africa

ETHiOPia: SacrED TraDiTiOnS anD viSual culTurE

Study fascinating visual expressions of spirituality and culture in contemporary Ethiopia, a thriving nation seeking to preserve its heritage. Students will discover the powerful influence and architectural ingenuity of the Ethiopian Orthodox church as they explore the legacy of early kingdoms that date back more than 3,000 years. Based in cosmopolitan addis ababa, students will examine the influences of Ethiopias past on the nations culture and art. Time spent in axum will provide opportunities to explore ancient and current art, religious traditions, and historical monuments from the axumite Kingdom, which ruled much of the area surrounding the red Sea. an educational excursion to the monolithic, rock-hewn churches of lalibela, and a visit to the historic city of Harar, considered by many to be the fourth most holy city in islam, help illustrate Ethiopias rich cultural heritage.
Uganda Kenya Eritrea Yemen Sudan

axum

ETHiOPia

gondar

lalibela harar
Somalia

addis ababa

ETHIOPIA

cOurSEwOrK / cOmPOnEnTS
language and culture: amharic
(AMHA 1000 / 4 credits / 60 class hours)
Emphasisonbeginningspeaking,comprehension,andcontextoflanguagethroughclassroomandfieldinstruction.Languagepractice duringthehomestaysaugmentsformalinstruction.Thiscoursewillincludediscussions ofthehistoricalandpoliticalrolesofAmharic andotherEthiopianlanguages. Islam:historyofHararasanIslamiccenterof learning;weddingmusic;lifeundertheAmirs, theOromo,andtheHarari;tombsofsaints; pilgrimagetoSheikhHussein. Traditional Religion:beliefsandpractices; sacredelementsofnature;coming-of-age traditions;marriage;burialrites;theGada systemoftheOromo. ments;impactoftourismonjewelrydesign; selectionofstoriesforchurchpaintings; relationshipsbetweenpatronsandpainters; magicscrollsandtheiruses;theroleoffoodin ceremony;accesstoeducationinruralEthiopia; thesacredandthesecularincontemporaryvillagelife;thefutureofsubsistenceagriculture insouthernEthiopia;personaladornmentasculturalexpression;womensrolesincelebrations.

Educational Excursions
Theprogramincludeseducationalexcursions alongthehistoricalroutetoLalibela,Axum,and Gondar,showcasingmonumentsEthiopians builtinhonoroftheirleadersandbeliefs.

Sacred Traditions and visual culture Seminar

(AFRS 3000 / 6 credits / 90 class hours)
Aninterdisciplinarycourse,conductedin English,withrequiredreadings.Professors fromAddisAbabaUniversityandpractitioners inthefieldwillleadlecturesanddiscussions, whichgenerallyincludethefollowingunits:

Program Orientation
Academic,cross-cultural,health,safety,andprogramorientationareconductedbytheacademic directorandothercontributorsduringthefirst weekoftheprogram.Materialincludesprogram rationale,organization,andlogistics;attitudes andtoolsforimmersioninanotherculture; academicandpersonalexpectations;evaluation methodsandcriteria.

field Study Seminar

(ANTH 3500 / 2 credits / 30 class hours)
Acourseintheconceptsoflearningacross culturesandfromfieldexperience.Materialincludescross-culturaladaptationandskillsbuilding;appropriatemethodologies;fieldstudyethics;developingcontactsandfindingresources; developingskillsinobservationandinterviewing; gathering,organizing,andcommunicatingdata; maintainingafieldjournal.

History
Archeologicalsites:tombs,palaces,and churches;ancientkingdomsofAbyssinia(a focusonAxumiteperiod);kingsandemperors ofEthiopia;conflictsandconquerors;historicalforeignvisitorsandtheirimpact;Ethiopia duringtheDerg.

Homestay
FourweeksinAddisAbaba,threedaysin Harar,oneweekinthesouth.Otheraccommodationsduringtheprogramincludehostels, guesthouses,orsmallhotels.

Visual Culture and the Arts

Churchpaintings;icons;scribesandmanuscripts;makingandusingparchment;goldandsilversmiths,architectureanddesignof churches;rock-hewnchurches;Hararibaskets andhousedecorations;mosques;graveand tombmarkers;typesofattire/dress;howjewelryiswornandused;handcrosses;musical instrumentsandmekomia.

independent Study Project

(ISPR 3000/ 4 credits / 120 class hours)
ConductedinAddisAbabaor,bypermission, elsewhereinEthiopia.Sampletopicsinclude: religiouseducationandthesocializationof youth;challengestotherestorationofmonu-

Program Evaluation
OralandwrittenpresentationoftheIndependentStudyProject.Finallanguageassessment. Overallprogramsynthesisandassessment.

Prerequisites
None.

program highlights
credits program base language study homestay 16 Addis Ababa Amharic Addis Ababa (4 weeks) Harar (3 days) Southern Ethiopia (1 week) Lalibela, Axum, and Gondar 4 weeks

Religions and Sacred Traditions

Ethiopian Orthodox Church:practicesand beliefs;churchmusic;theKebraNegest:the QueenofSheba,KingSolomon,Menelik, andtheArkoftheCovenant;monasteriesand monks;legendofPresterJohn;textsandstoriesofsaints;churchcalendarandsaintsdays; thetabot;pilgrimages;liturgyofthechurch; Geezasanecclesiasticallanguage.

educational excursions independent study project

email studyabroad@sit.edu | for more information and course syllabi visit www.sit.edu

17