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UW Conflict, Human Rights and Education in Colombia

Students are in a line against a wall with a piece of street art on it. some students are smiling and some have straight-faces.
People are gathered around an outdoor market stall and looking at the products.
Hill filled with colorful buildings that are close together.

This program is currently suspended. We will continue to evaluate circumstances for future durations.

Colombia, Bogotá

How do societies move from armed conflict to comprehensive peace? What strategies and actions advance human rights in situations of armed conflict? What role does education play in shaping conditions for peace and human rights? This summer course explores these issues in the context of Colombia’s long-term conflict, recent peace accords, and ongoing struggles to promote equity through education. The course will take place in Bogotá and its rural surroundings, inviting you to engage directly with local activists and communities at the frontlines of peace efforts underway.

During your three weeks in Colombia, you will participate in class sessions with Colombian students to learn about the history and current political, social, and economic contexts in the country. You will hear presentations by diverse Colombian experts on human rights and education.  To contrast academic knowledge with local realities, you will also participate in site visits and excursions, including: one rural and one urban school, where you will have the opportunity to talk with local principals and teachers; the Gold Museum; the Independence Museum; and Bogotá’s famous graffiti tour. Each of these experiences will enable you to better understand the challenges and opportunities for human rights work at a pivotal moment in Colombia’s history. And because life requires balance, you will also explore natural parks, practice Spanish, and drink plenty of delicious coffee.

Due to the high academic demands of this course, we strongly encourage you to avoid enrolling in an additional online course in Summer A session.

The program will be led by Professor Diana Rodríguez-Gómez, born and raised in Bogotá, with expertise in peace and human rights education. Activities will be conducted in both English and Spanish (with translation provided).

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

In this course, students will:

  • Critically engage with theoretical concepts to explore the links between education, armed conflict and human rights.

  • Understand the role of the United States and transnational capital in Colombia's armed conflict.

  • Explore multiple worldviews and analyze power relations while initiating meaningful interaction with others (in Colombia and within our group) to address problems related to human rights and education.

  • Meaningfully synthesize experiences outside of the formal classroom to deepen our understanding of the intersection between human rights, armed conflict and education.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate Student
  • Open to UW-Madison degree seeking students and all degree-seeking undergraduate students at a US college or university. Preference is given to UW-Madison students
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Educational Policy Studies 

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Residence Hall

Program Duration

Summer

Application Deadline(s)

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

This is the first faculty led program developed and sponsored by Education Policy Studies for students in that major. Available credit for this program meets requirements of the Education Policy Studies major, a new major that launched in Fall 2017. The major has two strands; students who select the 'global strand' have a short list of required courses to fulfill requirements that include the approved Ed Policy equivalent for this program.

Participants will be granted 3 credits and be able to choose from the following approved equivalents:

  • Ed Policy Studies 335

  • Ed Policy Studies 220

  • Political Science 690

  • International Studies 335

Due to the high academic demands of this course, we strongly encourage you to avoid enrolling in an additional online course in Summer A session.

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents

Program Leader

Professor Diana Rodriguez-Gomez

Diana Rodríguez-Gómez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her academic and teaching interests focus on the intersections of violence, education, and armed conflict, particularly in countries affected by the "War on Drugs." Her research agenda examines the internal workings of educational systems in relation to peacebuilding efforts and engages with the fields of anthropology of the state, refugee studies, education in emergencies, and comparative and international education. She holds an Ed.D. in International Educational Development with an emphasis on Human Rights and Peace Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.