLITICS OF DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA

This course explores Latin American politics and society in a historical perspective.
The course analyzes the changing relations between the state, the economy and society through different historical periods. This approach is used to understand different challenges to the political order throughout Latin American history, with a strong emphasis on the contemporary problems of democracy, particularly in Central America. The course also examines the role of the U.S. in shaping the region’s political evolution. The historical background and the current trends in U.S.—Latin American relations are examined, drawing on specific crises and issues to explore the features of these relations. (3 credits)

5. INTENSIVE SPANISH

Our intensive, small-group Spanish-language courses teach students to effectively communicate orally and in writing. A Spanish placement test will be given at the beginning of the program to determine the student's level of proficiency. (3 credits)

Field trips

To illustrate and better understand the subject of study, students benefit from several field trips, going from the wild coasts of the southern Pacific to the high paramos of the Talamanca mountain range, and the lowlands of the Northern Atlantic region  where, through varied activities, they will observe sustainable human development at work .