Allan Winkler is Distinguised Professor of History and Director of the Humanities Center at Miami University. His field is recent American history and he has just published a biography of folk singer Peter Seeger. History, contemporary politics and culture are his specialties in East Africa. Allan has led two Kenya programs for Miami students and two Earlham programs, one to Kenya and one to Tanzania

Sara Penhale, Associate Professor of Biology and Science Librarian at Earlham College, will be leading her seventh East Africa program. The first four were located in Kenya and the last two were in Tanzania. Sara’s interests in East Africa include conservation, animal behavior, public health, and women’s issues.

Sara’s and Allan’s personal travels have taken them throughout Africa (Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Namibia, Mali, Senegal, Morocco, and Tunisia). Allan’s experiences abroad also include teaching in the Netherllands, Finland, and Kenya and serving in the Peace Corps in the Philippines.

Kenya and Tanzania possess diverse natural environments and a multiplicity of cultures. While both achieved in-dependence in the early 1960’s, Kenya moved in the direction of capitalism while Tanzania adopted socialism. Profound differences now exist between them economically and politically. These differences will provide a fascinating comparative experience and a deeper understanding of each country.

Throughout the program, students will live and study in an array of settings, such as game reserves, rural Maasai villages, cities, towns, and national parks. Living arrangements will include staying in hotels, camping, and living with families.

Plans are underway for the new itinerary moving between Kenya and Tanzania. Among the sites likely to be chosen are: Usa River Tanzania for Kiswahili language instruction; Lamu Island Kenya for learning about Swahili culture; game parks and private game ranches in both Tanzania (Manyara and Tarangire) and Kenya (Masai Mara); an isolated Masai commu-nity in either Kenya or Tanzania; a small village near Lake Victoria Kenya; Iringa, a medium size town in Tanzania; and Nairobi, a large city and the the capital of Kenya

Students will earn a total of 12 credits for successful completion of the program.

The semester long program will meet the Liberal Education requirement for a thematic sequence.

History, Politics, and Cultures of Kenya and Tanzania 3 credits
In this course, students will examine the historical background of Kenya and Tanzania, particularly in the colonial and post-colonial periods. Students will read and reflect on contemporary newspapers and magazines, and assess the comments of a variety of speakers, in an effort to understand the economic, social, and political problems of Kenya and Tanzania today. A major ethnographic study is a key course component.

Wildlife Behavior and Conservation 3 credits
This course will introduce students to the major ecosystems of Kenya and Tanzania: grassland savannas, mountain woodlands, and coastal systems. Special attention will be paid to the behavior of animals in their natural habitat. Students will consider the relationship between these elements and conservation, focusing on the central question of how land can be managed to benefit local Tanzanian and Kenyan commu-nities and at the same time promote wildlife conservation. Field observations and independent projects will be central activities. Recent projects have included studies of zebra, aca-cia ants, elephants, baboons and dung beetles.

Health and the Environment 3 credits
This course will consider the impact of health issues on families and communities in East Africa of topics will be broad: HIV/AIDS, malaria, family planning, women’s health issues, western versus traditional medicine, and medicinal plants. Students will be expected to develop an ongoing sense of health issues affecting the communities they encounter and what tech-niques of treatment or prevention have been successful.

Kiswahili Language and Culture 3 credits
This course will be an introduction to the language and culture of the Swa-hili, the coastal people of Kenya and Tanzania. Kiswahili is the national and official language of both countries. In Tanzania, Kiswahili has been a central factor in unifying the country since independence, but it has lesser importance and use in Kenya. MS-TCDC near Arusha Tanzania will provide 3 weeks of classroom language instruction. Homestays throughout the program will provide opportunities for students to use and further develop their language skills. Students will learn about the culture and traditions of the Swahili people through lectures, discussions, and a homestay in Lamu, Kenya. The program will have a special unit on Islam, the religion of the Swahili people.

Majors from all disciplines are welcome.

Selection will be conducted by the faculty leaders.

Students accepted to participate in the program are required to participate in orientation sessions during Spring Semester prior to departure. Orientation is designed to prepare the students for the cross-cultural experience and will include readings, films, lectures, and discussion with students who have been to East Africa.

Students and parents will receive a Handbook of important program information. Students should receive 1 semester hour credit for successful completion of the orientation. This credit is dependent upon completion of the semester program.

The program will cost the same as one semester of on-campus charges, tuition, fees, room and board, in 2010-2011. In addition to tuition and fees, students will pay a program fee equivalent to room and board on campus. The program covers all academic and educational costs, and includes required field excursions and other group activities as well as room and board while on the aca-demic portion of the program. A deposit of $500.00 is required after acceptance to the program, which is a part of the total cost.

Additional Costs
Students will need to plan for additional money to cover round-trip air-fare, passport and visas, inoculations; books, and personal expenses such as costs for independent travel period during break.

Students are required to travel together as a group from Europe to East Africa

Allan M. Winkler, 513-529-5132, winkleam@muohio.edu