The steering committee of the Women's Studies Program is researching the possibility of adding a Foreign Study Program in Africa to the department, English professor Priscilla Sears said.
She said it was too early to tell whether an FSP will be created, but that the steering committee is "committed to exploring the possibility" of establishing an FSP in the next few years.
Sears said she would like to see the FSP offered this fall, but a start in fall of 1997 is more likely.
Should it be established, the program will focus on the concepts of gender and "how they are manifested in institutions of other cultures," Sears said.
Sears said the committee is looking for a city in an English-speaking country to hold the Women's Studies FSP, "most likely in a place where there is not already a Dartmouth program."
Melissa McCollum '96, who is working with Sears to establish a Women's Studies FSP, said the committee would prefer to offer the FSP somewhere in Africa.
Sears said the FSP will have a mutual aid provision so that students who participate will be expected to tell local women about women's advancements in the United States.
While no one has committed to help fund the FSP, Sears said the Rockefeller Center for the Social Sciences, the Dickey Center and Hewlett Grants have all expressed interest in it.
McCollum said the students she talked to are especially interested in a program in Africa.
Sears said she sent an inquiry to all students enrolled in Women's Studies courses to gauge the interest for such an FSP. She said about 25 students responded.
Twelve to 15 students would be able to participate in the program, Sears said.
Sears said there are seven or eight faculty members interested in supervising the FSP.
