Department of Sociology & Crime, Law and Justice

Study in Ghana: See the World

Fall 2008 PSU study abroad program at the University of Ghana at Legon

Why Ghana? Attempts to understand the African Diasporic experience in America have begun in West Africa where the trans-Atlantic slave trade is a significant part of the history. Ghana is English speaking (unlike other West African countries where French is spoken). Ghana’s political stability (one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa which can boast prolonged and democratic stability, with four consecutive successful democratic elections, including a peaceful change of government in 2000), and a healthy economic climate make Ghana an ideal African site for a study abroad program. Many of the slave castles and trading posts of the past are located here and have been preserved to ensure the story of the past continues to be told. Ghana also has historical significance as the first black African country to achieve independence, in 1957. W. E. B. DuBois became a naturalized citizen of Ghana, lived, died, and was buried in Ghana. Ghana is also internationally known as home of the Ashanti kingdom, one of West Africa’s storied traditional empires; the Akosombo Dam which spawned what was at one time the largest man-made lake in the world; Kakum National Park, which sports a canopy walkway suspended 100 feet above the ground that presents a birds-eye view of the rich biodiversity of the tropical rainforest; the Mole Game Reserve, a wildlife park set on 1300 square miles of land; Aburi Botanical Gardens and Mampong Herbal Research Center; among other sites. Ghana, widely known as the land of gold (and kente) recently celebrated its Golden Jubilee on March 6, 2007.

Penn State’s Population Research Institute (PRI) has been collaborating with the University of Ghana’s Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) since 2005. Professor Dodoo has been based at the University of Ghana for the last two years leading the collaborative effort to rebuild the population center there. This PSU presence has facilitated the research and educational experiences for a number of PSU faculty and students over the last two years. In the 18-month period between June 2006 and December 2007, 24 PSU researchers and students were at the University of Ghana's population center, with four of them making multiple trips. During the 2006/2007 Winter break, a dozen students from an EMSC 470W course studied in Ghana for three weeks and in the Fall 2007 semester, several PSU graduate students were in residence.

The University of Ghana is the premier institution in the country and has a rich array of offerings from the Institute of African Studies (the Ghana Dance Ensemble, the leading cultural dance group in the country, is the resident dance company of the Institute) to the Medical School. With a current student population of about 28,482 (around 21,000 on the main campus at Legon), the university has 78 undergraduate and 25 graduate programs in various fields in the arts, humanities, social science, business, physical and biological sciences, medicine, dentistry, allied health sciences, agriculture, engineering sciences and law. Its library and internet facilities will provide many opportunities for research and study. The university has established study-abroad programs with many American universities, including the University of California system, the SUNY system, Indiana University, Swarthmore College, and Tulane University, to name a few. In addition to the course taught by Professor Dodoo who will lead the PSU program, students will be able to choose an additional four courses from the university’s vast offerings. (Shown above left, a dorm at the University of Ghana.)

The Program

Liberal Arts Research Professor Francis Dodoo (duf2@psu.edu) of the Penn State Department of Sociology will be in Ghana with the students. You will take one course on research methods for African societies from Prof. Dodoo and four other courses of your choice at the University of Ghana with local students. You can choose from a wide array of courses at the University of Ghana, and have the credits count towards degree requirements. Students can use their regular financial aid for this program

Organized trips will give participants a chance to see local historical sites, be a part of traditional cultural festivities, see other parts of Ghana, and even visit a neighboring French-speaking country

Program costs for education abroad vary depending upon the program and location. Scholarships are often available to help defer the costs of studying abroad. Enrichment funds from the College of the Liberal Arts are also available for students. If you're interested in these funds, go to this web site for more information in the application form: http://www.la.psu.edu/CLA-LAUS/scholarships_aid.shtml.

If you have questions about studying abroad, contact the department advisers, Dr. Sylvia Neely (sxn4@psu.edu), the College of Liberal Arts Education Abroad Coordinator, or the Education Abroad Office for more information.