Program Courses

What program courses does IFSA-Butler offer?
The following courses are specially designed for IFSA-Butler students on the AUP. Students on the program are required to enroll in the mandatory Advanced Spanish language class. If you participate on the general academic program, you may choose to take one additional (optional) program course.** All courses are held at the IFSA-Butler program office and are taught by university faculty in Spanish. Your Spanish placement level will be determined by an oral and written exam after your arrival in Argentina. All courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours.

Click here to download all program course syllabi, or click on a course title below to download an individual syllabus.

Advanced Spanish and Argentine Culture (mandatory for all students) The objective of this mandatory program class is to enrich the knowledge of Spanish language in the following four areas: oral comprehension, oral expression, written expression and reading comprehension while analyzing the cultural context in which the language was developed and is currently spoken. Both oral and written expressions are of vital importance to the student's performance in his/her university classes. This course meets intensively during the program orientation and less frequently during the course of the semester.

State and Society in Contemporary Argentina Addressing the study of the social, economic and political history of contemporary Argentina and analyzing the most outstanding events that took place from the beginning of the 20th century until present are the main objectives of this course.  It will also present a critical discussion of the main problems affecting Argentina in each period with an emphasis on experiences that are unique to the country: Peronismo, military coups, the military process and the "disappeared," the return to democracy, and the challenges faced by subsequent administrations regarding economic crises and governability. Students are expected to understand the different economic, social and political stages the country went through, and the makeup and impact of the different social players within the prevailing local and international context.

Argentine Foreign Policy The course is aimed at acquainting with the specific issues of the foreign relations of a non-central country and their relationship with the domestic economic growth and development project. The course is designed to familiarize students with foreign policy issues through a comprehensive analysis of the matter. These issues will be addressed in the context of contemporary history during the period following World War II with a particular emphasis on Argentina's relations with Brazil and Latin America and also current items on the domestic agenda.

Argentine and Latin American Literature This course aims to broaden the student's knowledge of Argentine and Latin American culture and literature of the second half of the 20th century. Students will reflect on theoretical aspects associated with the changes occurring in the fictionalizing processes, and this course will encourage students to take an enlightened view of and establish relationships and expansions between the texts and the social and cultural processes. Students will analyze the geographical, historical and cultural contexts in which tales are produced. This course will promote the critical and creative reading of the suggested texts through the practice of writing and conversation.

Art and Politics in Contemporary Argentina  The course will allow students to ponder the relationship between different trends in Argentine plastic arts and political life. The course will study the existing symbolic interchange between the Argentine artistic schools and the social world, paying special attention to the political character of the works of art, observed from a broad perspective. The history of Argentine art, displayed from the aesthetical vanguards to the manifestations of contemporary art, establish a permanent conversation with politics and with power through dissimilar and distinguishable expressions. This class is worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours.

**Students participating on a specialized academic concentration are only permitted to enroll in the mandatory Spanish language course. See Academic Concentration section for more details about available program courses designed specifically for the concentrations.

University Info

What is the Argentine Universities Program like?
Participating on the AUP will provide you with a glance into the diverse Argentine university system and the opportunity to immerse yourself into Argentine culture and daily life. The unique structure of the program allows you to enroll in select departments (facultades) in up to four different universities. This allows you the opportunity to truly experience the Argentine educational system from a variety of perspectives. The following universities offer classes in which IFSA-Butler students may directly enroll alongside Argentine students:

Universidad Católica Argentina
Located on the Río de la Plata, Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) is just a few blocks from the bustling downtown area and the convenient subte. Each modern campus building is connected by underground passage ways, which make for a quick walk to class. The small campus and class size allow students to find their own personal niche in the big city. Modern amenities and the latest technology provide many of the same comforts found on any U.S. university campus. Courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours.

Universidad de Buenos Aires
An enormous state university, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) has nearly 300,000 students attending classes at facilities scattered throughout Buenos Aires. As the oldest public university in Argentina, UBA is also one of the most challenging and requires a great deal of independence. The diverse student body and faculty at UBA create a memorable experience for dedicated IFSA-Butler students who welcome the academic challenge UBA offers. Courses are worth 6 U.S. semester credit hours.

