Estimated Cost : Generous scholarships offered by the Center on Race and Social Problems. See More Information Below!
The University of Pittsburgh's Center on Race & Social Problems and School of Social Work are once again pleased to offer the Cuban Social Policy Issues program for graduate students.
Cuban Social Policy Issues is a Center on Race and Social Prob-lems study abroad program for graduate students in the School of Social Work. The objectives of this program are to carry out first-hand observation of social issues and policy in Cuba, enhance understanding of the ways in which Cuba formulates and implements policies aimed at contemporary social issues, and learn about alternative policies, programs, and services that might be useful in the U.S.
A one-credit Center on Race and Social Problems study abroad course, Cuban Social Policy Issues, will be offered to graduate students in the School of Social Work for the spring term. The course will focus on several different fields, such as education, public health, gender concerns, social security (i.e., safety net), and social work. Students will meet in Pittsburgh four times before traveling to Cuba. At these meetings students will discuss a book on Cuba and hear lectures by Cuba experts. Early in the course each student will choose a social issue of interest and will then gather information on the topic throughout the course. After re-turning from Cuba, each student will write a research paper on the social issue in Cuba, how it is addressed through policies, pro-grams, and organizations, and possible lessons for the U.S.
Students will leave for Havana, Cuba, at the beginning of the spring break recess, remain there for the week, and return before classes resume at the University of Pittsburgh. The visit will consist of lectures by and meetings with key officials and social service providers as well as field trips that offer opportunities to observe social conditions and services.
Generous scholarships offered by the Center on Race and Social Problems cover all but a small portion of the program price. Only 10 students will be accepted to this highly selective program.
A one-credit Center on Race and Social Problems study abroad course, Cuban Social Policy Issues, will be offered to graduate students in the School of Social Work for the spring term. The course will focus on several different fields, such as education, public health, gender concerns, social security (i.e., safety net), and social work. Students will meet in Pittsburgh four times before traveling to Cuba. At these meetings students will discuss a book on Cuba and hear lectures by Cuba experts. Early in the course each student will choose a social issue of interest and will then gather information on the topic throughout the course. After re-turning from Cuba, each student will write a research paper on the social issue in Cuba, how it is addressed through policies, programs, and organizations, and possible lessons for the U.S.
Dr. Larry E. Davis is the Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, where he is the Donald M. Henderson Professor and also the Director of the Center on Race & Social Problems. Dr. Davis came to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2001 from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., where he was a professor of social work and psychology and held the E. Desmond Lee Chair in Ethnic and Racial Diversity.
Dr. Valire Copeland is Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the associate director of the Public Health Social Work Training Program, and faculty affiliate in the Center for Minority Health at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health. She also co-directs the Center for Minority Health’s Cultural Competency, Health Literacy, and Participatory Research Core. She is Co-Director of the Faculty Diversity Seminar, Office of the Provost & Senior Vice Chancellor.
The University of Pittsburgh established the Center on Race & Social Problems (CRSP) in 2002 to help lead America further along the path to social justice by conduction race-related research, mentoring emerging scholars, and disseminating race-related research findings and scholarship. CRSP is multidisciplinary in its approach and multiracial in its focus and was the first race-related research center to be house in a school of social work.
Through the generosity of the Center on Race and Social Problems, students who are accepted to the program and complete the required pre-departure meetings (two Saturdays before departure, dates TBA by application deadline) will receive a full scholarship for the cost of the program. Please see "Inclusions and Exlcusions" to the right to see additional costs.
You must plan to bring cash for all expenses incurred in Cuba. The use of ATMs, credit cards, and any other form of payment is not permitted.
This program is open to graduate students in the school of Social Work who have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Undergraduate students interested in applying should contact Penny Miller.