La Habana Courses – 2026 Summer Session II
Academics
La Habana offers an ideal setting for exploring the complexities of Cuban society, where history, culture, and everyday life come together in compelling ways. Its vibrant communities, shaped by Afro-Cuban traditions, Caribbean influences, and diverse local identities, provide rich opportunities to study the people and cultures that define the island. The city also offers meaningful insight into Cuba’s distinctive political landscape and community-focused healthcare system and creates a dynamic environment for strengthening Spanish conversation skills.
You will enroll in three or four credits during the Summer session. At least one 3-credit course is required. No prior knowledge of Spanish is required. Courses are intensive and typically meet for three hours each day plus nightly homework assignments.
Courses Offered
Course availability is contingent upon scheduling constraints, meeting enrollment minimums, and is subject to change. View course details and descriptions.
Courses marked with an asterisk* are taught in Spanish.
Summer Session II
Cuban & Latin American Studies
- Afro-Cuban Identity and Traditions
- Dances of Havana and the Caribbean
- Government and Politics in Latin America
- Latin American Social Revolutions
- Peoples and Cultures of Cuba and the Caribbean
- Spanish Conversation and Oral Skills*
- The Cuban Health Care System
Non-Credit Workshop
- Cuban Cuisine
U.S. Visiting Professors
While most USAC courses are taught by local faculty, we are excited to have the following U.S. professor(s) teach with us in la Habana this summer:
Carina Black, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno
Course: Latin American Social Revolutions
Professor Black teaches at the Honors College at the University of Nevada, Reno while also serving as the Executive Director for Northern Nevada International Center. Professor Black actively works with refugees and asylees from around the world and has established a center for diplomacy in Reno, Nevada to provide a safe space for immigrants. She is passionate about teaching and has specialized in Latin American government and politics.
USAC Course Descriptions
Click the course title to view course details, description and availability. To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu
- Summer Session IIAnthropology Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.
- Summer Session II
The Cuban Cuisine workshop offers an immersive experience for students passionate about cooking, providing them the chance to learn and prepare traditional Cuban dishes.
Through hands-on cooking sessions, students will not only learn culinary techniques but also practice their Spanish and deepen their understanding of Latin American culture.
The workshop is seasonally adapted based on the availability of fresh market products, ensuring a unique and varied menu with each session.
Vegetarian and vegan participants are welcome, and no previous cooking experience is required.
This workshop has an additional fee.
This workshop requires a minimum enrollment of four students to run.
- Summer Session IIDance 100-level 1 credit Taught in Spanish
The objectives of this course are to understand the antecedents of Latin American dance and to learn to perform correctly folkloric dances from Costa Rica as well as the spicier Caribbean salsa rhythms.
Taught in Spanish but appropriate for everyone
- Summer Session IIPolitical Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
Governments and Politics in Latin America are connected to the colonial dependence and deformations in the social-economic, cultural, political, and ideological life. This course will address the core political issues facing the region. Students will be required to think critically about topics such as, authoritarianism, dictatorships, revolutions, social conflicts, political corruption, United States foreign policy, political and economic development, democratic transition, and indigenous and other minority group right, as it pertains to Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Summer Session II400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course will explore the socio-political systems and historical context of Cuba and the Caribbean from an anthropological perspective. The course will present contemporary theoretical perspectives that express the complex socio-economic, cultural, and political reality of the area, including topics of culture and "race," daily life, and religion within Cuba and the Caribbean as well other Latin American colonial societies. Students will draw upon the works and anthropological thinking of Fernando Ortiz, Jean Price-Mars, and C.L.R. James.
- Summer Session IISpanish 300-level 1 credit Taught in Spanish
A course that complements the development of linguistic skills emphasizing the oral mode of the Spanish language. It aims to improve students' ability to maintain a sustained monologue as well as oral interactions.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent, or instructor approval
- Summer Session IICommunity Health Sciences Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course offers an overview of the Cuban health system that operates under the principle that health is an inalienable social right. These services are financed almost exclusively with government resources. The Ministry of Public Health is the governing body of the national health system, which manages resources in the three-tiered healthcare system. The primary tier solves approximately 80% of the population's health problems and its services are mainly provided in polyclinics and doctor's offices and family nurses. Approximately 15% of health problems are covered within the second tier. Its fundamental function is to treat pre-existing conditions to prevent complications and perform immediate rehabilitation. Approximately 5% of health problems are covered within the third tier. Treatments within this tier are related to sequelae or complications with certain diseases. This type of care is mainly provided in specialized hospitals or institutes.
The course will begin with an overview of basic concepts about the Cuban Public Health System. Students will be required to complete readings related to the different primary health care programs before the start of each class and participate in discussions based on the readings. The course will also require students to participate in practical activities that complement the course readings.
Note: The evaluation will be systematic based on oral questions, participation in classes and presentation of reports after practical activities.