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College of Humanity and Social Science
Department of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS)
Participatory Research Methods for Sustainable Development (Ecuador)

• Course Description
• Participant Information (How To Sign Up)
• Required Documents
• Itinerary
• Costs
  

COURSE FLYER

CARM/D 6625: Global Field Studies Practicum in Conflict Resolution
Instructor: Dr. Elena Bastidas
bastidas@nova.edu | (954) 559-5068

This course is developed around principles of participatory research, conflict resolution, and sustainable development. The course uses a multidisciplinary perspective that promotes interaction with communities through research, learning, and practice. Instructors concentrate on providing the theoretical and practical skills needed to engage in field research. Students will work as a research team to analyze the impact of immigration in the community of Vilcabamba, also known as, The Valley of Longevity. Students will be interacting with local government officials, local residents, and immigrants from the U.S. and Europe. Using a sustainable systems framework, students will analyze the interactions of all components of this community and identify where and how conflicts arise and how they can be transformed.

This course is open to all graduate students.  Students can take it as a practicum or an elective course.  This course is accepted as an elective for all concentrations in DCRS.  Students from other departments please contact Dr. Bastidas and your chair to arrange administrative logistics.

Participation Information (How To Sign Up!)

• Register for the class with Dr. Bastidas during open registration
• Total cost of the program: $1,000
• Pay the required $500 deposit by March 15, 2019
• Submit the Application Form 
• Complete all required pre-departure components of the course and as required by the Office of International Affairs.

Required Documents

• Application Form
• Release of Liability Form
• Passport (valid for at least 6 months following the end of the trip) 
• Proof of NSU's Required Travel Insurance
• Proof of U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) Registration

Itinerary

This is a summer hybrid course that includes an online component and a 10-day intensive program in Ecuador during June 28 to July 7, 2019. 

After an orientation and introductory sessions, a charter bus takes the group to The Valley of Longevity in the South of Ecuador. Students become part of a participatory research team that will Analyze the impact of immigration in The Valley of Longevity.

• DAY 1 – Students arrive to Guayaquil.
• DAY 2 – Orientation & Introduction. Travel to the city of Cuenca.
• DAY 3 – Historical, cultural and political background of Ecuador. Travel to Vilcabamba.
• DAY 4 – Start research process. Planning, research teams, data collection.
• DAY 5 – Morning: data collection / Afternoon: data collection/ Evening: debriefing.
• DAY 6 – Focus groups: local government, local residents, immigrants/ Evening: debriefing.
• DAY 7 – Morning data analysis/Afternoon: last round of data collection. Evening: debriefing.
• DAY 8 – Analysis, conclusions and recommendations. Presentation of results to stakeholders.
• DAY 9 – Travel to Guayaquil
• DAY 10 – Departure.

Costs

Projected Cost — $1,000 

• Deposit of $500 due by March 15, 2019
• Final payment of $1,000 due by April 1, 2019
• All payments are nonrefundable. However, if the class is canceled, all payments made to the university will be refunded.
• Make payments by credit card using the online Marketplace  

Included 

• Lodging
• 2 Meals per Day (Breakfast + One Meal)
• Transportation within Ecuador

Not Included

• Airfare to Ecuador
• NSU Tuition and Fees for the Course
• NSU's Mandatory Travel Insurance
• Passport & Immigration Fees (if required)
• Personal Expenses

Students requesting accommodations for travel study should contact
Student Disability Services at disabilityservices@nova.edu or (954) 262-7185.