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JMU Summer in Ghana

Summer 2008: June 8 to July 6 (tentative dates)

Program Location

Ghana is the first country in the sub-Saharan part of the continent to receive political independence from British colonial rule and, in terms of location, it is situated at the center of the globe where the Equator and Meridian intersect. The summers are therefore not too hot (85 degrees average), with some rain but mostly sunshine, and the people are friendly. Ghana has rich histories—representing relations among local kingdoms as well as relations with the various European commercial companies that traveled the coast of the continent from the 15th century onward. As part of the program activities, students visit several of these local cultural and historic sites at Kumase, Cape Coast and Elmina.

Ghana is located in western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo. Ghana has a tropical climate. Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has twice the per capita output of most other countries in west Africa. Ghana's marvelous beaches, ancient fortresses from slave trading days, and unique culture make it a popular destination for international travel.

The University of Ghana, Legon, an accredited institution, will host the program. The University was established in 1948 as the University College of the Gold Coast, an affiliate college of the University of London. Following Ghana's independence in 1957, the University was reorganized as the University of Ghana and in 1961 began awarding its own degrees. The University is located on a park-like campus in Legon, approximately nine miles from the city center. The University has a student population of about 5,000 students, 80 percent of whom live on campus. Many of the University's buildings and its grounds are being renovated as the country's economic situation improves. The University's outstanding faculty and distinguished alumni have earned it considerable national and international prestige. The University also has a long history of enrolling foreign students, U.S. students in particular.

Ghana Map

Academic Program

The JMU Summer in Ghana Program is a broad-based inter-departmental supported experience. All students in the program attend the same lectures and engage in the same program activities. Over 18 University of Ghana faculty members provide specifically designed presentations ranging from topics on traditional political structures to discussions on women and economic developments in Africa. Specially invited discussants are also brought to the hotel to lead conversations with students. In the past, our invited guests have included directors of local NGOs and former government officials with direct knowledge of policy issues. Our local travels equally provide rich learning environments — from museum visitations to material culture studies at craft sites, to eco-walks, to historic heritage (Slave Castle) sites. In all, the Ghana Summer program allows students to have a practical view of Africa in the most objective way!

Students will spend about 2 weeks in Accra (capital of Ghana). There are also travels to the following locations: Akosombo to visit the Volta Dam; Ho, from where we will make several ecological trips; the Asante Regional capital of Kumase, from where we will visit several cultural and craft sites; and Cape Coast and Elmina to visit historic Slave trade era castles and also experience a canopy walk at the Kakum National Forest.

The JMU Summer in Ghana program lasts four weeks and allows students to take two courses (6 credit hours). Most courses are taught primarily in English. The typical class size is 10-15 students and will consist only of those students participating in the program. Prior to the beginning of academic classes, students participate in a three-day orientation that will enhance the independent movement of the students while at the host institution and in Accra.

The first three days of the program are dedicated to an intensive orientation. This orientation is followed by three weeks of in-class academic activities supervised by lecturers from the host institution and the on-site coordinator, Dr. David Owusu-Ansah, JMU Professor of African History. Students have free weekends to explore the city with some organized sight-seeing included. For the final week of the program, students will travel to historic and cultural sites throughout the country, such as Elmina and the Cape Coast Castles, the historic Asante capital of Kumase, the Aburi Botanical Gardens, and traditional textile and carving villages. Students participate in common learning experiences, but can select 6 credit hours from this list:

Tentative course offerings:

3 credits International Business (Special Topics IBUS 498G)
3 credits Religion (Special Topics REL 490)
9 credits available in History (Intro to African History HIST 263; Public History HIST 392; Travel Study HIST 391; Modern Africa HIST 470/670)
3 credits Women's Studies (Special Topics WMST 495)
3 credits Geography (Special Topics: GEOG 300)
3 credits Anthropology (ANTH 391: Studies Abroad)
3 credits Sociology (SOC 391: Studies Abroad)
3 credits English Literature (ENG 430: Contemporary Lit)
3 credits Health Science (Special Topics HTH 390 or HTH 490)
3 credits Political Science (Special Topics POSC 3361C)
3 credits Art (Art in General Culture GART 200)
3 credits Art History (African Art and Culture in the Humanities ARTH 210; Travel Studies ARTH 320; African Art History ARTH 412)
3 credits Theater (Special Topics THEA 303)
3 credits Psychology (Special Topics PSYC 200)
3 credits General Education/Liberal Studies (GHUM 251)
3 credits Communication Study Abroad Seminar (SCOM 395)

Accommodations

Students will reside in hotels in Ghana. Breakfasts, dinners and some group meals will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

For More Information

For more information on the Summer in Ghana program, or if you would like to request copies of past participants' evaluations of the program (or speak with a past participant, etc.), please contact:

Dr. David Owusu-Ansah (Director)
Professor of History
Tel: 540-568-6743
owusuadx@jmu.edu
or
Dr. Lamont King (Associate Director)
Department of History
kingld@jmu.edu
Tel: 540-568-4168

Also see:

U.S. Embassy in Ghana: http://accra.usembassy.gov/
Ghanaian Embassy in the U.S.: http://www.ghana-embassy.org/

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