Decolonizing Ecuador Plurinationalism Pachamama Term 3 Study Abroad

Decolonizing Ecuador: Plurinationalism & Pachamama Term 3 Study Abroad Course in Ecuador with Dr. Lauren Shaw (Spanish & Hispanic Studies) and Dr. Doc Billingsley (Anthropology. Sociology)

Term 3 Class in Ecuador Info Session Logistics Academics • Where to / from? • When? • How much? • SPA + ANT credit • NWP • Books & Evaluation Where will we go? What will we do? • Cuenca & nearby visits • Quito & San Clemente • Home stay • Immersive language classes • Activities What makes this class unique? • Beyond tourism – learning to live in a new country • Making connections for a lifetime

What are the details? (Logistics) • The Ecuador course meets from April 20 to May 12 • We will not meet on campus before or after the course • We depart from and return to JFK (traveling to/from Quito) • The estimated cost per student (including airfare) is $4, 500 • This may decrease if we have high enrollment numbers, so invite your undecided friends! • We will meet a few times during Term II to talk about plans and discuss some background reading.

What are the details? (Academics) • The Ecuador course provides 6 credits: • 3 credits of Anthropology (ANT) • 3 credits of Spanish (SPA) • (The Spanish credit may be 1000, 2000, or 3000 level) • It also meets the NWP (Non-Western Perspectives) pillar requirement

What will we learn? Spanish Language • Immersive language classes for all levels of Spanish • During the mornings, you will work in level-appropriate Spanish groups at the Centro de Estudios Interamericanos in Cuenca • You will have unique opportunities to practice your new language skills all around you in Ecuador! Anthropology / Ethnohistory • Hands-on experience of learning the culture and history of Ecuador • During the afternoons, we will have cultural activities and guest lectures, learning about various aspects of Ecuador • You will get to experience ethnographic research and learn how to better understand Ecuador from an insider’s point of view

What are themes? Pacha-who now? • Ecuador is an especially interesting setting for this language-andculture class because: • Ecuador has adopted a unique approach to environmentalism within the political / legal system • Pachamama is the traditional Andean deity associated with Mother Earth, fertility, and nature, symbolized by the mountains • The 2008 Ecuadoran Constitution recognizes the rights of Pachamama and calls for living in harmony with nature… • …what does that actually look like?

What are themes? Pluri-whatsit? • The same constitution recognized that Ecuador is a state made up of several nations—mestizo as well as indigenous peoples. • How does a plurinational state work? • Ecuadoran culture is a fusion / tension / mash-up of indigenous American + European cultures, with plenty of African and Asian influences as well. • Gastronomic Bonus: Ecuadorian food reflects these diverse influences, as well.

What are the details? (Materials) • We will use these books in class meetings, language classes, and informational sessions during Term II: • The Ecuador Reader: • An anthology of short texts from historical sources, poetry, literature, and political speeches • Interesting, wide-ranging, and excellent for analyzing primary sources

What are the details? (Materials) • Field Notes: A Guided Journal for Doing Anthropology (Luis Vivanco) • This is a workbook with a step-by-step guide for carrying out an ethnographic study of another culture • The best way to learn is by doing—so we will dive in and use our time in Ecuador to mindfully and willfully learn about another culture

What are the details? (Materials) • For Spanish 1000 -level students: • Easy Spanish Step-By-Step (Barbara Bregstein) • Designed for absolute beginners • Learn grammar and basic conversational skills (+immersive experience in Ecuador)

What are the details? (Materials) • For Spanish 2000 -level students: • Leyendas Ecuatorianas (Hernan Rodriguez Castelo) • A collection of legends and folktales from Ecuador • Discuss these stories with your Ecuadorian language teachers and host families! • Explore the indigenous and European influences in these stories

What are the details? (Materials) • For Spanish 3000 -level students: • Huasipungo (Jorge Icaza) • A classic Ecuadorian protest novel, depicting the exploitation of Ecuador’s indigenous population at the hands of elite landowners • Often compared to Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath • Considered an important book, almost required reading for educated Ecuadorians

What are the details? (Materials) • Daily newspapers • What are the topics of concern for people in Cuenca? • What special events are going on in the city? • Practice your Spanish, learn more about current events and local history—discuss las noticias with your teachers and hosts

What are the details? (Evaluation) • Participation (25%): • Show up to class and activities • Participate to the best of your ability • Interact with classmates and Ecuadorian hosts Field Notes workbook • Final Paper (25%): • Reflect on your experiences, draw on your fieldnote journal • Summarize and synthesize your thoughts about some aspect of Ecuadorian culture • Due at end of Term III • Fieldnote journal (25%): • Daily notes on your activities, thoughts, reactions to Ecuadorian • Final Exam (25%): culture • Based on level-appropriate • Reactions to reading assignments Spanish classes • Responses to prompts from the • Due at end of time in Cuenca

Interested in a Green New Deal? • Come to Ecuador to see how one society has approached the global environmental crisis through radical political reforms • The 2008 constitution granted legal rights to Pachamama, a traditional Andean deity often translated as Mother Earth • How does this play out in daily life for Ecuadorians?

