Appalachia Seminar

THEO 33950/CSC 33950

Seminar Learning Agreement

Immersion Dates: Sunday, October 19-Saturday, October 25, 2008

Size: 225-250 students
Cost: $250
Application Deadline: Thursday, August 28

Application: (the online application will be availible later this summer)

Seminar Director: Angela Miller McGraw

Appalachia Seminar Sites (All sites may not be available this semester)

View Map of Appalachia Sites

Description of Sites

Course Overview
The goal of the Appalachia Seminar is to introduce students to the culture and social issues of the Appalachia region through community-based learning. The course provides the opportunity for active participation in the community and direct relationship with Appalachian people. Exploration begins in the orientation classes where students become acquainted with the history, culture, and challenges facing the region (through presentations, discussions, and selected readings). During the week in Appalachia students learn from individuals and community-based organizations (focusing on housing, education, health, and the environment). The follow-up classes facilitate analysis and synthesis of insights gained during the week.

Course Objectives

1. To reflect upon and analyze the social, political, economic, religious and cultural forces operative in Appalachia through class presentations, discussions, and readings.
2. To gain an understanding of Catholic Social Teaching through examination of the Appalachian Bishops’ Pastoral At Home in the Web of Life and other readings.
3. To study the various forces and values functioning in the lives of the people of Appalachia through direct involvement with local people during the immersion.
4. To integrate insights gained during the service experience regarding the Appalachia region and its culture with their own lives through group discussions and a written reflection paper.   

Course Requirements
This Seminar is a one-credit Theology course or CSC course (THEO 33950/CSC 33950), graded "S" or "U". To receive an "S" grade, students must complete the following in a satisfactory manner:

• Attend and participate in all required orientation and follow-up classes.
• If you have a conflict due to ROTC, folk choir or lab, feel free to apply, but you will need approval from both instructors to attend 2 out of 3 classes or to make alternative arrangements.
• Do not apply if you cannot commit to attending CSC's evening classes. We do not hold makeup classes.
• Complete all readings and written class assignments.
• Participate in all group activities prior to and during the week in Appalachia.
• Complete two writing assignments prior to the immersion and a final integration paper after the immersion experience in Appalachia. Writing guidelines will be sent out after admission is confirmed. The writing requirement may be  fulfilled by completing a special project or group project. A written proposal for special or group projects must be approved by the Seminar Director.

Application Process

• Online application deadline is Thursday, August 28 (the online application will be availible later this summer). 
• Saint Mary's College students must contact Sally Burns for application and registration instructions.
• By completing the application, you are agreeing to all requirements of the Appalachia Seminar.
• All applicants will be notified regarding seminar selection by email on or before the first Sunday of the semester (Sunday, August 31, 2008). If you are applying to more than one seminar, you will receive a single email noting whether or not you have been selected to participate, and the name of the seminar you will be taking part in.

Criteria for Selection

• The seminar is open to any undergraduate or graduate student in good standing at the University of Notre Dame or Saint Mary's College.   Admittance to the seminar is based on a variety of factors.  The primary criterion is expressed interest in the course objectives and aims of the seminar. 
• We have a limited number of spots available.  Students who submit their application later than others may be placed on a wait list. Preference will be given to upper class students who may have fewer opportunities to participate in the future.

Course Registration

• You will receive email notification on a) whether you have been selected to participate in a seminar and b) which seminar you have been selected to participate in (this circumstance applies if you have applied to more than one seminar).  Subsequently, the course instructor will email instructions on course registration, and you will need to register within the first seven days of the semester.
• Contact the Assistant Dean's office of your College if you are over the maximum number of credit hours allowed by your College or if you have a class time conflict.  The assistant deans of your college will be able to grant special approval.

Fees and Expenses/Transportation

• The cost of the seminar is $250. This fee will be assessed through Student Accounts after September 5th.  This fee contributes to van rental (University uses 7-passenger vans), housing, site fees, building materials, gas, tolls, and food.   Personal expenses are the responsibility of each student. Students will be responsible for their meals while they travel to and from the site. A food allowance of $25 per participant will be given to those sites where meals are not provided.
  

• If you are accepted and you decide not to participate before September 5th, your student account will be charged a $40 cancellation fee. If you are accepted and you decide not to participate in the seminar after September 5th, your student account will be billed the full $250. (This is necessary because the Center has pre-paid expenses based on your selection in the course, which may have precluded someone else from participating.)
• Limited financial aid is available. To apply for financial aid, please contact Sally Burns.
• Note to students/faculty/staff regarding the use of personal vehicles:  If a personal vehicle is used during this seminar,  the vehicle owner acknowledges and represents that the personal vehicle is adequately insured and that in the event of an automobile accident, the personal automobile insurance will respond as primary insurance coverage.  In addition, the personal automobile insurance should provide coverage for any physical damage (comprehensive and/or collision) loss which may occur to the vehicle. The University will not respond to any claim for damages to the vehicle, whether insured or not insured, including deductibles.

Lodging, Meals and Transportation

• Lodging options vary among the sites. Ocassionally students will stay with a family, at a church or in a location that requires additional travel time between it and the community work site. It is typical that the community agency would provide lodging near to the central site. Site contact information can be accessed at the site descriptions webpage. 
• Most sites provide meals as part of the lodging fee. In the case that food is not provided, a food allowance of $25 per participant will be given to the site team to purchase groceries. Students will be responsible for their meals while they travel to and from the site (approximately $25).
• Students who receive University Driver's Training drive the site team to the site using 7-passenger mini vans. Vans are rented through local rental agencies and are regularly serviced.

Withdrawal from the Course

• Please notify the Seminar Director if extenuating circumstances prevent your participation in the seminar. Final day to drop is Friday, September 5th. To withdraw from this course, an Academic Course change form (obtained from the Center for Social Concerns), must be completed and signed by the Center's Director of the Appalachia Seminar. Saint Mary's students must complete the SMC drop-slip, signed by the student's academic advisor and the Director of Appalachia Seminar, and processed through the SMC Registrar.
• Drops after September 5th and failure to follow proper withdrawal from course procedures will automatically result in a grade of “U.”   

Calendar Fall 2008

Thurs., Aug. 28
Online application deadline (the online application will be availible later this summer).

Sun., Aug. 31
Acceptance confirmed by email.  If you apply to more than one seminar, you will receive ONE email for the seminar you have been admitted into.

Wed., Sept 3

Last date to register. You must register with ND's online system and/or complete all registration forms by midnight.

Fri., Sept. 5
Final day to withdraw from course without penalty of being charged full fee.

Tues., Sept 23

REQUIRED: Appalachia Seminar Class I  7:00-8:30 pm. DBRT 101

Tues., Sept 30

REQUIRED: Appalachia Seminar Class II  7:00-8:30 pm. DBRT 101

Tues., Oct 7

REQUIRED: Appalachia Seminar Class III  7:00-8:30 pm. DBRT 101

Thurs., Oct 16

Seminar Send-Off Mass

Sun., Oct 19
Depart at 6:30 am unless other instructions have been given to your site. Meet at A15 parking lot behind Keenan-Stanford Halls/Health Center and near to St. Michael’s Laundry.

Sat., Oct. 25
Students return to ND late in the afternoon/evening.

Tues., Nov 4

REQUIRED: Appalachia Seminar Class IV  7:00-8:30 pm. DBRT 101