The Department of Anthropology at Arizona State University continues its second decade of its summer program, the "Baja California Field School", in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The ethnographic field program offers cultural immersion, intensive Spanish classes, and both undergraduate and graduate instruction in ethnographic field study, research methods, local cultures, indigenous cultures, the U.S.-Mexican border, and special topics. Students are eligible for financial support as provided through their own university's financial assistance programs. The program does not provide financial assistance nor accept volunteers.

LOCATION: Baja California

The program is held in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, a small modern port city on the Pacific Ocean 100 miles south of San Diego, California. Ensenada integrates a small town atmosphere with the rapid economic and political changes sweeping Mexico. The program is held in collaboration with the Escuela Normal Estatal in Ensenada, where classes meet. Students live with Mexican middle class families in Ensenada, with most students living in "Valle Verde", the colonia near the school. The program is focused on writing a comprehensive traditional ethnography of the Ensenada area. Qualified students will be invited to participate as contributors.

ELIGIBILITY

All college level students are eligible to apply. Preference is given to students with anthropology backgrounds, Spanish skills, and who apply for both sessions. Applications with a $100 deposit (non-refundable upon acceptance into the program) are due March 1, 2000. Applications received after that date will be considered on a space available basis when accompanied by payments due to date. Final payments are due in full by May 1, 2000. Students who participated in previous year's programs may be eligible to take a reduced course load.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Students enroll for 14 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credit (seven for first session only) for either grade, pass, or audit. Students must take "Ethnographic Field Study" or "Field Work". Those lacking Spanish conversational skills must take Spanish.

Session 1:
ASB 302: Ethnographic Field Study (3)
ASB 494: Contemporary Mexican Culture (1-4)
ASB 583: Field Work (1-7)
SPA 101: Spanish (4)
SPA 201: Spanish (4)

Session 2:
ASB 394: Cultures of Baja California (3)
ASB 494: Ethnographic Research Methods (1-7)
ASB 494: Contemporary Mexican Culture (1-4)
ASB 500: Research Methods (1-7)
SPA 102: Spanish (4)
SPA 202: Spanish (4)
HIS 494: U.S.-Mexico Border (3)

Most students live with families who reside in the area surrounding the school, although students may elect to live with a family living outside the immediate area of the school.

COST OF THE PROGRAM

Session 1: $2,400
Session 1 & 2: $3,600

Costs (subject to possible change) include: program fees, tuition for seven credit hours per session, room, one meal per day, round trip transportation between Ensenada and San Diego. Not included: Travel to San Diego, additional meals, local transportation, and expenses.