CUSMA (NAFTA 2.0) Field Course: Free Trade, Unfree Labour and Environmental Justice in Continental North America

Instructor: 

 Course Dates:

  • June 3rd – June 28th, 2024

Week 1
June 3-7th in Mexico City (via National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM)

Week 2
June 21 -28th in Toronto (via York University)

 Prerequisites?

  • None
 Open to Non-Majors?

  • Yes

Course Overview

This course introduces students to the practical implications of a continental free trade through immersive experiences in Southern Ontario and Central Mexico. Through a binationally offered field course, students will be introduced to the social relations, political ecology and political economic factors surrounding the implementation of the Canada US Mexico agreement (NAFTA 2.0). The course explores how the agreement is related to, and affects, environmental justice broadly conceived. Thematic topics of interest include food and agriculture; energy, extractives, and infrastructure; migration and labour regimes. Across these examples the course centres upon the overarching themes of gender, financial investment, Indigenous rights, and social movements for racial and environmental justice.

Students taking part will be enrolled at either York University or the National Autonomous University of Mexico. The course is offered over two intensive one week periods based in each of Toronto – at York University, and Mexico City -at the UNAM. The formal course periods will run for 3 hours per day in the case of in-class room experiences and up to 6 hours per day in the case of immersive site visits.

As background materials, students will be assigned texts on the history of the NAFTA agreement available in both English and Spanish translations. Field visit and panel presentations will be organized at each of the institutions related to thematics of the food and agriculture; energy, extractives and infrastructures; migration and labour regimes; gender and human rights; financial investment and Indigenous rights.   

While students would ideally have a working knowledge of both English and Spanish, arrangements will be made to support ‘elbow translation’ in the context of seminar discussions. 

Learn more about Professor Anna Zalik!

Application

Program Fee

  • Includes:
    • Accommodation and breakfast
    • Excursions/Field activities 
  • Not Included:
    • Airfare to and from Mexico
    • Tuition fee (payable to York University)
    • Any personal expenses including meals (except breakfast)
    • guard.me® insurance 

*Subject to change, program fees will depend on the final number of participants 

Deposits and Payment Deadlines

To secure a spot in this course, you'll need to submit a non-refundable deposit of $500 to York International.

PLEASE NOTE: You do not need to come to York International Office. All payments will be conducted online. Fill out the Study Abroad Payment Confirmation form to schedule a virtual appointment. We only accept Visa and Mastercard. No cash or cheques.

  • Deposit (CAD500): January 12th, 2024
  • Final payment deadline: March 15, 2024

Financial Support and Budget Planning

All eligible participants of this course will receive the CAD1000 York International Mobility Award (YIMA) upon completion of the Pre-Departure Training and Travel Risk Requirements. No application is needed. 

Expression of Interest

Open to non-majors by permission of the course director, Professor Jerzy Kowal. Please contact Shirley Lam (yuabroad@yorku.ca) to express your interest. Please note that your spot is only secured after payment of deposit.  

Pre-Departure Training and Risk Management

Attending a Pre-Departure Session is mandatory for all YorkU students participating in the GL/POLS 4400. York International provides pre-departure training to York students who are scheduled to participate in global learning programs (exchange, internships and other short-term programs).

Content covered at Pre-Departure Sessions include:

  1. Travel preparations (research about destination, flight, accommodation arrangements)
  2. Risk Management (waiver, emergency contact card, Registration of Canadians abroad)
  3. guard.me® Insurance
  4. Funding and Finances
  5. Inter-cultural awareness

York Students traveling abroad for international programs are required to purchase guard.me® insurance.To ensure safety and well-being of York students traveling abroad, York University has developed a partnership with guard.me® Insurance. It provides comprehensive insurance coverage and benefits that are in the best interest of the students and the university at-large. Guard.me® covers medical, emergency, evacuation, and 3rd party liability, among others. Please read the guard.me® benefit summary for more information. Students must register directly with guard.me®.

More information on registration will be outlined in the link below.

http://yorkinternational.yorku.ca/go-global/pre-departure-training-and-risk-management/

 

Please continue to check in for more information about Faculty-led Study Abroad 2024.

For further information, please contact yuabroad@yorku.ca