VISAGE - Cape Town, South Africa

Education, Social Cohesion, and Economic Development in South Africa

 

At a time when the knowledge-based democratic society is becoming a universal goal, attending to the priorities of education and its various roles in social and economic development is of critical importance. Cultivating human capital, through drawing on social capital, and directing those efforts toward the common good is the primary definition of social cohesion. Investigating the nexus between providing education and building socially cohesive societies is the primary goal of this program.

In the South African context, reaching a contemporary understanding of these phenomena requires becoming knowledgeable about the country’s complex history and how that has shaped the development of its educational systems during different periods. Our focus will be on the study of social institutions before and during the apartheid era and of how individuals and organizations worked to mitigate the effects of institutionalized discrimination. Organizational changes post-apartheid will also be examined, as will the present development challenges faced by South Africans.

Cape Town Program Description

 As South Africa 's oldest university, the University of Cape Town stands as one of Africa's leading teaching and research institutions and is a new core international partner for Vanderbilt University . Working with the Student’s Health and Welfare Centres Organisation (SHAWCO) is a natural extension of that new partnership. SHAWCO provides access to township communities and UCT lecturers, personal coordinators and services (orientation, housing, meals, transport, etc.), flexibility of programming, safe environments for students, and experience in coordinating volunteers and programs.

Important Dates and Contacts

Approximate Dates:                         June 16 – July 12, 2008 (arrive June 14^th)

Site Director:                                              

Marie Martin

Assistant Director

Global Education Office

 

Faculty Director:                         

Prof. Brian L. Heuser

Department of Leadership, Policy and Organizations

Peabody College of Education and Human Development