Religion, Race, and South African Democracy seeks to increase student awareness and understanding of the significant role that liberal Christian faith-based institutions play in the political life of South Africa . It also seeks to provide students with a broad overview of the challenges confronting religious leaders, lay members, and citizens seeking to eradicate racial and economic inequality. More to the point, this course seeks to increase students’ understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of religion’s relationship to the current political regime.

In the new South Africa, where an evolving democratic political culture seeks legitimacy, faith-based institutions that engage in advocacy on behalf of the poor and powerless, are playing a pivotal role in teaching and preparing lay members to actively participate in the political process. Students will be exposed to historical, theological and political writings as well as behavioral research focusing on justice, reconciliation, economic inequality, race, and national identity. Students will thus gain a deeper insight into the relationship between faith-based institutions and political institutions. Particular attention will be devoted to the South African Council of Churches, and Detroit based churches that have foreign missions in South Africa. This will provide students with an opportunity to compare and contrast South African and American faith-based approaches to human rights, racial equality, and economic justice. Students will also acquire qualitative interviewing skills that will increase their abilities to obtain invaluable information during informal meetings with religious leaders and lay persons.

By visiting museums, historical landmarks, the South African Parliament, South African Council of Churches Parliamentary Office, The Bishop Tutu Peace Center, the University of Cape Town and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, students will be exposed to the rich cultural, educational and historical diversity of the nation. They will gain a deeper appreciation of the challenges facing faith-based institutions working to close the economic gap between the rich and the poor. Finally, field observation, interviewing, and discussion of the readings will increase students’ knowledge of the role and significance of faith-based institutions in the political order in the new democratic South Africa.

June 8-23, 2008 (Lectures before and after program are required)

Tentative Itinerary

$4,010-Cost includes roundtrip airfare, lodging, breakfast daily and medical insurance. Does not include WSU tuition, local transportation, additional meals and personal expenses.

In addition to program cost, students will pay current published fees to WSU for 4-8 credit hours at the appropriate level through the normal tuition payment process. Students with questions regarding the tuition and fee assessment rate may contact Registration and Scheduling at (313) 577-3541 or view: http://www.classschedule.wayne.edu/course_web/schedule/index.cfm.

Dr. Ronald Brown
Department of Political Science
aa4723@wayne.edu

Please note that you are required to pay tuition for 4-8 credit hours at your appropriate rate, payable through the normal tuition payment process. For more information, click here.

Michelle Reaves
College of Engineering
ai4141@wayne.edu
(313)577-4029

The deposit of $500 and all payments are to be made out to Wayne State University. The deposit and all payments can be made by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Students wanting to pay program fees with either a Visa or MasterCard must print out the credit card authorization form and submit it to the office with the appropriate information.

Additionally, you are required to pay tuition for 4-8 credit hours at your appropriate rate which is payable through the normal tuition payment process.

Study Abroad and Global Programs
5155 Gullen Mall
1600 Undergraduate Library
Detroit, MI 48202
studyabroad@wayne.edu

Participants are responsible for all program fees until notification is received by Study Abroad and Global Programs. Refunds are subject to the refund policy as listed below.

The $500 deposit is non-refundable. The Office of Study Abroad and Global Programs guarantees space on the program for participants once they have been accepted and upon receipt of the confirmation deposit. At that point, the Office of Study Abroad and Global Programs incurs non-recoverable costs. Therefore, any participant who cancels at any time after the confirmation deposit has been received will be responsible for the deposit in addition to the following, upon cancellation from the program:

This program is subject to minimum enrollment levels. If these levels are not reached the program will be cancelled. Enrolled participants will then have the option to transfer to another program or receive a full refund.

Margaret Ogg or Amberly Chirolla
Office of Study Abroad and Global Programs
1600 Undergraduate Library
(313) 577-3207
studyabroad@wayne.edu

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