This interdisciplinary course explores the geography, environments, histories, cultures, and politics of South Africa from the 16th through the 21st centuries. Issues include pre-colonial civilizations, European colonialism, institutionalized racism, industrialization and its implications for labor and class, political movements, and post-colonial dynamics in an emerging economy. Special attention will be paid to the intersection of recent anthropogenic climate change and South Africa’s economy and society, and the recent entrepreneurial efforts to mitigate environmental impacts through a range of sustainability efforts.

Through various readings, films, discussions, and written assignments, students will gain the skill sets necessary for a one week-long study abroad experience in South Africa. Students will collaborate with students in the Zarb School of Business in consultant teams to learn about and assist local, emerging entrepreneurs to develop practical solutions to business programs. Students will experience the cultural context in which these entrepreneurs live and work and become acquainted with the distinct challenges that these entrepreneurs face in real time. Students will maintain a journal where they will critically reflect on their classroom experience and their observations of the entrepreneurial journey for a start-up in an emerging economy and their personal contributions to the project.

 

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