Interested in medicinal chemistry? • Come to Ecuador to learn about ethnobotany—the traditional knowledge of plants and their healing potential • Through guest lectures and visits to field sites, we will learn more about the traditional uses of plants to treat illness and flavor foods • (e. g. , Where did Coca-Cola get its name? )

Interested in animals? El Cajas National Park is home to the world’s largest flying bird (the Andean Condor) and the giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas)! It’s also home to several amphibians, rodents, birds, and shrubs that are endemic to the area.

Quito • Quitsato • Otavalo Where will we go? Cajas National Park San Clemente Cuenca Gualaceo and Chordeleg Saraguro Ingapirca

Quito • We fly into and out of Quito, Ecuador’s capital (and 2 nd largest city)

Quito • From Quito, we will tour the monuments that Ecuador has created to celebrate its position (and namesake) along the equator

Quito • We’ll also check out the Otavalo handicrafts market

San Clemente Traditional village north of Quito, surrounded by ecological reserves

San Clemente Traditional village north of Quito, surrounded by ecological reserves

San Clemente Traditional village north of Quito, surrounded by ecological reserves

Gualaceo and Chordeleg Small towns on the outskirts of Cuenca, known for distinctive handicrafts

Ingapirca An Incan imperial-style city built along the Incan Road that stretched to Cuzco

Saraguro • The indigenous community of Saraguro, south of Cuenca, was originally from Lake Titicaca, 3, 000 kilometers to the south • They were resettled by the Inca • Five centuries on, they maintain a distinctive way of life and form of Quechua • Ecotourism has become an important part of their economic system

Cajas National Park Just minutes from Cuenca – Andean tundra – Home to Andean condors and giant hummingbirds!

Santa Ana de los Cuatro Ríos de Cuenca • Ecuador’s 3 rd largest city (but far smaller than Guayaquil or Quito) • Occupied since at least 8, 060 BC—making it one of the oldest confirmed sites of human settlement in the hemisphere!

Cuenca speaks for itself (Social Media) • https: //map. snapchat. com/@-2. 897361, 79. 006369, 15. 08 z • https: //www. instagram. com/explore/tags /cuencaecuador/

What kinds of activities will we participate in? • Afternoons and weekends will include lots of exposure to different facets of Ecuadorian culture. • We’ll have dancing classes! • Learn to cook Ecuadorian dishes • Witness a traditional Andean ceremonial offering • Museums of music, indigenous peoples, and humanity • Día de Trabajo (May 1): Take part in a traditional Ecuadorian holiday with your host families, or with the class

What will a typical day in Cuenca look like? • 7 am: Wake up, get ready, have breakfast with host family

What will a typical day in Cuenca look like? • 7 am: Wake up, get ready, have breakfast with host family • 8 am: Start Spanish class at the Centro

What will a typical day in Cuenca look like? • 7 am: Wake up, get ready, have breakfast with host family • 8 am: Start Spanish class at the Centro • 12 pm: Break for lunch and free time

What will a typical day in Cuenca look like? • 7 am: Wake up, get ready, have breakfast with host family • 8 am: Start Spanish class at the Centro • 12 pm: Break for lunch and free time • 1 pm: Group outing—tour of a city market & lecture

What will a typical day in Cuenca look like? • 7 am: Wake up, get ready, have breakfast with host family • 8 am: Start Spanish class at the Centro • 12 pm: Break for lunch and free time • 1 pm: Group outing—tour of a city market & lecture • 4 pm: Free time to study, explore, drink coffee

What will a typical day in Cuenca look like? • 7 am: Wake up, get ready, have breakfast with host family • 8 am: Start Spanish class at the Centro • 12 pm: Break for lunch and free time • 1 pm: Group outing—tour of a city market & lecture • 4 pm: Free time to study, explore, drink coffee • 6 pm: Home for dinner with host family

How is this term 3 class unique? • Our goal in Ecuador is to go beyond the tourist experience and learn more about local culture and ways of life • We will spend most of our time in the city of Cuenca, with visits to nearby villages, museums, parks, and archaeological sites • Want to return to Ecuador after graduation? You will have the opportunity to make connections that could last far beyond the spring semester. Return to teach English and live in Cuenca!

How is this term 3 class unique? • We will live with host families in Cuenca! • This is the key to the immersive experience—you will get to practice Spanish while also learning more about Ecuadorian life from the inside point of view

Term III travel abroad course: Decolonizing Ecuador: Plurinationalism and Pachamama Conflicts between the indigenous and Western cultures of Ecuador as portrayed in literature, folk & popular culture, and social movements. Struggle to respect the constitutional rights of Pachamama (Mother Earth) while surviving in a global economy with negative impacts on indigenous peoples and their land. Students will move beyond the textbook and experience Ecuador first-hand through oneon-one Spanish classes, homestays with local families, and daily excursions and activities that reveal daily life for ordinary Ecuadorians in the 21 st century. We will focus special attention on the contrasts between life and livelihoods in urban areas (Quito and Cuenca) compared to the Andean highland region, and the impact of global extractive industries on local nature preserves. April 20—May 12 (23 days) Cuenca, Ecuador and sites beyond 3 credits SPA, 3 credits ANT Fulfills NWP requirement $4, 500 includes airfare, insurance, food, etc. Opportunities to establish long-term relationships with Ecuadorian institutions (e. g. , return and work after graduation) • Check out http: //term 3 course. com for more information and a sign-up form. • Contact Dr. Billingsley (dbillingsley) or Dr. Shaw (lshaw) with questions. • • •