West Virginia University and the University of Havana announce a three credit course, Economics of Cuba, to be offered during Spring, 2004. The course will be taught by Professor Bill Trumbull in Morgantown and by faculty of the University of Havana. Participants will spend ten days in Cuba during the Spring Break. 

Cuba today is arguably the most fascinating place on Earth. Certainly the economics is, as Cuba desperately hangs on to socialism while trying to be a player in an otherwise capitalist world. Equally fascinating, though, is its history, especially its long and tortured relationship with the United States. Its culture is a blend ofSpain and Africa. The ancient religion of the Yoruba people survives today in Cuba as the Santeria religion, its many gods masked as Roman Catholic saints to escape the notice of slavemasters. The city of Havana is an architectural treasure with buildings ranging from seventeenth century Spanish colonial through modern. Though crumbling, the city is still very, very beautiful. And, of course, Cuba is a tropical paradise.

The course will be a regular Spring semester offering and will appear in the schedule of courses as ECON 452. Students must also register for HIST 242  (Latin America: Reform and Revolution).  In addition to normal course registration, students must also register with the Office of International Programs, which will coordinate travel. Classes will be held before the trip; however, the number of times the class meets will be reduced to reflect 30 contact hours of instruction that will be credited for the trip during Spring Break. The fee, covering travel, insurance, lodging, most meals, classes, and field trips in Cuba is tentatively $2,300, depending on airline charges and the number of students. 

The prerequisite for the course is Principles of Economics (ECON 201/202).  Those who do not have the prerequisite may still participate but will register for ECON 293 instead of ECON 452.  Related courses to consider taking in the spring are ECON 454 (Comparative Economic Systems) and POLS 355 (Governments of Latin America). 

For more information, please contact Professor Trumbull at 293-7860 or email him at william.trumbull@mail.wvu.edu. The Office of International Programs can be reached at 293-6955. 
 

To find out more about this course, and about Cuba, explore these links: