Dear Members of Venezuela: Building Economic and Social Justice
In less than a month we will begin our work together. Our class meets for the first time on
Tuesday, September 30th. Our class meetings will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with one Spanish-language section scheduled on Thursday. Rooms and times are as follows:
Tuesday 9:30-11:30 Presentation/Lecture/Film Library 1540
Tuesday 12:30-2:30 Seminar Sem 2, A-2105, A-3105
Tuesday 3-5 Advanced/Intermediate Spanish Sem 2, A-2105
Tuesday 6-8 Advanced Beginning Spanish Sem 2, A-3105
Wednesday 9-1 Workshop (Photography…) Sem 2, A-1107
Thursday 6-8 Advanced Beginning Spanish Sem 2, A-2105
Friday 9:30-11:30 Presentation/Lecture/Film Sem 2, D-1107
Friday 12:30-2:30 Seminar Sem 2, A-2107, A-3107
Friday 3-5 Advanced/Intermediate Spanish Sem 2, A-2105
Spanish classes are taught by David Phillips, email: phillipd@evergreen.edu. tel: 867-6508. On the first day of class David will evaluate your Spanish skills and assign you to one of two Spanish sections: Advanced Beginning or Advanced/Intermediate. The evaluation is 3-8pm in Seminar 2, A-2107. Everyone must be there promptly at 3 and stay until David has finished his work with you.
Here is our reading list for the quarter (in order):
Eduardo Galeano, Open Veins of Latin America
Richard Gott, Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution
Greg Wilpert, Changing Venezuela by Taking Power
Myles Horton and Paulo Friere, We Make the Road by Walking
Greg Grandin, Empire’s Workshop
Robin Hahnel, Economic Justice and Democracy
Vijay Prashad and Teo Ballavé, Dispatches from Latin America
There will also be articles and short readings to supplement the main texts.
For students going to Venezuela there are 2 additional texts to read over December break:
Eva Gollinger, Bush vs. Chavez
Charlie Hardy, Cowboy in Caracas
Please have the first book, Eduardo Galeano’s Open Veins of Latin America, read in its
entirety for our first meeting. Bring the book—and your notes on the reading—to class.
Program Expectations: This is a demanding class with a lot of substantive, exciting material
to cover. Every one of us has a great deal to learn—and something valuable to teach. The
structure of learning communities requires responsible participation from everyone. We are
also preparing for a full winter quarter in Venezuela—a quarter that has required intensive
organization, and lots of support from our Venezuelan collaborators. It’s important that we
hold ourselves to a high standard—as individuals and as a group.
Within the program we expect everyone to:
-Fulfill all commitments—to the group, your student colleagues and your faculty.
-Attend all classes, unless excused.
-Be prompt. Lateness is not acceptable.
-Turn in all work promptly.
-Ensure that your work is the highest possible quality.
-Demonstrate academic honesty and integrity.
-Be willing to grapple with new ideas and experiences.
-Show respect for all members of the learning community.
While these are firm expectations for all of us, they are especially important for those
hoping to go to Venezuela in winter. In order to go to Venezuela, you must fulfill all
program expectations and receive full credit in fall quarter. You must also be able to
demonstrate that you are ready for Intermediate Level Spanish by the end of fall quarter.
Winter travel costs: The cost of winter quarter travel was budgeted at $3600. Venezuela is
experiencing over 20% annual inflation, which means the cost of living is rising quickly.
Costs are rising in the U.S. too, especially airfare. We anticipate that fees for winter quarter travel will be $3700—slightly more than anticipated. A deposit of $150 will be due on
November 12.
Alternatives to Venezuela travel: We have worked with our colleagues, Tom Womeldorf and Diego Acosta, to create an alternative for students who are not going to Venezuela. Their program,“Cultural Crossings: Spain and the Americas” will take new students in winter quarter and will give first preference to students from the Venezuela program who are in good standing.
“Cultural Crossings” is a two-quarter interdisciplinary program with a strong emphasis on
Spanish. There is also an option to rejoin the Venezuela program in spring to work on project
development and publication.
Program Aide position: We are looking for a program aide: in fall, this means maintaining a
program website, arranging publicity and logistical details for speakers, and assisting with
weekly organizational work. This is a 3-quarter position, 10 hours per week, Work Study
preferred. Please contact Pete or Anne if you are interested.
Please contact us if you have any questions. We are looking forward to working together.
Anne Fischel Peter Bohmer
fischela@evergreen.edu bohmerp@evergreen.edu
(360) 867-6416 (360) 867-6431