2009 STUDY OF THE U.S. INSTITUTES
FOR UNIVERSITY FACULTY
The United States Consulate General in Guadalajara is pleased to announce the U.S. Studies Institutes offered by the U.S. Study Branch of the Department of State during a six week period beginning in June 2010 for university faculty and other scholars.
GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Study of the United States Institutes
are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of American society, culture and institutions. The ultimate goal is to strengthen curricula and to improve the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad.
Institutes are held at various colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and focus on a particular theme or topic about the U.S. Each program includes two components: an intensive, four-week academic seminar and a study tour of up to two weeks designed to reinforce the academic content of the seminar. Eighteen candidates world-wide are selected on a competitive basis to participate in each institute. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the program's website to obtain general information about the 2009 Institutes at:
http://exchanges.state.gov/academicexchanges/scholars.html
CANDIDATES´ QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly motivated and experienced professionals from institutions of higher education. While the educational levels may vary, most participants should have graduate degrees and substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the institute.
The ideal candidate will also be an experienced professional with little or no prior experience in the United States, whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop new courses in the subject of the institute, to enhance and update existing courses on the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/ workshops for professionals in U.S. Studies areas related to the program theme. In this respect, while the nominee's scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, an equally important factor is how participation in the institute will enhance course offerings in U.S. studies at the nominee's home institution.
Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study tour. While senior faculty members are eligible applicants, first consideration will be given to younger and mid-career professionals, and to persons who are likely to be comfortable with campus life and an active program schedule.
Priority consideration will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus or component, who have limited experience in the United States, and who have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarships, accomplishments, and professional duties.
Mexican citizenship. Interested parties with dual nationalities (U.S. and Mexican) or those holding resident status in the U.S. are ineligible.
English language ability: 213 CB (computer-based) TOEFL or 550 Institutional TOEFL score. It is imperative that all candidates demonstrate English language fluency. Institutes are rigorous and demanding programs; participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and to be full and active participants in all seminar and panel discussions. English fluency is vital to a successful experience in the institute for all participants.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS:
Financial Provisions:
The Department of State will cover all participant costs, including: program administration, international/domestic travel and ground transportation, book, cultural, housing and subsistence, mailing and incidental allowances.
Accommodations and meals: Typically, participants will have a private room with a shared bathroom during the residency portion (four weeks) of the institute, and will have to share a hotel room during the study tour (up to two weeks). Housing will typically be in college or university owned housing. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. Full details will be provided at a later date.
Health Insurance: All participants will receive the program's insurance coverage of USD$50,000 with USD$25.00 deductible for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
Attendance: Participants are expected to participate fully in the program. They must attend all lectures and organized activities, and complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends cannot accompany participants on any part of the program.
Methodology & Personal Research: Teaching methodology and pedagogical methods will not be addressed formally in the institutes. Candidates should be aware that the institutes are very intensive and that there will be very little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The institutes should NOT be viewed as research programs.
Health Conditions:
A physical examination is not required in order to participate in the program. It is important, however, for U.S. host universities to know in advance about any medical conditions that might require special assistance (wheelchair access, limitations on walking, etc.) or chronic conditions, such as diabetes, for which treatment may be necessary during the program. All institute programs include substantial travel, as well as day or weekend trips that may require long walks or time spent standing.
Smoking: All applicants should be aware that smoking areas are often restricted in the United States, especially during domestic airline flights, in public buildings and on college and university campuses.
Selection process:
Candidates selected by the U.S. Embassy will be nominated to the U.S. Department of State for final selection and approval. Candidates will be notified regarding selection or non-selection by mid-April.
Description of Institutes
1. U.S. Culture and Society
Host Institution: Not determined yet
Designed for Specialists in: History, American Studies, American Literature, English Language.
This program will provide a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, values and institutions. The program examines some of the critical historical epochs, movements, issues and conflicts that have influenced the development of the U.S. nation and its people and includes a strong contemporary component, particularly current political, social, and economic issues and debates. The complexity and heterogeneous nature of American society is highlighted as well as the institutions and values that have enabled the nation to accommodate that diversity.
2. American Politics and Political Thought
Host Institution: University of Massachusetts, Amherst (tentative)
Designed for Specialists in: Political Science, Political Theory, Sociology, Philosophy.
This program will provide participants with a deeper understanding of U.S. political institutions and major currents in American political thought with insight into how intellectual and political movements have influenced modern American political institutions. The institute will give an overview of political thought during the founding period (Constitutional foundations), and the development and current functioning of the American presidency, Congress and the federal judiciary. The examination of political institutions will include the electoral system, political parties and interest groups, the civil service system, media and think tanks, and the welfare/regulatory state. The institute will address modern political and cultural issues in the United States (including but not limited to civil rights, women's rights, immigration, etc.), and the significance of public discourse in the formulation of public policy.
3. Contemporary American Literature
Host Institution: University of Louisville, Kentucky (tentative)
Designed for Specialists in: Literature in general, American literature or American studies.
