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Explore South Africa with the School of Social Work

The School is hosting a summer study abroad trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, May 21-June 1, 2011. Applications are due March 25.

This course will examine social issues, development strategies, and health programs in the new South Africa. Students will participate in an International Symposium at the University of Johannesburg May 24-25 on “Social Protection in Southern Africa: New Opportunities for Social Development.”

Additionally, the course will explore how policy is being designed to respond to the needs of all South Africans. Our stay in Johannesburg will include visits to townships, local and national governmental and non-governmental agencies, health and medical facilities, cultural and tourist landmarks and universities.

Lectures and discussions on social development, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, political transitions, and racial and cultural issues in South Africa will accompany this experience, allowing opportunity for analysis, reflection and collective learning. We will engage with people working in townships such as Soweto, visit a medical facility treating persons with HIV/AIDS, and explore cultural centers and museums. We will also meet with South African students and with alumni teaching and practicing social work in South Africa.

This course is open to all MSW graduate students, as well as practitioners, administrators, and educators in social work who want to learn more about social issues and culture in southern Africa. Friends and family members of participants are also welcome; however, priority will be given to students and social work educators and practitioners. There are no prerequisites for this course. Students taking the course for credit will earn three credit hours.

The program leaders for this trip are UNC School of Social Work faculty members Dr. Gina Chowa, Dan Hudgins and Sharon Thomas.

Photos from our 2009 trip