In May 2014, the department will offer Econ 3900, a study abroad program that includes a service-learning component. This will be the first study abroad program offered by the Department of Economics. The course, developed by senior lecturer Dr. Darcy Hartman, will be an opportunity for our students to experience field-based learning and immersion in a different culture. Lecture topics will include an examination of immigration data through recent decades, determinants of immigration, opportunity costs for various types of immigrants, reasons for immigrating, effects on the receiving location (looking at the labor perspective and the costs to government), effects on the source location (flow of money, loss of labor and human capital, household effects), economic growth, illegal immigration, and immigration policies. Students will have the opportunity to meet with various community, industry and government officials to discuss issues related to immigration. The service-learning component of the program will take place in Tijuana, Mexico at Esperanza International, where our students will work alongside marginalized families to build sustainable housing.
Entrance at border crossing into Mexico
View of Tijuana
Volunteers helping to build sustainable housing
Border fence extending into the ocean