This institute will provide a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of contemporary American literature. Its purpose is twofold: first, to explore contemporary American writers and writing in a variety of genres; second, to suggest how the themes explored in those works reflect larger currents within contemporary American society and culture. The program will explore the diversity of the American literary landscape, examining how major contemporary writers, schools and movements reflect the traditions of the American literary canon. At the same time, the program will expose participants to writers who represent a departure from that tradition, and who are establishing new directions for American literature.
We wish to emphasize that the subject institute will offer a multi-dimensional and academically rigorous examination of contemporary American literature, including a significant amount of literary theory and criticism. The program content (including texts, readings and seminar sessions) will be very demanding, and will only be appropriate for participants who have significant prior knowledge of American literature and of literary theory, criticism and practice. Participants will also need very strong English language ability.
4. U.S. Foreign Policy
Host Institution: University of Florida, Gainesville (tentative)
Designed for Specialists in: International Relations, Foreign Policy, History, Political Science.
The institute will provide university faculty and scholars with a deeper understanding of how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented with an emphasis on the post Cold War period. This institute will begin with a review of the historical development of U.S. foreign policy and cover significant events, individuals, and philosophies that have dominated U.S. foreign policy. In addition, the institute will explain the role of key players in the field of foreign policy, including the executive and legislative branches, the media, public opinion, think-tanks, non-governmental and international organizations and how these players debate, cooperate, influence policy, and are held accountable. Regional sessions, for the entire group, highlighting salient topics such as energy security and environmental policy in Europe; trade and human rights issues in Asia; foreign aid and humanitarian assistance in Africa; drug trafficking and immigration issues for the Western Hemisphere; and combating terrorism in the Near East and South Asia are among the relevant issues that might be explored. In addition, sessions focusing on current issues such as nuclear disarmament, the Middle East peace process, or U.S. military actions would be appropriate.
5. Journalism and Media in the United States
Host Institution: Institution will be determined at a later date
Designed for: Journalism instructors and related specialists
This program will provide a deeper understanding of the role of journalism and the media in U.S. society. It will examine major topics in journalism, including the concept of a "free press," First Amendment rights, and the media's relationship to the public interest. The legal and ethical questions posed by journalism will be incorporated into every aspect of the institute. The institute will cover strategies for teaching students of journalism the basics of the tradecraft: researching, reporting, writing, and editing. The program will also highlight technology's impact on journalism, addressing the influence of the internet, the globalization of the news media, the growth of satellite television and radio networks, and other advances in media that are transforming the profession.
6. Religious Pluralism in the United States
Host Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara (tentative)
Designed for Specialists in: Political Science, Sociology, Religion, History, American Studies.
This program will focus on the U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of religious pluralism in the United States and its intersection with American democracy. Employing a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing on fields such as history, political science, sociology, anthropology, law and others where appropriate, the program will explore both the historical and contemporary relationship between church and state in the United States. Participants will examine the following aspects of religious pluralism in the United States: the ways in which religious thought and practice have influenced, and been influenced by, the development of American-style democracy; the intersections of religion and politics in the United States in such areas as elections, public policy, and foreign policy; and the sociology and demography of religion in the United States today, including a survey of the diversity of contemporary religious beliefs and its impact on American politics.
If you are interested in applying, please submit the following information, in the order requested, by e-mail to: saucedome@state.gov. (Font: Arial, 10 pitch, upper and lower cases).
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full name exactly as it appears on your passport. (Clearly identify your first, middle and surnames).
Date of birth (please spell out month, date, year)
City of birth
Country of birth
Country of residence
Country(ies) of Citizenship
Home Address (including colonia, delegación and zip code), telephone (including area code), cellular phone number, and E-mail.
Gender
Medical, physical, dietary or other personal considerations. Please state if you have
any existing medical conditions or if you are currently taking prescription medication. This will not affect your application, but will enable the host institution to make any necessary accommodations.
PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION
Current position(s) and title(s).
Current institutional affiliation, including full address and office phone number.
Work experience, including previous positions and titles.
Education, academic and professional training, including degrees earned and fields
of specialization.
Active professional memberships.
Short list of relevant publications (please do not list more than 10 with English
translations).
Previous travel and study or research experience in the United States, including
dates and reason for travel. If applicable, indicate if such travel was supported by U.S. Government funds.
Family Residing in the United States: Please list any immediate family members
who are currently residing in the United States, including city and state.
Evidence of fluency in written or oral English, preferably an IB TOEFL or
Institutional TOEFL score.
Statement justifying your participation in the Institute (no more than one single
spaced page) indicating why you are interested in participating and what you expect to achieve. The following should be specifically addressed:
Name of the Institute for which you are applying.
Current or projected extent of the U.S. Studies content of the course(s) and materials being taught or intend to develop. What U.S. topic do you currently teach and how long have you been teaching U.S. Studies.
Likely relevance of the program to your professional duties.
The potential impact of your participation in the program on the development of the study of the U.S. at your institution or school system (in terms of enhanced teaching and curricula).
(The statement constitutes a crucial element in your application).
Please enclose:
- Your full CV (in English if readily available, if not in Spanish)
- A support letter from your immediate supervisor endorsing your candidacy. The letter may be written in Spanish and should be addressed to:
Mr. Christopher Teal, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate, Guadalajara
