North American Studies

The dawn of the 21st century has been marked by the intensified integration of the global political economy and the regulation of inter-state relations through new international and regional agreements. In Europe, regional integration has been realized through the new transnational institutions of the Europe Union. In contrast, North American integration (and potentially hemispheric integration) has been pursued through trading agreements, first the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (CUAFA, 1988) and, second, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, 1995). Currently, policy makers are negotiating the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA ) for implementation in 2005. These trading agreements have brought rapid and fundamental changes to the politics and societies of Canada, Mexico and the United States. Trade, commerce and economic integration have flourished. However, political, cultural, and educational changes have lagged behind the processes of economic integration.

In order to facilitate dialogue and exchange across national borders, the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States have agreed to sponsor student exchanges among universities in each country. The North American Mobility Program in Higher Education (NAMPHE), a student mobility program, is funded in Canada by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC), in Mexico, by SEP (Secretarian de Educacion Publica), and, in the United States, by FIPSE (Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education). NAMPHE provides fellowships to a select group of students to help defray the costs to travel, study and earn degree credits for a term in another North American country. The fellowship is in the range of $5000 Canadian - $3500 American.

This NAMPHE focuses on Globalization and Governance in North America. It has been designed to draw faculty, universities, and especially students, into a partnership to improve dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among all three countries. The curriculum is designed primarily for students in the social sciences, particularly those in pre-law, public administration, political economy, and women's studies programs.

Six North American universities are participants in this project: two in Canada (the University of Alberta, Edmonton, and Carleton University, Ottawa); two in Mexico (The University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, and ITESO, Instituto Technologico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente, Guadalajara) and; two in the United States (University of Texas, Dallas, and California State University, Northridge). The directors of this program have established a common curriculum on globalization and governance, especially with respect to the advancement of gender equity. Students selected to participate in the program will register and pay tuition at their home institution, select and complete pre-approved courses at their host institution, and be credited for these courses by their home institution. This competitive program is open to senior undergraduate and masters students who have a demonstrated academic interest in studying globalization, governance and equity issues from a continental perspective. English-speaking students wishing to study in Mexico as well as Spanish speaking students wishing to study in Canada or the United States must pass a language proficiency test to be selected for participation.

Follow the links to the left to learn more about the program, application procedures and useful sites introducing the six participating universities as well as North American studies.

The theme of this North American Mobility Program is Globalization and Governance, especially with respect to gender equity issues.

The curriculum has been designed to facilitate a continental dialogue about the multiple social, political, and economic impacts of globalization, the "new" continental politics, especially as it relates to public policy and NAFTA, and new challenges to governance, particularly with respect to gender equity issues, democratization, and social well-being.

As detailed below, each of the participating universities offer courses in the three selected streams: globalization, governance and gender/equity.

Participating students normally will study for one term at a host institution. The normal course load is four: one course selected from each of the three theme streams and one elective, preferably language. Courses successfully completed at the host institution will receive degree credit from the home institution. To review the approved courses at each institution, please follow the links to the left.

This competitive program is open to senior undergraduate and masters students who have a demonstrated academic interest in the study of globalization, governance and equity from a North American perspective. Students must also demonstrate proficiency in the teaching language of the host institution. Students selected also will have a good to excellent academic record, specifically, a B average or better (or equivalent in home institution).

The project directors are currently considering applications for foreign study for the 2002-2003 academic year. Interested students must submit:

a) a brief written essay indicating why she/he wishes to participate in the program, making specific reference to the project's themes - globalization, governance, and gender equity.

b) two reference letters. One from an academic and one personal letter commenting on the applicant's ability to adapt to new and cross-cultural situations, ability to succeed in a different academic environment, and level of maturity.

In order to participate selected students will take and pass the language test expected by the host university.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants to the program must make formal application to their home institution. See Contact information.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

For the Fall term, commencing September 2002 the deadline is February 1, 2002.
Please include this Form with your application. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and fill-out this form. Reader can be downloaded for free from Adobe

Note: You will not be able to Save your information in the pdf form, but you will be able to print it. If you find that your entries do not appear, try changing your "zoom view" this should make your text visible.

Carleton Students: Please download your form from Carleton International

UT, Dallas Students: Please download your form from UT, Dallas-NAMP

CSU-Northridge Students: Please apply online at CSUMentor.

UGMX Students: Please use this form.

Carleton University
Dr. Laura MacDonald, Supervisor
Undergraduate Studies
Department of Political Science
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1S 5B6
Phone: (613) 520-2777
Fax: (613) 520-4064
email:

California State, Northridge
Jane H. Bayes
Director of Institute of Gender, Globalization and Democracy
Professor of Political Science
Political Science Department
California State University, Northridge
Northridge, CA 91330
U.S.A.
tel: 818-677-3488
fax: 818-677-4502
email:

University of Texas at Dallas
TBA
The University of Texas at Dallas
School of Social Sciences, GR3.104
Richardson, TX 75083-0688
Phone: (972) 883-2935
Fax: (972) 883-6234
email: TBA
ITESO
Olga Aikin
ITESO
Departamento de Estudios Sociopoliticos y Juridicos,
Periférico Sur 8585,
Tlaquepaque, jalisco, 45090, México.
telephone: (3)6693434/6693440/6693428
email:
web: Under constructionUniversidad de Guanajuato
Prof. Patricia Begne
School of Law
Universidad de Guanajuato
L. de Retana 5
Guanajuato, Gto. 36000
Mexico
Tel: 524 732 0006 ext. 3092
Fax: 524 732 5051
e-mail:

About North American Studies

Courses