Universidad del Salvador
The Universidad del Salvador (USAL) resembles a U.S. university in the diversity and structure of its curriculum. This private university has a small student body and a commitment to personalized education, so the atmosphere is nurturing. Despite the fact that USAL is a true urban university with faculties spread over a wide area, the university offers a sense of community. Connect with your fellow students by checking into the range of sports teams and activities available. Courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours.

Universidad Torcuato Di Tella
The Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (UTDT) is one of the top private universities in Argentina. All faculty members are full-time, and they have studied at universities in either the United States or European Union. This allows students to learn course material through a unique perspective. Thanks to its reputation as a small and highly selective school, UTDT draws students from throughout South America. Courses are worth 5 U.S. semester credit hours.

See the "University Courses" section for more information about the wide-range of courses available to you on the AUP. Also, see "Online Course Catalogs" to find possible course listings for each of the AUP universities.

University Courses

What AUP courses am I eligible to take?
As an IFSA-Butler student, you may enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and space is available. Additionally, you may enroll in open courses as long as you meet any prerequisites and have the adequate level of Spanish. Please see the directions below for a list of universities and departments that are open to IFSA-Butler students. While many course descriptions may be found online, course syllabi may not be available until the beginning of your semester.

Keep in mind the following:

• Yearlong courses (anual) are open only to students who plan on taking both semesters of the course.
• 1 semestre (S1) or cuatrimestre is equal to U.S. spring semester.
• 2 semestre (S2) or cuatrimestre is equal to U.S. fall semester.

Where can I find a list of courses that the AUP universities offer?
Click on the "Online Course Catalogs" section for detailed instructions on how to find courses that may be available during your study abroad semseter or year.

Are there any restrictions or additional requirements for courses I can take?
Students on the AUP are only allowed to register for courses in the open departments listed in the "Online Course Catalogs" section.

How are AUP university courses different from the courses at my U.S. university?
The system of higher education in Argentina is more specialized than the U.S. liberal arts curriculum, which means that Argentine students enter university with some background in the subjects they wish to study. Therefore, local students take most of, if not all, their courses in one faculty and receive a degree in one field. In the U.S. system, students take a little of everything and don't specialize until a couple of years into their studies.

Additionally, you might notice that your Argentine classmates know each other very well. This is because students enroll in carreras rather than majors. Carreras are similar to majors in the United States but with a more structured program of study and fewer elective courses. Students from the same carrera enroll in the same courses together during their entire undergraduate career.

I need to provide course descriptions and/or syllabi to my home university advisor. Where can I find those?
If course descriptions or syllabi are not available online, contact your program advisor for assistance. Please provide the following information in your request:

• University name
• Department/facultad/subject
• Course title
• Course number (if available)

Please limit your request to 10 courses at a time. Keep in mind that it may take a few days to a month to obtain this information.

Online Course Catalogs

As an IFSA-Butler student, you are permitted to directly enroll in university courses at any of the four Argentine universities offered on the AUP.  Following you will find detailed instructions on how to access each universities' online course catalog, along with a list of pre-approved departments (facultades) in which you may select courses.

If a particular course you are looking for is not listed, or if you are having trouble navigating a university's website, contact your program advisor for more information and assistance. Keep in mind that course availability changes every semester. A finalized list of courses will not be available until your program orientation in Buenos Aires.

Universidad Católica Argentina

1. Click here to access UCA's online course catalog.
2. Select a subject of interest (i.e. Ciencias Politicas). Make sure to only select subjects from the section titled "Carerras de Grado, Buenos Aires."
3. Next, click on "Ver el detalle del Plan de estudios" to obtain a list of courses.

The following UCA departments are open to IFSA-Butler students:

• Facultad de Ciencias Políticas: Ciencia Política and Relaciones Internacionales
• Facultad de Filosofía y Letras: Literatura, Historia and Filosofía
• Facultad de Psicología y Educación: Psicología, Psicopedagogía and Educación
• Instituto de Comunicación Social, Periodismo y Publicidad: Publicidad and Periodismo

Universidad de Buenos Aires - Facultad de Ciencias Sociales

1. Click here to access UBA-CS's online course catalog.
2. Departments are listed in the header at the top of the page. Double click on the department where you would like to take classes (i.e. Ciencias Politicas).**
3. Next, select "Académicas."
4. Click on "Programas" to view a list of courses.
5. If available, you can obtain syllabus by clicking on the document icon corresponding to the correct academic year.

