Program Overview
Urban and Rural Development in Yucatán, Mexico is an intensive seven-week program focusing on field-based research. The program is designed for advanced undegraduate and perhaps MA students in several disciplines (geography, anthropoogy, planning, political science, etc.). Classroom activities will be conducted in English; however intermediate to advanced Spanish is recommended for program participants. During the first two weeks, students will attend daily lectures and take part in excursions and other field-based activities designed to expose them to the reality of life in urban and rural areas of southern Mexico. Initially, students will focus on the culture, history, environment and economy of southern Mexico. Subsequently, students will turn their attention to the theory and reality of sustainable development using Yucatán as a living laboratory. During this first part of the program discussions will be led by WMU and University of Yucatán faculty. During Weeks Three to Six, students will carry out field research under the close supervision of WMU and local faculty mentors. In general, students will work in small groups or individually to collect and analyze data. During the final week of the program, students will complete data analysis and write up their results as a 10 to 15-page research paper. Subsequently, students will present their results formally at a public forum sponsored by WMU, the University of Yucatán and Department of Urban Development of the city of Mérida.

Location
The program will be based in Mérida, Mexico, a city of about 800,000 inhabitants located in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula. Due to its location and history, Mérida offers a unique living laboratory in which to gain hands-on experience studying the problems associated with urban and rural development in Latin America. The program will be housed in downtown Mérida at the School of Anthropology of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Students will also participate in several excursions and field trips throughout southern Mexico during their seven-week stay.

Housing
Student participants will be housed with local families during their stay in Mérida. Students may opt to live on their own or with another WMU student. Lodging also includes meals.

Cost
The WMU program fee is $2400. This fee includes application fees, insurance, field trips, local transportation, tuition (3 credits), lodging costs and meals. The program fee does not include airfare.

For more information, contact Dr. James Biles at WMU Geography.

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James J Biles
Asst Professor
Dept of Geography
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

[mailto:james.biles@wmich.edu]