Associate Professor; Program Head, Spanish Studies
Sabino Morera is an Associate Professor of Latin American and Hispanic Studies and Program Coordinator for Spanish Language Studies. He has over 25 years of experience teaching content-based language and translation courses in Spanish and English both in Costa Rica and the U.S. As a MIIS alumnus with a diverse background, he believes that multidisciplinary and multicultural training has broadened his professional outlook which he brings into the classroom.
Sabino Morera is a professional language educator, translator and interpreter. He is currently an Assistant Professor where he teaches content-based Spanish language courses in the various masters programs. He has extensive experience working as a free-lance translator and interpreter for the Costa Rican government, the U.S. Embassy and multiple international organizations. He has also undertaken studies in international affairs and diplomacy and has served as Minister Counselor for Cultural Affairs and Education of the Costa Rican Embassy in Washington, D.C.
ICCO 8576
can be reusedCourse Description
The curriculum for the Peace & the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action course will be focused on MIIS’ 3 pillars of peace & security, sustainability, language skills and intercultural communication as well as specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants will observe first-hand how different organizations are attending to challenges related to specified SDGs during on-site visits in Costa Rica. Students will collect in-situ data, conduct interviews, and compile their notes, journal entries for their final deliverable during the spring showcase. Students will research, discuss, and present on sustainable development through the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and SDG Knowledge Platform: (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs). Attention will be given to specific actions and initiatives that are working on specific SDGs. See the itinerary for SDGs to be covered during our immersive learning experience in Costa Rica. Students will benefit from direct contact with experts in the field of peace studies and sustainable development.
Visit http://sites.miis.edu/partnershipsforpeace for course application and travel information.
Terms Taught
SPLA 8411
Comparative&IntlEduc InLatinAmCourse Description
Comparative and International Education in Latin America
This course provides an introduction to the analysis of the status of educational systems and structures in Latin America from a comparative and international perspective. It addresses the impact of globalization on education systems and the role that international organizations, NGOs and the private sector play in providing and financing alternative educational programs at various levels of instruction. Being the most unequal region of the world, particular importance will be placed on the relationship between the evolving democratic systems, equity and social justice. Participants will also have the opportunity to propose and explore innovative initiatives and educational reforms in the region.
Terms Taught
SPLA 8445
CitizenSec & HumanDev Latin AmCourse Description
Citizen Security and Human Development in Latin America
Although Latin America today shows stronger and more integrated economies, less poverty, more consolidated democracies, citizen insecurity has become an urgent challenge for human development in the region. Citizens perceive crime and violence as the main obstacle to their opportunities and to freedom from want and freedom from fear. This course provides the conceptual, practical and analytical framework to understand the interplay between security and human development. Participants explore the root causes, the manifestations as well as the programs and policies that countries in the region are implementing to face the challenges.
Terms Taught
SPLA 8461
Ed4GlobalCitizenship&LeadershiCourse Description
With the expansion of globalization and neoliberalism, increasing attention is given to global educational systems as the fundamental instrument for ensuring entry into the international market and labor competitiveness, while also facing internal and external challenges. The course provides an overview of the main theoretical, practical, and policy aspects affecting educational systems today from the perspective of leadership, sustainability, equity, and social justice.
Terms Taught
SPLA 8481 Upcoming
Prfsnl Pub Speaking in SpanishCourse Description
This course seeks to develop key linguistic skills in Spanish to deliver informative and persuasive speeches on complex topics related mainly to political and social issues. Other public-speaking situations such as panels are also practiced as a means to cover a wider variety of public-speaking interventions that students may encounter in their professions. Phonetic, syntactical and lexical skills are developed as appropriate to attain the goals pertaining to the various public-speaking genres.
Terms Taught
SPLA 8484 Upcoming
US ForeignPolicyInLatinAmericaCourse Description
Latin America and the Caribbean have been of special interest to the United States because of its proximity and the instability caused by democratic transitions. The region has been an experimental ground in which U.S. principles and practices have collided within the context of the Cold War and beyond it. This course will examine the constantly evolving dynamics of relations between the United States and Latin America through the analysis of U.S. foreign policy and the integration efforts in Latin America aimed at gaining further autonomy in the face of the hegemonic reconfiguration in the XXI century. Participants will also explore contemporary challenges and phenomena such as the impact of rising populism, organized crime, and free trade on the relations between the U.S. and Latin America. Particular attention will be given to the role of public and summit diplomacy as an instrument of regional integration and redefinition of the relations between the U.S. and Latin America.
