What's New

The 2006 Summer Field School

The sixth biennial summer field school program in The Gambia will take begin Monday, May 29 and continue through Saturday, July 15. All participants will take part in the initial two week orientation at the new St. Mary’s College compound in Kanifing Estates, about 15 minutes walk from the University of The Gambia. During the orientation students will study a local Gambian language (either Mandinka or Wolof) and learn about appropriate social interaction in The Gambia. Guest speakers will come and speak with students about their work with the Gambian government, or in the private sector or with a non-governmental organization (NGO). We discuss a wide variety of topics related to Gambian history, society and culture, and teach participants how to get around to various points of interest in the Greater Banjul Area. Everybody takes part in our trek to various sites of historical or cultural interest in rural areas “upcountry” from Banjul. For the last month participants undertake a research project they choose in consultation with program faculty Bill Roberts or Deborah O’Donnell. Those participants interested in archaeology will continue the work we began in 2004 on excavations at Juffureh and Albreda directed by Syracuse University graduate student and Fulbright grantee, Liza Gijanto. Other students will pursue research on topics aligned with their academic interests guided by St. Mary’s College applied anthropologist Bill Roberts or clinical psychologist Deborah O’Donnell.

Applications are due Tuesday, February 28, and should be accompanied by a $500 deposit. Click here for application material.

If you plan to participate in the archaeology program in The Gambia, you will need to bring some special equipment. Click here for a list of the materials you will need for the archaeology project.

This year St. Mary’s students who study in The Gambia can apply for financial support through a grant made by the Mellon Foundation to the College’s Center for the Study of Democracy. The application forms can be obtained directly from the office of International Education in Anne Arundel hall, or you can Click here for scholarship application materials.

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Tubabs in Africa

Yellow Cat Productions’ documentary film of the 2002 Gambia field study program, “Tubabs in Africa”, premiered in Washington, D.C. on July 22, 2003 (this was coincidentally the ninth anniversary of the second Republic in The Gambia). “Tubabs in Africa” humorously captures the spirit and structure of the 2002 field school, featuring three student projects. This film is an excellent resource for anybody who wants to participate in this program, or travel and study abroad. You’ll appreciate the great photography of an articulate and adventurous group of students who seek the ‘other’ and find themselves.

Ordering Information

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Program Director

Bill Roberts was inducted into the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia at the rank of Commander (honorary) by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Alhagi Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, on Sunday, April 25, 2005, at a ceremony at the State House in Banjul. Below are photographs from that day showing Bill receiving his medal from the President, and then, after the ceremony and reception, standing with friends (from left to right) Bala Saho (National Council for Arts and Culture), Yamai Secka-Jack (Associate Peace Corps Director for Education) and Gibril Sumbunu (Associate Peace Corps Director for Health) in the shade of a tree near July 22nd square.

 

 

 



Click here for an offical citation of the ceremony (PDF)

  
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Program Goals

  • Improve participants' knowledge about Africa and life in African society through first-hand experiences in The Gambia.
  • Provide participants with two weeks of local African language (Mandinka) and culture training.
  • Provide training in rapid appraisal techniques, ethnographic and other research methods for participants and a cohort of Gambian students at the University of The Gambia.
  • Assist individual participants with defining the topic and/or issue of African life and society they will examine in The Gambia; help develop a research methodology and establish contacts with experienced researchers and knowledgeable Africans; provide guidance and feedback for the preparation of a written report and oral presentation.
  • Assist individual participants to complete research or service-learning projects that will be useful to The Gambia or their Gambian collaborators.
  • Encourage participants to make contacts with Peace Corps volunteers in The Gambia and learn about the work they undertake with Gambians.

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Contact Us

Bill Roberts
Department of Anthropology-Sociology
18952 E. Fisher Road
St. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD 20686

Phone: 240.895.4387
Fax:    240.895.4450
E-mail: wcroberts@smcm.edu

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