School of Teacher Education
San Diego State University
Guatemala Study/Teach Abroad Program
General Studies 350
27 March – 6 April 2014
1 Unit
Dr. André J. Branch
Office: BAM 211A
Phone: 315.7035
The College of Education’s conceptual framework focuses on developing effective, evidence-based
practice among candidates for initial certification, refining effective practice among working professionals
pursuing advanced certification and degrees, and identifying effective practice through faculty research.
Vision
The College produces effective professionals, new knowledge, and partnerships with the field of practice
that make a difference in the lives of the clients we serve.
Mission
The College prepares effective professionals (LEARN) for a variety of societal service delivery and
leadership roles across a range of settings including schools, post secondary institutions, social service
agencies, and vocational rehabilitation organizations. The College contributes to the knowledge base in
both educational theory and practice through professional inquiry and scholarship (DISCOVER). The
College engages in strategic partnerships with the field of practice to improve client outcomes, to increase
institutional effectiveness, and to promote social justice (ENGAGE).
Course Introduction
The Guatemala Study Abroad Program is an eleven day service/learning/teaching
event that includes activities in the communities of Guatemala City, Antigua,
Chichicastenango, the Mountain community of Patalup, and Panajachel on Lake
Atitlan. This Central American cross-cultural learning experience provides you an
opportunity to experience the culture of the Guatemalan people. If you are preparing to
teach, The Guatemala Study Abroad Program will help prepare you for teaching in the
culturally diverse schools of the United States. If you want to learn while serving the
indigenous people of Guatemala, the service component of The Guatemala Study
Abroad Program is designed for you. The program is open to all SDSU Students and
satisfies the study abroad requirement of various departments on campus.
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Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course, you will be able to: 1) Apply knowledge and skills
learned in this and other cross-cultural courses, 2) Distinguish aspects of at least three
cultures of the indigenous peoples of Guatemala, 3) Articulate some of the customs and
values that influence the diverse Guatemalan cultures, 4) Design, modify, and execute
lesson plans as appropriate for Guatemalan students in grades 6-9, 5) Compare and
contrast three examples of Guatemalan history, customs, and traditions as compared to
one’s own ethnic history, customs, and traditions.
Contacting Me
I will be delighted to meet with you to help you succeed in this course. Please contact
me using one of the methods below.
Office Hours:
By appointment
Office:
EBA 211A (USA)
In Guatemala, I will always be just a few steps away from
wherever you are.
Telephone:
(619) 656-7835 (H)-USA; (619) 315.7035 (C)
Guatemala - 4802-5980
E-mail:
abranch@mail.sdsu.edu
Assignments
Journals
While you are in Guatemala, you will be responsible for keeping a detailed journal of
your experiences, impressions, questions and observations. The journal is meant to
provide a means for you to process the information and experiences you are having
while in the field. You want to include what your impressions and what you have
learned from activities, from field visits, our hosts, discussions, cultural sites, etc. Care
should be placed in accurately and thoroughly documenting your thoughts, feelings,
and observations. You are encouraged to carry a small notebook with you at all times
while out on cultural excursions and teaching in the school. Jot down any ideas,
thoughts, feelings, and perceptions that you may have. Take notes of the Guatemalan
history, traditions, and customs that you learn so that you may contrast these with
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your own ethnic history, customs, and traditions. At night, you will be responsible for
expanding these thoughts in your journal. You should strive to write 2 pages a day.
Your instructor will read and respond to your journal. You will be graded on the care
and thoughtfulness you have placed in expressing ideas related to your study/learning
experiences. Due 14 April 2014.
Lesson Plans
Collaborating with your assigned partner, you will create lesson plans for the grade you
have chosen in the weeks prior to departing for Guatemala. After we have arrived in
Guatemala, and have received our final instructions regarding lesson plans from the
teachers at Patalup Primary School, you and your partner will revise these plans with
the assistance of the other team members. Team teaching with your partner, you will
execute these plans with Guatemalan students in the grades you have chosen. Due 24
March 2014.
Reflection of Learning Experiences and Ethnic Identity Development
Part one of this final paper will be a general reflection of learning experiences related to
the Guatemala Study/Teach Abroad Program. Part two will be a comparison contrast
of three examples of Guatemalan history, customs, and traditions as compared to your
own ethnic history, customs, and traditions (here you will use the journal notes you
made of the Guatemalan history, customs, and traditions). Due 21 April 2013.
