Social Justice, Identity, and Language in Oaxaca:
Summer study abroad for heritage speakers
SPAN 375: Current Topics/Independent Study
Students who are eligible for this course will carry out a research project that is related to some aspect of Oaxacan culture and life. This could be at a hospital, in an elementary school, about a local indigenous language, or some other relevant topic. This is carried out with the close assistance of the program director, UIC professor Kim Potowski.
This page serves as an archive for past student projects.
2017
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“Access to health care in Oaxaca” by Sara Izquierdo
Only for students with some basic medical training. Izquierdo volunteered at the local Red Cross and assisted walk-in doctors and nurses with patient care. She also completed a research project about the Mexican healthcare system and the different degrees of access afforded to members of society.
2019
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“La evolución del papel de la mujer en ‘usos y costumbres’ en Oaxaca” by Izayo Rodriguez
Rodriguez interviewed members of a local indigenous community to learn about how women’s income from selling woven crafts has changed their traditionally limited roles within the indigenous ‘usos y costumbres’ governance system. His paper was accepted at the Latin American Studies Association conference.
2022
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“Bordando raíces” Video Essay by Alicia Ribeiro
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“Communal lands and the management of natural resources” by Cata Herrera
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“Museos Comunitarios: Una lucha para la identidad y la preservación comunitaria” by Lucy Arias
What happens when the federal government comes to your town and wants to remove your ancestor’s artifacts to display them in a national museum? In 2022, Arias researched how several Oaxacan communities have created their own museums to prevent this. She got to visit stakeholders at several museums and interview an INAH professor who helped form 24 community museums.
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“Los Muxes: Moving bodies más allá del binaro de género y danzando en Resistencia” by Omar Limias
Limias read and viewed documentaries about muxes, made contact with members of the Oaxacan muxe community, and interviewed several of them about their experiences. We were all invited to their parade and ‘vela’ (giant party) in August!
2023
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“Diabetes and alcoholism among Zapotecs” by Citlali Santiago
Santiago presented her research on this topic at the annual conference of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science.
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“High school lesson plans about alebrijes, huipiles y el barro negro” by Diana Mejia
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“Mental health in Oaxacan indigenous communities” by Jessica Arias
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“High school lesson plan about lenguas indígenas en Oaxaca” by Vanessa Delgado
2025
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“La música tradicional de Oaxaca: ¿Qué elementos tradicionales retiene y cómo ha cambiado con el tiempo?” by Natalia Perea
