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Sydney is an excellent study abroad location to learn about sustainability. You’ll explore contemporary issues such as climate change, air quality, water use, waste management, energy consumption, and building resilience in our cities while gaining an understanding of the complex cultural, economic, and political factors that influence environmental policymaking.
Classes will be taught through a combination of classroom learning and field studies, including an exploration of Aboriginal culture and heritage at Sydney Botanic Gardens; an examination of the human relationship with nature, animals, and wilderness with a trip to Taronga Zoo; and a visit to sustainability campaigner Michael Mobbs’ off-grid 19th century terrace house in the inner city.
Experience
live
learn
The curriculum includes People, Place and Culture: Environmental Debates in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific; Resilient Cities; plus additional courses of your choice from the Global Cities curriculum.
intern
CAPA program fees are comprehensive and include tuition, housing, excursions, My Global City events and activities, 24/7 emergency support, insurance, and more!
Earn 12-18 credits per semester (courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted; internships are 3-6 credits). Credits are issued by the University of Minnesota.
You can opt to live in a shared apartment or a homestay (with your own room and two meals a day), all within commuting distance to the CAPA center.
A local transit pass is provided for the duration of the program.
Enjoy a full-day excursion to the dazzling Blue Mountains, which includes a visit to Featherdale National Park where you can get up close and personal with kangaroos and koalas, and an incredible dinner and overnight stay at the Taronga Zoo. Social events include an arrival reception, a mid-term dinner, and a farewell ceremony.
Participate in a part-time internship opportunity, earn 3-6 credits, and gain valuable skills.
As part of the Sydney Welcome Week, the start of your program includes a coastal walk from the famous Bondi Beach to Coogee, an evening visit to the Sydney Observatory to view the starry night sky, trivia at a local city pub to learn all about the neighborhood and the nation, and an Aboriginal Cultural Workshop at the harborside suburb of Barrangaroo. Throughout the rest of your program, self-guided events will be offered each week.
CAPA provides comprehensive support services for students to utilize during their time in Sydney. The team is available throughout the duration of the program to assist and support students 24/7 with any emergency situations. Students will also have access to the Guardian study abroad safety app which includes emergency assistance and other support resources.
As a student in our program, you’ll receive our medical, travel, and accident insurance.
CAPA is committed to the health and wellness of our students while they are studying abroad in Sydney. We maintain a comprehensive health and safety plan to ensure a safe and productive learning experience, and provide a variety of health and wellness tools and resources.
The curriculum consists of two courses: People, Place and Culture: Environmental Debates in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific; and Resilient Cities; plus an optional internship placement and accompanying Global Internship Course and additional courses of your choice from the Global Cities curriculum:
This course will introduce the impact of globalization on Sydney. Students will explore Sydney's development, from early Indigenous connections to Sydney as tribal country, the establishment of a colonial outpost of the British Empire, through to the multicultural metropolis it is today; examine how colonization, migration, economic modernization, and globalization have affected the city and its inhabitants; develop an understanding of changing dynamics and identities of communities within Sydney; and analyze forces that have shaped Sydney’s relationship with Asia and the rest of the world.
SDNY URBS 3345
This course will examine the rich history of Australian cinema and its attempt to describe a uniquely Australian identity. Students will develop an understanding of the historical context of Australian cinema, from modes of production to distribution; investigate the notion of an Australian identity as it is expressed in some of the most significant films in the Australian tradition; compare and contrast Australian and US films; and consider the extent to which Australian films have reflected or determined Australian values
SDNY FILM 2211
This course will examine the government and politics of Australia and Australian engagement in the Asia-Pacific region. Students will analyze Australia’s similarities with and differences from the North American democratic model; explore Australia's substantial and abiding interests in the Asian region; develop an understanding of the magnitude of the influence that the Asia Pacific region has had on Australian foreign policy; and explore the continuing importance of cultural and political inheritance in the development of Australian public and foreign policy.
SDNY PSCI 3351
This course will examine the historical origins of contemporary issues in Australia, such as race, immigration, popular culture, gender, politics, foreign policy, and the environment. Students will critically analyze the impact of Australian history on present and future issues and events; identify how power, privilege, and inequality have shaped and been shaped by government policy; develop a deeper understanding of the complex nature of Australian society, its different elements, and their shared pasts; and situate Australia within its global context.
