Partnerships for Peace in Costa Rica

Info Session Recording (MIIS2024!)

Global Course Overview

A primary goal of the Partnerships for Peace program is to provide a curriculum where cultivating a culture of peace is at the center of discussion. 

The curriculum for the Peace & the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action course will be focused on MIIS’ 3 pillars of peace & security, sustainability, language skills and intercultural communication as well as specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

Fall 2024: Participants will receive an introduction to “peace linguistics” in both target languages (Spanish and English), as well as other preparatory reading and content associated with the immersive-learning experience. 

J-term Experience in Costa Rica: Participants will observe first-hand how different organizations are attending to challenges related to specified SDGs during on-site visits in Costa Rica.  Students will collect in-situ data, conduct interviews, and compile their notes, journal entries for their final deliverable during the spring showcase. Dates: January 8-19, 2025

Spring 2025: Students will collate their observations and discoveries into a final presentation for a Partnerships for Peace showcase for the MIIS community at large. 

Content: Students will research, discuss, and present on sustainable development through the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and SDG Knowledge Platform: (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs).  Attention will be given to specific actions and initiatives that are working on specific SDGs. See the itinerary for SDGs to be covered during our immersive learning experience in Costa Rica.  Students will benefit from direct contact with experts in the field of peace studies and sustainable development.

Who: All MIIS graduate students, alumni, and Middlebury community members are welcome regardless of language level.

Course Credit: 2, 3, 4 credits, pass/fail

• Intercultural Competence (ICC): 2 or 4 credits
• International Policy and Development (IPD): 3 credits
• Spanish: 4 credits (200, 300, 400 levels)
• English for Professional Purposes: 2 or 4 credits

Financial Aid: Students eligible for Federal loans to cover the cost of travel and program fee by request financial aid by contacting miisfinaid@middlebury.edu for more information.

Group Size: There is an 15-person cap for this program. This allows the group to connect more closely with site visit hosts and each other

Key Dates

Info Session Recording (Pass: MIIS2024!)	September 24 (12:15-1:30pm PT)
Application Deadline	October 1
Applicants Notified	October 15
Deposit Due ($500)	October 20
Program Fee Balance ($1,280) Due	December 1
Pre-Departure Session One	Tuesday, November 12 (12-2pm PT) Morse B106
Pre-Departure Session Two	Friday, December 6 (12-2pm PT) McGowan DLC
Deadline to Register Travel/Purchase International Medical Insurance	Monday, December 9
Program Dates	January 8-19, 2025
Presentation to MIIS Community	February TBD

Conflict Transformation Focus

Conflict Transformation Focus

1. Peace & Security:  As a result of taking this course, students will be able to:
   1. Engage in discourse that is peace-centered;
   2. Understand the importance of peace linguistics;
   3. Apply theories of “positive peace” to real-world contexts;
   4. Observe how Costa Rica has prioritized peace as a fundamental principle at the national, regional and international levels; 
   5. Appreciate the correlation between democracy and peace in Costa Rica.

1. Sustainability & Climate Change: As a result of taking this course, students will be able to:
   1. Become familiar with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and see how specific organizations in Costa Rica are addressing specific related challenges;
   2. Observe how centering ecology, conservation, and other policies supporting the environment are contributing to creating more sustainable and resilient communities in Costa Rica;
   3. Demonstrate how Costa Rica has become a global leader in the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development, and eco-tourism.

3. Language & Intercultural Communication: As a result of taking this course, students will be able to:
   1. Increase their ability to communicate in a bilingual context (where both Spanish and English are spoken); 
   2. Increase their proficiency in Spanish if the student has Spanish as the language of study.  (Students with an LOS of English will also benefit from an introduction to Spanish);
   3. Familiarize themselves with key terms (in both Spanish & English) related to peace linguistics, peace studies, and the SDGs;
   4. Develop intercultural communication skills between the two cultures (US and Costa Rica).

Additional Learning Goals

Professional Skills: As a result of taking this course, students will be able to: 

1. Cultivate an understanding of how different organizations (in Costa Rica) are responding to the needs of their constituents;
2. Develop skills to work with multiple stakeholders (other participants, facilitators, and guest lecturers);
3. Develop on site research skills—gathering in situ data, interviews, and observations from site visits and guest speakers. 

Methodology/ Rationale:  We believe it is essential to: 

1. Cultivate a “culture of peace” by shifting the language, tone, and attitude of the conversation.
2. Introduce “positive peace” and other core concepts to infuse optimism in the discourse on human development. 
3. Promote the concept and practice of peaceful co-existence in diverse and inclusive societies. 

Criteria for Participants:

1. Be prepared to participate fully in all aspects of the course;
2. Engage with experts and providers at specific site visits;
3. Approach learning with an open mind; 
4. Be prepared to have the majority of the on-site content presented in Spanish (with interpretation as needed—for lower-level Spanish learners and participants whose second language is English).