Terms Taught
SPLA 9376
Peace & SDGs Costa RicaCourse Description
Costa Rica: The UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action
This course provides an immersive experience to explore Costa Rica’s Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting both their successes and challenges. Participants will engage with readings on Costa Rica’s development issues, other relevant materials, and embark on an exciting itinerary designed in partnership with the University for Peace in San José, Costa Rica, and MIIS. This journey will offer a deep understanding of the policies that have shaped Costa Rica’s development.
For those pursuing IPD credits, a 1,500-word policy brief on a topic of your choice, inspired by the program, will be required, along with reflections on the readings. Your professional presentation will be based on your policy brief. Students will also be exposed to the principles of Conflict Transformation and Intercultural Communication skills in the field.
For students pursuing 2 EAPP credits, a fewer number of readings and reflections will be required and the final presentation for the “showcase” will be optional. For those pursuing 4 EAPP credits, all readings, reflections, and the final presentation will be required. Students will be exposed to the principles of Conflict Transformation and Intercultural Communication skills in the field.
Students pursuing Spanish credits at the 200, 300, or 400 level, will draft a reflection in Spanish that covers the required readings and presentations by guest speakers during the onsite portion or the course in Costa Rica. Students will also present their experience when they return to the US. Students will also be asked to apply ICC and Conflict Transformation concepts and ideas in their reflection.
Terms Taught
SPLA 9476
Peace & SDGs Costa RicaCourse Description
Costa Rica: The UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action
This course provides an immersive experience to explore Costa Rica’s Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting both their successes and challenges. Participants will engage with readings on Costa Rica’s development issues, other relevant materials, and embark on an exciting itinerary designed in partnership with the University for Peace in San José, Costa Rica, and MIIS. This journey will offer a deep understanding of the policies that have shaped Costa Rica’s development.
For those pursuing IPD credits, a 1,500-word policy brief on a topic of your choice, inspired by the program, will be required, along with reflections on the readings. Your professional presentation will be based on your policy brief. Students will also be exposed to the principles of Conflict Transformation and Intercultural Communication skills in the field.
For students pursuing 2 EAPP credits, a fewer number of readings and reflections will be required and the final presentation for the “showcase” will be optional. For those pursuing 4 EAPP credits, all readings, reflections, and the final presentation will be required. Students will be exposed to the principles of Conflict Transformation and Intercultural Communication skills in the field.
Students pursuing Spanish credits at the 200, 300, or 400 level, will draft a reflection in Spanish that covers the required readings and presentations by guest speakers during the onsite portion or the course in Costa Rica. Students will also present their experience when they return to the US. Students will also be asked to apply ICC and Conflict Transformation concepts and ideas in their reflection.
Terms Taught
Morera’s academic work and practice are mainly motivated by his interest in Latin American politics and human development. His courses aim to counter the limited attention that Latin America is getting these days in the international arena not only in terms of foreign policy but internal and regional affairs.
Being from Costa Rica, Morera has focused his work on the power of education, democracy and diplomacy. The reduction of inequality, the promotion of smart social programs and empowerment within truly democratic systems are recurrent themes in his courses. In addition to addressing complex issues facing Latin America and the Caribbean such as foreign policy, citizen security and international education, he also explores intricate syntactic and lexical aspects of modern Spanish. He also enjoys using innovative, collaborative methodologies such as the signature multilingual and multidisciplinary Monterey Model.
Professor Morera has been teaching at the Institute since 2010, after teaching here for three semesters in 2001-03.
| by Sierra Abukins
Transforming conflict is at the heart of a seven-year Middlebury initiative that is funding dozens of graduate fellows each year to apply their learning in research and community projects. The first annual event showcased projects and sparked conversation.
| by Sierra Abukins
In 1948, Costa Rica abolished its army, shifting resources into education and health. This January, Professor Sabino Morera is leading an experiential learning course to his home country centered on peace and security, sustainability and intercultural exchange with Professor Marie Butcher.
| by Jessie Raymond
At the Human Rights Forum held at the Institute in October, language studies students, speaking in their nonnative languages, presented their research on current human rights issues, while teams of student interpreters relayed the presentations into multiple languages.
