Courses
Kiswahili language
Instructors: University of Dar es Salaam faculty
Required, 4 semester credits
Early acquisition of language skills is critically important for students becoming acclimated to a culture so different from their own. Students therefore begin Intensive Kiswahili shortly after arriving in Dar es Salaam. Taught by professors from the Kiswahili Department, this language course features intensive classroom study (four hours per day) for the first four weeks, plus homework and occasional field trips. In the second month, students continue to meet regularly to improve their conversational, grammar and vocabulary skills as they learn the fundamentals of Tanzania's national language.
Human Evolution
Instructor: Dr. Audax Mabulla (Archaeology Unit, University of Dar es Salaam)
Required, 4 semester credits
This course will be taught by archaeology faculty at the University of Dar es Salaam. It will cover the basic principles of evolution, hominid development, and the particular evidence of human evolution in Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli. The course begins at the University of Dar es Salaam, continues with field trips in the Northern Region of Tanzania, and concludes with exams and papers in the final weeks of the program.
Ecology of the Maasai Ecosystem
Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Kabigumila (Department of Zoology, University of Dar es Salaam)
Required, 4 semester credits
Click here to see a course syllabus
This course, taught by zoology faculty at the University of Dar es Salaam, examines the fundamental elements of ecology, drawing its examples from Tanzanian ecosystems, especially those of the Serengeti Plain and Ngorongoro Crater.
Research Methods & Field Project
Instructor: ACM Program Director
Required, 4 semester credits
Click here to see a course syllabus
In Dar es Salaam, the Methods Course covers research methods and project preparation, including development and creation of a project proposal. Students will also receive general information about contemporary Tanzanian society and culture.
In the field, students conduct individual projects in human ecology, biology, paleoanthropology, archaeology, zoology or sociocultural anthropology. Topics depend on student interest and faculty expertise. In some cases, students work within the existing projects of Tanzanian or visiting experts. Upon their return to Dar es Salaam, students analyze their data, write final reports, give public presentations, and create museum displays or posters for local distribution. The photo album has pictures from the field sites and of wildlife in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.