Summary of the Main Academic components of the
Santiago de Chile Global Learning Site

a. Highlights of the Santiago GLS

The Trinity-in-Santiago Global Learning Site in Santiago de Chile offers students an urban context in which to explore five different thematic tracks, each of which entails academic study and an internship experience in Spanish. Students enroll in a core interdisciplinary course designed for Trinity, that introduces them to the history, culture, economy, art, and political system of  Chile.  Students earn three in-residence credits, and take an elective course that they can submit as transfer credit. In total, students can earn four credits. In-residence credit is earned for the interdisciplinary core course, the core course in the chosen track, and an internship related to the track. The five thematic tracks are:  (1) Human Rights   (2) Gender  (3) Ethnicity  (4) Arts & Performance  (5) Government & Politics.   

Students enroll at the Universidad de Chile, the principal research institution in the country. For their elective, students can choose from a broad range of courses in all disciplines as well as from a variety of interdisciplinary offerings.

All courses are conducted in Spanish.  Admission requires that at the time of application students demonstrate an intermediate level of proficiency (equivalent to passing Spanish 202). If necessary, students may seek  further preparation in the language and culture either before departure, during the summer, or even while in Santiago. Students will be interviewed by Trinity-in-Santiago GLS faculty sponsor to determine whether they have the necessary language proficiency. Those students accepted for the Santiago program who require further language training will receive assistance in accessing an appropriate language program to ensure that they become  proficient.

Students will travel for one week each to Buenos Aires and Montevideo for an introduction to the cities, cultures, histories, politics, arts and human rights issues in Argentina and Uruguay. Upon returning to campus, students will be expected to prepare a report or other presentation for the Trinity community. This exercise will enable students to summarize their learning experiences in a more academic setting, to share it publicly for open debate and discussion, and to promote the importance of multicultural experiences within the College generally.

Trinity-in-Santiago is offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters.

 

students live with a Chilean family supervised by an on-site coordinator; students take a core course on Human Rights in the Americas, taught by Universidad de Chile faculty; students are required to take one to two (2) electives from a short list of courses selected from the regular Universidad de Chile course offerings very broadly related to the subject of Human Rights if offered students are required to undertake an internship with a distinguished NGO. The internship will be supervised by the sponsor from the selected NGO, the on-site faculty coordinator from the Universidad de Chile, and will be overseen and graded by the sponsoring Trinity faculty member; in addition to being expected to enroll in a pre-requisite Human Rights or Latin America course prior to departure, students will be required to engage in a series of follow-up exercises in the form of papers, presentations, seminars, and other activities upon their return to Trinity. These events will be organized and overseen by the Office of International Programs.

b. The main curricular elements of the GLS in Santiago are:

One required interdisciplinary introductory core course in Chilean History, culture, economics, art, literature and politics. The core course has a 300-level designation within the Trinity curriculum. Two electives taken at the Universidad de Chile. Level open. An internship/Independent Study Project. Spanish language proficiency (see below) A required course in Human Rights. For examples, see the descriptions of the Human Rights courses prepared by some of the Santiago sponsors, as well as the attached listing of courses from the Web. In addition, Spanish majors are required to have completed Spanish 264 or 265. A required follow-up presentation at Trinity upon return to campus

c. Language Proficiency:

The general approach is that at the time of application students demonstrate an intermediate level of proficiency (equivalent to passing 202). If necessary, students may seek further preparation in the language and culture either before departure, during the summer, or even while in Santiago.

Students will be interviewed by Trinity-in-Santiago GLS faculty to determine how the students can best meet this language proficiency. Those students accepted for the Santiago program who require further language training will receive assistance in accessing an appropriate language program to ensure they meet the required language proficiency.

 

d. GPA Requirement:

Trinity Students who apply to the Santiago program should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a four point scale. Applicants will be interviewed individually by the faculty sponsors of the site to determine their level of proficiency.

e. Preparatory Course:

Applicants to the Santiago program are expected to have enrolled in at least one course relevent to the thematic track of their choice.