Media plug.. and from the left coast as well.

Many thanks to Andrea for the plug on her radio show this morning.

If you're up early on Tuesday mornings ...
http://www.deepfriedandsanctified.org

Here's our program schedule:

http://pages.towson.edu/wsmith/CIEE%20schedule%20Program%20Updates.htm

Pre-departure Preparation: three Argentine Films

Because Argentina has a notable film industry (see lecture on Wednesday afternoon, June 11) and to help me learn more about the its culture, for the past few weeks I watched three Argentine films. Fuller descriptions can be found at www.imdb.com

The Official Story (1985). A wealthy woman is curious about the origins of her adopted daughter. In the quest to find answers she learns some unpleasant things about her country. Some scenes (I believe authentic) of the "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo".

Nine Queens (2000). A rather light-heartened heist film. Moderately intriguing plots twists and double crosses. Most valuable as a view of city life and the streets of Buenos Aires.

La Ciénaga (2001). [English: The Swamp]. Three things to note about this extraordinary film:

• This film is filled with tension, but not in the way most mainstream U.S. films can be (chase scenes, loud soundtracks, fast editing). As far as real action goes, this film has very little. Therefore it's an interesting of example of what many people might consider as a "typical" foreign movie: slow, obscure, boring. Still, if you give it a chance it really pulls you in.
  
• Water plays a crucial symbolic role in the film: the dirty pool at the vacation home, the river where the children play, the brother-sister shower scene. (nothing overly sexual, but still the subtext is there), the conspicuously framed glass of water near the end of the film.
  
• The racism (toward indigenous peoples, or "Indians") exhibited by the vacationing bourgeois family that is passed off in such a matter-of-fact manner is is some of the most hateful speech I've ever witnessed in a movie. This depiction must say something about the state of class and race issues in Argentine society.
  

Welcome

For about three weeks I’ll be traveling through Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. (Plus after South America I’ll be at a conference in Finland, so the first half of the summer will be very busy travel-wise. Not sure if I’ll keep this online record going during Finland, we’ll see.)

During my travels I’ll be writing, taking pictures and video (with my five year old digital camera) and sharing them here. The blog phenomenon is a new one for me so I appreciate your patience as I figure out how to make it relevant and interesting.

First, I must acknowledge this trip is made possible by a grant from Towson University’s Office of the Provost and the Towson University Foundation. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity.

This program is part of a series of International Faculty Development Seminars offered by the Council for International Education Exchange. An overview of this program can be found at
http://www.ciee.org/IFDS/seminars/chile_argentina.aspx

My interest in the program centers on three learning areas:

Human Rights. Chile and Argentina both experienced systemic and large-scale human rights abuses. In the Chile these events took place primarily in the 1970s; in Argentina they occurred in the 1980s. Even though I was a young adult during both periods, I admit I know little beyond the basic headlines. I’m anxious to learn more about the context and events in both countries. Hopefully a better understanding of this history (grim as it may be) will provide an ability to avoid its reoccurrence.

As a business ethics professor I am particularly interested in how multinational corporations may have profited, or at least enabled, such abuses. There may be lessons to be learned from the recent Chilean and Argentinean experiences that can be applied to current human rights challenges (e.g. Myanmar, Nigeria)

Trade Policy and Economic Integration. Chile and Argentina appear to be on the threshold of attaining economic development on par with the United States, Europe and Japan. Argentina, along with Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay is a member of South America’s “common market”, MERCOSUR. Chile is an associate member. There are political and economic motives to strengthening MERCOSUR, but also obstacles as well.

Cultural Knowledge and Exeperience. I have no problem admitting, I am interested in far more than the formal scholarly elements of this program. This is a new part of the world for me and I’m anxious to soak up as much as I can. Friends have told me that the people, the architecture, the pace of life and the stunning backdrop of the Andes all make Santiago a great city. Also I have read many times that Buenos Aires with its exciting cultural and arts scene feels more European than South American. Plus I’m looking forward to sampling what I hear are the best steaks in the world (along with a bottle of Malbec wine). The CIEE program includes some more culturally-focused elements, including a tour of Pablo Neruda’s home (the famous Chilean poet) and presentations such as “Soccer and Masculinity in Argentina"). Plus there’s a visit to a tango salon with lessons (though I don’t promise to post that video).

I’m extremely excited about the trip. I welcome your comments and questions along the way.