The following UBA-CS departments are open to IFSA-Butler students:

• Sociología

• Ciencia política
• Ciencias de la comunicación
• Relaciones del trabajo
• Trabajo social

**You can also view the curricular ladder for each major by returning to the Facultad de Ciencias Sociales home page, clicking on one of the majors listed at the top of the page and then clicking on "Plan de estudios." When the page loads, you can click "Ver Plan de estudios" in order to view the curricular ladder.

Universidad de Buenos Aires - Facultad de Filosofía y Letras

1. Click here to access UBA-FL's online course catalog.
2. Choose an area of study that interests you and click on it.
3. To see course offerings, click on "Plan de estudios."
4. To see syllabi (when available), click on "Cátedras" on the left side of the page and then on the appropriate "Programa."

The following UBA-FL departments are open to IFSA-Butler students:

• Letras
• Geografía
• Artes
• Filosofía
• Antropología
• Ciencias de la Educación
• Historia

Universidad del Salvador

1. Click here to access USAL's online course catalog.
2. Click on a facultad that interests you (i.e. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales).
3. On the left-hand side of the screen, click on "Carreras de Grado."
4. Choose a subject and click on it to see the course listings.
5. For most subjects, only a list of courses will appear. For others, short descriptions or syllabi may be available if you click on the course title.

The following USAL departments are open to IFSA-Butler students:

• Facultad de Historia, Filosofía y Letras: Letras, Lengua Inglesa, Interpretación de Conferencias en Inglés, Traductorado Público de Inglés, Traductorado Científico Literario de Inglés, Historia, Ciencias Ambientales, Gestión de Historia de las Artes and Filosofía
• Facultad de Ciencias Sociales: Ciencia Política, Sociología, Relaciones Internacionales and Servicio Social
• Facultad de Ciencias de la Administración: Administración, Comercialización, Administración de Recursos Humanos, Sistemas de Información
• Facultad de Artes de Teatro: Escenografía and Arte Dramático
• Facultad de Psicología: Psicología and Psicopedagogía
• Escuela de Estudios Orientales: Estudios Orientales

Universidad Torcuato Di Tella

1. Click here to access UTDT's online course catalog.
2. Click on "Course Description Booklet." You will be asked to download a 70 page PDF document that has all courses and descriptions available for international students.**

The following departments are open to IFSA-Butler students:

• Departamento de Economía
• Escuela de Negocios
• Departamento de Ciencia Política
• Departamento de Estudios Internacionales
• Escuela de Historia
• Departamento de Derecho

**Disregard the instructions for international students that appear on this page. All communication should be with IFSA-Butler, not UTDT.

Fundación Universidad del Cine (Cinema studies concentration students only)

1. Click here to access the university's online course catalog.
2. A subject list appears on the lefthand side of the screen. Click on a subject that interests you (i.e. Artes Visuales).
3. Click on "Plan de Estudios" under the box "Titulo Comunicador..." or "Titulo Licenciado..." for a list of courses and descriptions (if available).

The following Fundación Universidad del Cine departments are open to IFSA-Butler students:

• Comunicacion: Artes Visuales, Diseño Gráfico and Procesos Educativos
• Facultad de Cinematografía: Dirección Cinematográfica, Guión Cinematográfico, Iluminación y Cámara Cinematográficas, Escenografía y Vestuario Cinematográficos/as, Compaginación Cinematográfica, Producción Cinematográfica, Historia, Teoría y Crítica Cinematográfica and Cine de Animación y Multimedia

Registration

How will I register for courses?
Course registration will not take place until you are in Argentina. You, along with the help of the IFSA-Butler staff, will plan your course schedule during orientation. While we are sure that your time abroad will be rewarding, you must be aware of some of the challenges inherent in dealing with the Argentine educational system. The resident director will not only discuss these at orientation but will also be available to help you with any problems that may arise during the semester.

