Center for Social Concerns

Lives in the Balance - Youth, Violence, and Society Seminar

CSC 33980

Seminar Learning Agreement

Immersion Dates: During fall break; dates to be announced
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Size: 12 students
Cost: $250
Application Deadline: To be announced.
Application:  (the online application will be availible later this summer)

Seminar Instructors:
Kim Overdyck, M.A., LL.B
Jay Brandenberger, Ph.D

Student Coordinators:
To be decided

Overview
This seminar examines the world of youth impacted by violence, either as victims or as perpetrators, with a focus on Indiana. This seminar is the result of a partnership between the Center for Social Concerns and the Indianapolis Peace Institute.

The class will meet for three sessions before leaving for Indianapolis. During the week of immersion, you will be residing at the Peace House – the residential component of the Indianapolis Peace Institute which is situated in downtown Indianapolis – and visiting with various youth related organizations, government entities and officials, and schools.

Topics you will explore include:-

• the juvenile justice system,
• the education system,
• illegal immigration, human trafficking and slavery,
• the impact of violence on the development of youth, and
• the role of irresponsible environmental practices on youth.

Central throughout these topics will be advocacy work that is being done in these areas and what role participants could play in bringing about change. Participants will also be looking at various solutions that are already in place around these issues. Readings and written analyses will augment the direct learning experience.

Course Objectives

• For participants to experience the realities of youth who are exposed to and impacted by violence, from the youth perspective. To also meet the individuals and organizations who are working to bring about change.

• To increase awareness of the magnitude of this problem and it’s impact on generations to come.

• To provide participants with the opportunity to interact with students from different disciplines around an issue in which they have a keen interest - to be exposed to the thoughts of the different disciplines.

• To provide students with the opportunity to reflect upon how their own vocations might include working to bring about change for youth impacted by violence.

Course Requirements

This Seminar is a one-credit psychology course graded "S" or "U". To receive an "S" grade, the following must be completed in a satisfactory manner:

• The participant must attend and participate in all required orientation and follow-up classes. Participants must obtain prior permission for an absence from the staff and student coordinators.
• Read the assigned readings and submit half page reactions to the readings at class.
• Participate in the meetings and activities in Indianapolis – each student will be assigned a day where they will be responsible for leading the meeting/s with the various community organizations.
• Participants are required to write a 5 to 6 page reflection paper as part of the learning experience. Please see paper guidelines for more information (this will be given during one of the orientation sessions).

Application Process

• Online application deadline is Thursday, August 28, 2008 (the online application will be availible later this summer). 
• Saint Mary's College Students:  When the online application is made available, instructions for you will be posted here.
• By completing the application, you are agreeing to all requirements of the Lives in the Balance - Youth, Violence, and Society seminar.
• All applicants will be notified regarding the seminar selection by email 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 student in good standing at the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College and Holy Cross College. Students are to conduct themselves according to the policies listed in DU LAC.
• Admittance to the seminar is based on a variety of factors. An open mind, enthusiasm, a willingness to learn from others, and a keen interest in the learning goals of this seminar are the primary criteria for the selection.
• We have a limited number of spots available. Students who complete their applications 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 the 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. Contact the Assistant Dean's office of your College if you are over the maximum number of credit hours allowed by your College. There may be specific dates when your Dean gives special approval; find out what these dates are. You must register by the end of the day September 3.

Fees and Expenses
The cost of the seminar is $250. This fee will be assessed through Student Accounts. This fee contributes to transportation, housing, site fees, speakers, activities and meals. Personal and entertainment expenses are the responsibility of each student. If you are accepted into the seminar, and you decide not to participate in the seminar before September 5th, 2008, your student account will be billed a $40 cancellation fee. If you are accepted into the seminar, and you decide not to participate in the seminar after September 5th, your student account will be billed the full $200. (This is necessary because the Center has pre-paid many of the expenses of the seminar based on your acceptance into the program, and your acceptance may have precluded someone else from participating).

***Limited financial aid is available. To apply for financial aid, please contact Sally Burns.

Withdrawal from the Course

Please notify the Seminar Director as soon as possible if extenuating circumstances prevent your participation in the seminar.

• A withdrawal - for any reason - after September 3rd requires you to fill out an Academic Course Change Form signed by the instructor, advisor, and Dean. Forms are available at the CSC. Drops made after October 31 or 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: Youth, Violence, and Society Seminar Class I  7:00-8:30 pm. Location TBA

Tues., Sept 30

REQUIRED: Youth, Violence, and Society Seminar Class II  7:00-8:30 pm. Location TBA

Tues., Oct 7

REQUIRED: Youth, Violence, and Society Class III  7:00-8:30 pm. Location TBA

Thurs., Oct 16

Seminar Send-Off Mass

Sun. Oct. 19 – Fri. Oct. 24
Immersion in Indianapolis

Tues., Nov 4

REQUIRED: Youth, Violence, and Society Seminar Class IV  7:00-8:30 pm. Location TBA