SDNY HIST 3314
This course will explore a range of theories and debates that surround the issue of gender in both Australian and international contexts. Students will develop an understanding of key concepts and ideas that have been applied to the study of gendered identity; critically analyze gendered identity in both Australia and the United States; and examine historical and contemporary case studies in order to investigate how and why gender is such a critical element of past and present identity politics.
SDNY SOCY 3355
The Global Internship Course is designed to be completed alongside an internship placement, allowing students to earn academic credit. Students will attend weekly, discussion-led sessions that include educational support and mentoring in a classroom environment; develop personal and professional skills, contextualize their internship experience socially and culturally; and employ the use of Globally Networked Learning technology to conduct a comparative global analysis with other CAPA students. At times, this analysis will be facilitated through CAPA Masterclasses led by professionals in a diverse range of fields.
SDNY INTP 3347
The Global Internship Course is designed to be completed alongside an internship placement, allowing students to earn academic credit. Students will attend weekly, discussion-led sessions that include educational support and mentoring in a classroom environment; develop personal and professional skills, contextualize their internship experience socially and culturally; and employ the use of Globally Networked Learning technology to conduct a comparative global analysis with other CAPA students. At times, this analysis will be facilitated through CAPA Masterclasses led by professionals in a diverse range of fields.
SDNY INTP 3348
This course will examine the complexity of intercultural communication in everyday situations. Students will develop an understanding of current theory and research in intercultural communication through a critical perspective; analyze the ways that social relationships between participants are reflected in their communication; explore applied perspectives, particularly on cross-cultural communication in workplace interactions; acquire knowledge of tools and theories necessary to comprehend intercultural practices from different parts of the world; and compare these with the culture of the United States.
SDNY COMM 3353
This course will examine key economic issues in the global business environment. Students will develop an understanding of how global businesses are impacted by real world developments in economics, politics, and finance; and explore such topics as globalization, country differences, cross-border trade and investment (both goods and services and capital and labor), the global finance architecture, and competing in a global marketplace, as well as two underlying themes evident throughout the module: contemporary context and localized content of the material.
SDNY BUSN 3374
This course will explore the topic of international finance and the fact that, in a globally integrated world, it has become imperative to trade, invest, and conduct business operations internationally. Students will analyze opportunities and risks associated with international finance; acquire knowledge of theoretical concepts of finance and their adaptation to the international context; develop an understanding of historical perspectives and foundations of international finance, foreign exchange markets, exposure management, and financial management of a multinational firm; and investigate the impact of current economic and political developments on international finance.
SDNY BUSN 3373
This course will explore terms, concepts, and theories of marketing in the international context, as well as its scope and challenges. Students will examine how global dimensions technology, research, capital, investment, and production impact marketing, distribution, and communication networks; gain insight into the increasingly interdependent global economic and physical environment and its impact on international marketing; analyze current international marketing issues and their implications; and develop an understanding of how companies develop strategic plans that are competitive to survive and succeed in global markets.
SDNY BUSN 3372
pending school of record approval
SDNY URBS/SOCY 3360
This course will focus on issues within operations of relevance in a firm’s ability to remain competitive in a global economy. Students will analyze examples of companies collaborating across the globe; develop an understanding of the operational and tactical aspects of managing a network of multiple facilities; investigate their strategic implications; consider legal, ethical, operational, venture risk, and reliability factors; and examine such topics as outsourcing and offshoring, information technology in operations, designing and managing global supply chains, managing inventory and global logistics, and sustainability.
SDNY BUSN 3380
This is a creative writing workshop. Students will explore creative writing in relation to the city and the particular challenges of writing about place; respond to their experience of Sydney through their own writing; evaluate and critique their work and that of others; read and discuss texts that focus on Australia in general and Sydney specifically, from both native and foreign perspectives; examine literary techniques and strategies used to express experiences and observations; and participate in walking tours of the city in order to acquire a sense of place.
SDNY CWRT 3317