Mandatory Orientation – 27 February 2014 – 1:00-3:15 P. M.
SDSU requires all students who participate in international programs to attend an
orientation session. At this session students will be provided with detailed information
regarding studying abroad with the Guatemala Alternative Spring Break Program.
Orientation topics include, but are not limited to program structure, costs, itinerary,
insurance, safety, security, health concerns, cultural adjustment.
Supplies Packing Session
All participants will meet as a group to pack the school supplies that we take to the
children in Guatemala. This session usually takes place within a few days before we
depart for Guatemala. (Date and time to be determined at the orientation meeting)
Program Sessions
Students are required to attend learning activities meetings in February and March in
preparation for the Study/Teach Abroad program. (Dates, times, and locations to be
determined at the orientation meeting)
Grading
There are a total of 100 points designed into this course. Grading will be based on the
quality of the completed following assignments/requirements.
Journal
25 pts.
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Lesson Plans
40 pts.
Reflection of Learning Experiences
20 pts.
Attendance and Participation at the
Mandatory Orientation session,
Supplies Packing Session, and
Excursions while in Guatemala
15 pts.
Grades for this course are Credit/No Credit. To earn credit, a student must accrue at
aleast 76 points.
Class Policies
Participation
You are expected to be present and on time for the Information Session, Mandatory
Orientation, and the Supplies Packing Session. You are expected to be on time for each
of scheduled departures for excursions and other activities.
Students With Disabilities
Students with learning disabilities who would also like accommodations because of
those disabilities must disclose the disability privately to the instructor and request
accommodations during the first three weeks of class.
Assignments
Students may turn in assignments early, but not late. In the rare event that assignments
are accepted late, one point for each day the assignment is late will be subtracted from
the grade.
Detailed Program Itinerary
Thursday 27 March
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Depart San Diego International Airport at 11:43 A. M.
Arrive La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City 9:29 P. M.
Arrive Nova Hostel, Guatemala City 10:45 P.M.
Friday 28 March
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Breakfast at Nova Hostel
Cultural Excursion – Museo de los Niños
Cultural Excursion – Mira Flores Museum
Depart Guatemala City for Antigua in late A. M.
Lunch at La Fonda or La Condessa
Check-in at Hotel
Weaving and textiles presentation at Casa Del Arte (1 P. M.)
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Afternoon tour of Antigua
Dinner
Evening debriefing at hotel
Saturday 29 March
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Breakfast at hotel restaurant
A. M. tour of ancient ruins Antigua
Lunch
Afternoon on your own in Antigua
Evening debriefing at hotel
Sunday 30 March
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Breakfast at hotel restaurant
8AM Departure for Chichicastenango
Lunch on the road
10AM check-in at the Santo Tomás hotel
Cultural Excursion – Market Day Chichicastenango
Dinner at Santo Tomás
Evening debriefing at the Santo Tomás hotel
Monday – Thursday 31 March – 3 April
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Breakfast at the Santo Tomás hotel
AM departure to Patalup Primary School
Co-teaching classroom instruction
Lunch
Students assist with classroom instruction
Afternoon departure for Chichicastenango
Dinner
Cultural Excursion – Home visits with indigenous families
Evening debriefing at the Santo Tomás hotel
Friday 4 April
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Breakfast at the Santo Tomás hotel
Cultural Excursion – Tour of experimental school and medical facility
Cultural Excursion – Widows Weaving Cooperative - Camancha
Lunch at Camancha
Depart for Lake Attitlan and Panajachel
P. M. arrival and check-in at Cacinque Inn
Cultural Excursion – Bamboo Lake Community by boat
Dinner at the Cacique Inn
Evening debriefing at Cacique Inn
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Saturday 5 April
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Breakfast at Cacique Hotel
Cultural Excursion – Lake Atitlan communities
Afternoon departure for Antigua
P. M. arrival and check-in at hotel
Dinner at the restaurant of your choice - Antigua
Evening debriefing at hotel
Sunday 6 April
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Breakfast at hotel restaurant 9:00 A. M.
Depart for Guatemala City International Airport 10 A. M.
Lunch at the La Aurora International Airport
Depart for United States 2:12 P. M.
Arrive San Diego International Airport 10:48 P. M.