an unforgettable experienceSenegal and The Gambia: Traditions, Glob-alization, and Tourism in West Africa is a five-week program designed to provide students with anintroduction to West African cultures and traditions.The program explores the growing centrality oftourism—particularly “cultural and heritage tourism”—as an increasingly significant sector of the global econ-omy. Students are introduced to West Africa’s mostimportant ethnic groups (including the Wolof,Mandinka, and Fulani), as they explore questions re-lated to the politics and aesthetics of constructing dif-ference in globalized tourism. The program alsoexamines the role of corporations, nation-states, non-governmental agencies, and social movements inshaping cultural and heritage tourism in West Africa.

While in Senegal, students will visit Gorée Island andits Maison des Esclaves (slave house), now a majortourist attraction. Gorée is a poignant reminder of theregion’s role as the center of the West African slavetrade to the Americas. Students will also visit the Petite

an innovative programCôte, mostly known for its beautiful beaches, andSaint-Louis, the capital of the French colony of Sene-gal located 320 km north of Dakar. In The Gambia, stu-dents will visit the Abuko Nature Reserve and thevillage of Juffureh, which was identified by Alex Haleyas the place of origin of his ancestors. Students willalso visit James Island and the ruins of Fort James,from where slaves were shipped to the Americas. Inaddition, students will engage in ethnographic work inKololi Beach near Banjul. Saint-Louis and Gorée Islandin Senegal, and James Island in The Gambia, are UN-ESCO World Heritage Sites.

AADS has organized this program in collaboration withthe University of the Gambia (UTG) in Banjul and theUniversité Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) in Dakar. Withthe exception of pre-departure lectures to be held atFIU, all classes will be held in the UTG’s main campusand various UCAD sites, including the Musée d’ArtAfricain Thierry Monod. At the end of the program, stu-dents will have earned 3-6 credits.

why senegal and the gambia?West Africa, and particularly what is often called

Senegambia, is one of the most attractive destinations

for tourists interested in Sub-Saharan Africa. With pic-

turesque beaches, interesting museums, and a vibrant

cultural community, the Senegambian region provides

the ideal setting for those who want to observe and

study the impact of globalization and the tourism indus-

try on West Africa.

Visiting these two countries also provides the opportu-

nity to observe the differential impact of past French

and British colonial rule on Senegal and The Gambia,

respectively. Punctuated by poignant emblems of the

slave-trade, Senegal and The Gambia are populated

by the same ethnic groups and share similar traditions

and languages, including Wolof, the most important

African language spoken in the region. Students will

have the opportunity to see how these two countries

assimilate the past, while attempting to keep pace with

the forces of global society.

African & African Diaspora StudiesAfrican & African Diaspora Studies (AADS) is an integral part of the School of

International and Public Affairs at Florida International University. AADS is one

of the leading programs in the United States for the study of the peoples of

Sub-Saharan Africa and their experiences, as well as the communities of the

African diaspora in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The program

features a robust interdisciplinary curriculum, cutting-edge research agendas,

and active outreach programs. Its core and affiliated faculty comprise a distinct

group of globally-oriented scholars with specializations that range from the hu-

manities and social sciences to environmental studies, law and social justice,

health sciences, education, and international business. AADS academic offer-

ings include undergraduate and graduate certificate programs that provide stu-

dents with an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the global, economic,

cultural, and historical experiences of people of African descent. AADS also

offers interdisciplinary, graduate level training through its Master of Arts Degree

Program. Students also have the opportunity to combine the MA with a Ph.D.

in International Relations or a Ph.D. in Global and Sociocultural Studies.

Senegal and The Gambia: Traditions, Globalization, andTourism in West Africa is a collaborative, interdisciplinary project organ-

ized by AADS in partnership with the University of The Gambia, Banjul, and

the Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal. The program is subject to

change.

African & African Diaspora StudiesSchool of International and Public Affairs

Florida International University

11200 SW 8th Street, LC 304

Miami, Florida 33199

305-348-6860 | africana@fiu.edu

http://africana.fiu.edu

School of International and Public AffairsThe School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) brings together many of

FIU’s internationally oriented disciplines to provide cutting-edge research, first-

rate teaching, and innovative training necessary for the globalized world of the

21st century. SIPA includes four signature departments: Politics and Interna-

tional Relations, Global and Sociocultural Studies, Public Administration, and

Criminal Justice. Additionally, the School houses many of FIU’s international

centers, institutes, and programs, including African & African Diaspora Studies.

An integral part of the College of Arts and Sciences, SIPA offers a number of

degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as

several undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. The School also sup-

ports a variety of community outreach programs, study abroad opportunities,

and numerous lecture series, including the annual Eric E. Williams Memorial

Lecture, the annual Chris Gray Memorial Lecture, and the prestigious Ruth K.

and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series. For more information about

SIPA, go to http://international.fiu.edu.

College of Arts and SciencesAs the heart of a leading public research university, the College of Arts and Sci-

ences at FIU plays a vital role in the intellectual, cultural and civic life of local,

national, and international communities. The College provides an educational

foundation that prepares FIU students to be successful and engaged citizens

in a global society. The College generates extensive scholarship that yields new

knowledge, shapes how we teach and learn, and contributes to a more com-

plete understanding of the world. For more information about the College of

Arts and Sciences, go to http://cas.fiu.edu.