Keep in mind that the educational system in Argentina is different from the system in the U.S. For example, universities do not usually publish course schedules until just before the start of the semester. In many cases, current course listings are not available until you arrive on site.

Each semester there are certain courses at the universities that are quite popular among IFSA-Butler students. Due to an increase in demand from their own students, all universities have limited admission to certain classes for non-degree and/or visiting international students. While the IFSA-Butler program in Buenos Aires has many options available, and similar classes are available in more than one institution or even facultad, it is not always possible to get your first choice of classes (similar to what you may have experienced at your home university).This can be particularly challenging in the smaller institutions of UTDT and UCA.

What if I need to take a required course?
Because of university scheduling, it is difficult to confirm course availability before you depart. If you are flexible in your course choices, you will probably be able to find a course that fits your needs. Keep in mind that if you need a specific course to fulfill your home institution's requirements, we may not be able to confirm the availability of that course or enroll you in it even if it is available. Both academic flexibility and patience are requirements for studying in Latin America.

What are the registration conditions
You must take a full university course load as determined by IFSA-Butler, which is 15-16 U.S. semester credit hours per semester. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. The number of courses you will take depends on the individual credit value of the courses you select. Please be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home university or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. Students are not allowed to register for on-line, distance education or hybrid courses. See the "Academics" and "Program Fees and Financial Aid" sections in Preparing to Study Abroad for more information.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Due to the difference in academic systems, your exam schedule will not be available until after you register for courses at your university. Be sure to confirm exam dates with your professor at the beginning of the semester. You are not permitted to reschedule exams, request alternate assessment or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler will not be able to assist you in conducting an academic record query on the class in which you made this arrangement. Additionally, all academic obligations, including final exams, must be complete before leaving Argentina.

Will I have final exams after the program has officially ended?
Each semester, our resident staff set the official program end date based on the established semester-end dates of the universities along with the date when the majority of IFSA-Butler students should be finished with finals. However, every semester a handful of students select classes with final exams scheduled past the official program end date. As the final exam schedule will not be available until you register for classes (after you arrive in Buenos Aires), we cannot guarantee that you will be finished by the program end date.

It is very important that you check your syllabi and with your professors for your final exam schedule. At the beginning of the semester, you will have a four-week shopping period to test out more classes than you plan to take. In most cases, you will know when your final exams are scheduled before you finalize your schedule. If you cannot be flexible with your end date, you should take into consideration the exam schedule as you make your course selections. All coursework must be submitted before you leave Argentina, and exams cannot be rescheduled.

Should you need to remain in Buenos Aires after the program end date to take a final exam, IFSA-Butler housing and services are guaranteed until that time. It will be your responsibility to arrange and pay for any changes in your return flight once final exams are complete.

Do I need to take a placement exam at the Universidad de Buenos Aires?
The Facultad de Ciencias Sociales at UBA requires that all international students take a Spanish language placement test prior to enrollment. The test is a requirement for enrollment in the facultad.

Grades rank from 1 to 5. A 4 is a passing grade. If you get a 1, you cannot enroll in the facultad. Although there are no academic consequences for not reaching a 4, if you receive a 2 or 3, you must take an additional exam. At the end of the semester, Ciencias Sociales will issue you a certificate as proof of your progress in the Spanish language according to UBA (although the certificate is not worth credit).

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you return to the U.S., IFSA-Butler will send a Butler University transcript to your home university. The transcript reflects the courses taken, credits attempted and grades earned on AUP during your study abroad semester or year. We will also send an official transcript to your permanent home address.

Academic Advisors

What if I need academic help during the semester?
A particularly strong feature of the AUP program is the availability of academic advisors. These are Argentine final-year students (the equivalent of graduate students) or university graduates who represent a variety of disciplines, including literature, politics, history, economics and sociology. You are assigned an academic advisor who helps you select an appropriate load of classes during the program orientation.

Thereafter, you are required to meet with your academic advisor at least once a month. They are available on a rotating schedule each evening of the week; you have access to all the academic advisors (not just the one to whom you are assigned) who can assist you if you encounter any difficulties with the content of your classes.

The availability of academic advisors on this program is an especially important feature given the difficulties of studying in a different academic system in a foreign language. Be sure to take advantage of this valuable resource.