Drexel Spring Break in Mexico:
Queer Resilience, Activism, and Liberation in Literature and the Arts
Students in this intensive course abroad will develop and enhance their skills in rhetorical and textual analysis, creative writing, and cultural studies through the lens of writers from Mexico City. During their week in Mexico City, students will have various opportunities to engage with past and present queer literature and writers who are very much responsible for developing a culture of acceptance and community for queer Mexicans today. During a tour of cultural heritage sites, student will develop an appreciation for the ways in which colonization and conquest impacted the trajectory of queer acceptance. Students will also meet with advocacy organizations and faculty from local universities to discuss recent trends in Mexican queer literature and the arts and its impact on queer rights and justice. Students will interrogate the impact of machismo in Mexico from the perspective of these writers and activists. The course will culminate in an opportunity for students to write and read their own work inspired by these writers.
Learning Objectives:
- Students will build upon writing and reflective skills through writing assignments.
- Students will analyze the role of writers in resilience, activism, and liberation for the queer community in Mexico City
- Students will use textual analysis in great works of Mexican literature and apply these approaches to the course theme of resilience, activism, and liberation
- Students will appreciate arts-integrated community engagement and advocacy
- Students will complete and present their own final project, applying course learnings to their own creative or analytical writings.
Credit/Registration: Students will be registered for ENGL 325 for 3 credits as a part of their spring term course load. Students must leave space for these 3 credits in their credit load, or will otherwise be billed for exceeding the 20 credit term maximum.
Instructor: Adam L. Zahn, MFA, MS
Email: alz26@drexel.edu
Arrival Date: March 23
Departure Date: March 29
*Students may extend their travel independently before or after program dates.
Pre- Trip Class Meeting 1: Discussion of Course; Discussion of Los Contemporáneos Pre-Departure
Pre-Trip Class Meeting 2: Pre-Departure Orientation
Tentative Itinerary
March 23: Departure from Philadelphia; Group dinner and Orientation in country
March 24: Walking Tour of Mexico City - From Aztec to Present; Evening discussion with local author/poet on Mexico City literary scene and Reading
March 25: Walking Tour of Mexico City 2 - Queer Underground; Visit to University to discuss the state of literary trends and culture in Mexico City. Evening arts and entertainment event (LGBTQ+ art gallery)
March 26: Walking Tour 3 - Cuernavaca Dash which includes the Robert Brady Museum and Juan Soriano Museum plus a nice walk around 16th century Cuernavaca, Visit Somos Voces, famed LGBTQ+ bookstore and meeting with owner and Todo Mejora Mexico, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization
March 27: Opportunity for independent site visits per students' focus area
March 28: Final project field work during the day; Student readings and presentations in the evening
March 29: Return from Mexico City to Philadelphia
Post-Country
Week 2 Spring: Final project due (Students will have several options for a final project - creative writing,
journalism/profile, textual analysis, ethnography, etc) that must include reference to LGBTQ+ community
and liberation. Hosted event for student readings on campus to other students and faculty
Due 11/15/2024 - $500 Advance Payment
Due 1/15/2025 - $995 Final Payment
*All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.
Included in Program Fee:
- 6 nights accommodation
- All entrance fees, tours
- 2 group dinners
- Local transit
- On Call Insurance
Not Included in Program Fee:
- Round trip airfare
- Airport transit
- Airport transfer
- Most meals
- Passport
ICA Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students’ eligible for additional financial aid. Students may also be eligible to apply for Drexel's
ICA Scholarships.
- Visa: US citizens do not need a visa to participate in this program, but students of other nationalities should confirm entry requirements.
- A recommended flight itinerary will be provided. Students are responsible for booking their own airfare
