The University of Pennsylvania ran a four-week Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad (GPA) to South Africa in Summer 2024. Fourteen elementary, secondary and post-secondary educators, administrators, and curriculum specialists were selected to participate.
The project offered rich experiential learning opportunities for participants to explore firsthand the topic of sustainable development in South Africa with a specific focus on interface between history, environmental justice, and social equity for integration into their curriculum back in the United States.
The project was based in Durban in affiliation with Chatsworth Education Center. In complement with classroom lecture seminars, there were educational tours to national historical/cultural sites in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape Provinces where participants experienced South Africa through the uniquely distinct environmental, historical and cultural features of these provinces. Participants used knowledge gained from lecture seminars, educational tours, meetings with government officials and local community members to develop curriculum modules to disseminate nationwide for use at secondary and post-secondary institutions.
The following are the modules the project participants created.
Curriculum Modules
Individual Modules:
Introduction to South African Literature by Kenton Butcher
Biomes of South Africa & the Goals of Sustainability by Frances Cleary
What does it mean to be human? by Margaret Cox
Exploring Strategies and Tactics of Oppression by Gerard Farias
Introduction to UN Sustainable Development Goals: A Freshman Case Study of South Africa by Godlove T. Fonjweng
Women’s Trials, Triumphs, and Impact on South African Culture & History by Cydny A. Neville
Using Artistic Reflection to Inspire Critical Inquiry and Sustainable Solutions in South Africa by Rebecca Portis
The Art of Storytelling by RAsheda Young
Global Student Protests: What makes an effective protest? by Erica Stefanovich
What Langston Hughes Can Teach Us About Ourselves by Maria Zangari
Group Modules:
Identity & the Struggle Against Apartheid
Contributors: Frances Cleary; Amable Viloria; Cydny A. Neville
Contributors: Kenton Butcher, Bucknell University; Margaret Cox, Hampton University; Gerard Farias, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Godlove Fonjweng, Prairie View A&M; Rebecca Portis, Montgomery College/Howard University; Janet Scott, Southeast Community College; RAsheda Young, Rutgers University
Exploring Social and Environmental Justice through history, economy, literature, geology, environmental science, film, observation and reflection
Contributors: Kenton Butcher, Bucknell University; Margaret Cox, Hampton University; Gerard Farias, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Godlove Fonjweng, Prairie View A&M; Rebecca Portis, Montgomery College/Howard University; Janet Scott, Southeast Community College; RAsheda Young, Rutgers University