Women's Health and Spirituality: a Cross-Cultural Exploration-Belize

Course Syllabus

Women's Health and Spirituality: A Cross-Cultural Exploration-Belize

HTLH 145/WST 145

approved for 3 Diversity (D-2) credits

Winter Semester 2016-2017

December 31, 2016 – January 14, 2017 (3 pre & post travel meetings)

https://sites.google.com/site/belizehealthspirituality/home

Faculty: Jeanne Kaczka-Valliere, Ph.D.

phone: 802-399-4626;

TA: TBA

Placement: Undergraduate, 3 Credits

Prerequisites: Application completion & permission of the instructor

Costs: In addition to the usual tuition for a 3 credit course, the program fee is $1981. Additional costs include: passport, immunizations, international air travel & insurance, international health Insurance, personal spending money

Class size: Maximum 11

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course will examine women's physical, mental and spiritual health with a cross-cultural perspective. Students will explore their personal journey addressing developmental, psychological, societal, and cultural aspects of their own lives in the US and those of young women in Belize. This course will look at important aspects of health, spirituality, gender socialization, discrimination, self esteem, and address ways to understand and improve the quality of life for young women. We will focus primarily on issues that affect young reproductive age women. We are not going to Belize to “HELP” we are going to LEARN.

Student will spend a minimum of 10-hrs observing in schools, clinics &/or religious organizations, talking directly with local inhabitants and leaders about the issues of women’s health behaviors from political, cultural, traditional, & spiritual perspectives.

Logistics

During the first week, we are staying a Martha’s Guest House in San Ignacio. There will be field trips to Medicinal/Botanical gardens/jungle trails, Mayan Ruins, Mennonite village, hospitals, schools & social service organization(s), church services (around 3) and other events. Class topics during this period include domestic violence, sexual violence and mental health. We will be riding in a van over some windy roads (some of which are dirt), taking a short ferry, and walking a great deal! All classes will be held at Martha’s Guest House unless otherwise specified.

The last 7 days, we will stay in Dangriga. Here we will be focusing on the following topics: HIV/AIDS, Garifuna Culture, Health & Healing, alcohol and its effects on family units, the influence of Christianity on Belizean culture, meditation (possibly on the beach & snorkeling), share experiences, debrief, and explore. We will be flying in a small plane for about 20 minutes to return to the Belize International airport for the return to the USA.

Course Objectives

· To explore the physical, mental and spiritual health of young women in a cultural context;

· To understand the impact of gender socialization, cultural pressures and discrimination on female development and health issues;

· To meet some amazing people in Belize who are changing the culture towards equality for women;

· To develop greater awareness and understanding about one's personal journey and the impact of family and society;

· To explore the complex bio/psycho/social/spiritual impact of health, illness, and health care facing woman daily, comparing and contrasting young women's health and influence of spirituality and other factors between USA and Belize.

Teaching Strategies

This course will utilize discussion & lecture formats for pre-travel and in country classes. During the pre-travel meetings, we will focus on preparing for the course and travel expectations including an overview of safety, immunizations, and course requirements. Prior to travel, students will also review Belizean culture and women’s health issues. While in Belize, students will be exposed to a variety of traditional and experiential learning formats including class lectures, guest speakers, reflective journaling, and first-hand experiences (for example, we will learn about Mayan culture by visiting ruins and talking to a Mayan healer).

Course Readings & Resources

Required Reading:

· Dick Lutz. (2005) Belize Reefs, Rain Forest, & Mayan Ruins. Salem, Oregon: DIMI Press. (read chapters 4-7)

· Arvigo, Rosita. (1994) Sastun: My Apprenticeship with a Maya Healer. San Francisco: Harper.

Choose 1 following:

· Henderson. Peta & Ann Bryn Houghton. (1998). Rising Up: Life Stories of Belizean Women. Sister Vision.

· Kristof, Nicholas & Sheryl WuDunn. (2009). Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. New York: Vintage Books.

· McClaurin, Irma. (1996). Women of Belize: Gender and Change in Central America. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.

Online Resources:

· http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/wha/154494.htm

· http://www.nationalwomenscommissionbz.org/

· http://www.humandevelopment.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Sexual-Violence-handbook.pdf

· file:///C:/Users/Peace%20of%20Vermont/Desktop/UVM%20Belize/2016-17/Belize%20Health%20Sector%20Strategic%20Plan%202014-2024-April%202014.pdf

· file:///C:/Users/Peace%20of%20Vermont/Desktop/UVM%20Belize/2016-17/SitAn_Belize_July_2011.pdf

Supplemental Readings:

· Arvigo, Rosita. (2015). The Oracle of IX Chel. Tucson, AZ: Story Bridge Books.

· Balick, Michael & Rosita Arvigo. (2015). Messages from the Gods: A Guide to the Useful Plants of Belize. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

· Macpherson, Anne. (2007). From Colony to Nation: Women Activists and the Gendering of Politics in Belize, 1912-1982. University of Nebraska.

· Twigg, Alan. (2006). Understanding Belize: A Historical Guide. Harbor Publishing.

