Instructor: Rev. Dr. S.S. Quarcoopome

Project: Street Culture, Growth and Development of Street Life in Accra

With a background provided in the political, economic, social, and cultural foundations of street peoples and systems, the student will explore, with Rev. Dr. S. S. Quarcoopome, the current conditions of such institutions in Accra. Characteristics of overcrowding will be considered, as Accra is densely populated and continues to expand. The student will attempt to draw connections between violence and poverty, political stability and living conditions (both at the standard of living and below), efforts of improvement and internal, as well as external aid.

The student will spend time interviewing individuals, as well as observing and interacting with those who live, and are affected by, the densely populated conditions. Programs which have been established to control and redirect conditions on the street will also be a very important exploration for the student, as they will speak with individuals from church programs, NGOs, educational institutions, etc. All research should culminate in a student's proposed plan of action regarding issues on the street based on their findings and research.

Among several questions that will be asked throughout the project:

• Who is living on the street? What are the origins of their cultural identity?
• What is the ethos of street life and street culture?
• Are street attitudes homogeneous?
• What are the environmental consequences of overcrowded streets? How do certain cultures contribute to these conditions?
• What organizations are getting involved? Are they national or international?
• Does schooling solve any of the issues?
• Is violence more common when poverty is rampant?