Supplemental materials & articles (Belize History& cultures, religions, Decade for Women) will be available on our website or provided prior to classes.

Belize Information:

· http://caribbean.unfpa.org/public/Home/Countries/Belize

· http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/belize

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Class Participation & Cultural Observations:

Students are expected to attend all pre-travel, travel and post-travel meetings and classes. Participation includes attending church services, presentations, group meals, and other events as they arise. A post-travel presentation/project will take place on campus within 2-3 weeks of return to UVM. There will also be one post-course wrap-up session/dinner (date TBA).

This is not a course for bystanders! I expect student to participate by asking relevant questions, interjecting knowledge from previous experiences, courses, and assigned readings as well as talking with Belizeans they meet about issues relevant to this course. I encourage you to check out newspapers, TV, pamphlets in stores, etc. The success of this two-week course is based upon full, active, and positive participation by all members. We will have a final get-together at UVM (date TBA) after return. I expect positive participation while taking this course: this includes pre-travel, in-country and post-travel meetings and classes. Positive participation will be part of the final grade. Attendance and participation are evaluated.

Women learn much about themselves and their roles and place in every society through your personal observations & interactions, as well as, various sources of media: newspapers, internet, television, radio, magazines, books and movies (locally, nationally and internationally). Students will be expected to become observant about coverage and portrayals of women cross-culturally (focusing on the US, Belize & the Caribbean) and bring note-worthy items of interest to share with the class.

Journal: Each student will be asked to keep a daily REFLECTIVE journal (minimum of 2 pages typed or equivalent hand written) to record their thoughts, reactions, feelings, reflections, questions and concerns. The journal will serve as a guide for the student to understand their personal and academic progress in synthesizing the readings, discussions, examining your biases & assumptions, cross-cultural experiences and reflections. Journals will be graded for content and process, and reviewed for attention and care given to personal learning and exploration of the diverse topics. A minimum of two typed pages each day are required. The instructors may offer a choice of questions to help you focus your journal entries. Journals will be handed in at least every 2-3 days for review while in Belize.

Final Paper: Each student will select or be assigned to one of the course topics from the syllabus. Using the students’ experiences, research, discussions & at least 2 examples of different forms of media (newspaper, TV, pamphlets, etc.) will write a 15-20 page paper (text) with minimum of 4 bibliographies and 3 references exploring the topic in depth. MLA or APA style (If you are not very familiar with these 2 methods look them up!). Your paper will include:

· 8.5 x11 in. paper

· Times New Roman font

· 1inch margins all around

· An abstract (see APA style)

Due February 4th, 2017

Notes on the final paper: In your paper, include similarities and differences between the USA & the Belizean/Caribbean cultural experience; how this information has informed your life/practice; and, what new questions this research and experience has raised or revealed for you. Conclusions should be approximately 1 page of the paper. Poems, songs & pictures may be used, but will not be counted within the length of the paper.

Possible Topic Selections:

· Progress in Belize on Women’s Health & Welfare since 1986

· Adolescent Women’s Health education &care (ed. on pregnancy, birth control, STI’s, abortion, Immunizations, etc.)

· Women’s Health care (pregnancy/prenatal care, breast feeding, infant care, Pap smear, breast exam/mammography, STI treatment, etc.)

· Prostitution/sex trafficking

· Domestic Violence/Interpersonal Violence/Sexual Violence

· Mental Health (depression, anxiety, eating disorders) in women

· Alcoholism – its effects on women, children & families

· Mayan health beliefs & practices (compare to Native American)

· Garifuna health beliefs & practices

· Mennonite health beliefs & practices

· Development of Women’s Support Groups & Social/Advocacy Services

· History of the Catholic & other Christian Churches in Belize

· HIV/AIDS (educations treatment & prevention) -- 3% of pop, 1in 10 between 14-44; 15-24 youth highest rate

· Biography of 3 or more of the presenters we will meet in Belize

Other topics may be selected with permission of the instructor.

Additional Notes:

Our TA will coordinate a class presentation to (Global & Health & Wellness Villages, Woman’s center, ALANA) or a final project (ex. Fund raiser) -- TBA. TA will coordinate our website where info on the course & updates. We can also share our pictures & stories on the website.

Grading:

Final grade will be determined on the following point system:

Journals 20 points

Final Paper/Presentation & Cultural Observations 50 points

Participation 30 points

TOTAL 100 points

COURSE SCHEDULE

2 Pre-travel meetings (dates TBA): will include

· Overview of course, goals & expectations, and requirements

· Practical information (what to pack, emergency information, etc.)

· Reminders: review on-line information regarding Belize-CDC travel advisories. All requirements from CE, Immunizations (Flu, Tetanus, etc.) & Meds (Rx), International health & repatriation insurance

· Overview of Belizean Culture & Women’s Health

Belize -- Itinerary and Schedule:

Most class time (approximately 4-6 hrs/day) will be in the morning and evenings except where otherwise indicated.

December 31 - January 7: San Ignacio

January 7 - 14: Dangriga

Exact class dates, speakers & excursions are still be set. They will be announced later this fall.