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Center for Social Concerns

 

Social Concerns Seminar: Appalachia

THEO 33950 / CSC 33950

Seminar Learning Agreement

Immersion Dates: Sunday, March 8-Saturday, March 14, 2008
Size: 250 students
Cost: $250
Application Deadline: Thursday, January 22, 2009

Application: Apply Online

Seminar Director: Angela Miller McGraw

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

Description of Sites

View Map of Appalachia 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

  • Apply Online. Deadline is January 22, 2009.
  • Saint Mary's College students will need to use a particular username and password to apply. Instructions are on the application page online.
  • 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 Sunday, January 25, 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.

Criteria For Selection

  • The Seminar is open to any student in good standing at the University of Notre Dame of Saint Mary's College. The primary criterion for admittance in to the seminar is expressed interest in the course objectives and aims of the course. 
  • We have a limited number of placements available. Students who submit an application later than others may be placed on a wait list. Preference may 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 for 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 (Maximum Hours Exceeded) allowed by your College. The assistant deans of your college will be able to grant special approval. Contact Sally Burns at the Center for Social Concerns if you have a class time conflict.

Fees and Expenses

  • The cost of the Seminar is $250. This fee will be assessed through Student Accounts. This fee contributes to van rental, lodging, site fees such as building materials, gas at the site, tolls, and food.
  • If you are accepted and you decide not to participate in the Seminar before the final day to drop noted on the calendar below, your student account will be charged a $40 cancellation fee.  If you are accepted and you decide not to participate in the Seminar after the final drop day, your student account will be billed the full $250. This is necessary because the Center allocates site payments based on your acceptance to the program, which may have precluded someone else from participating.
  • Limited financial aid is available. To apply for financial aid, contact Sally Burns prior to the first scheduled class.

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 Fri., Jan. 30th. 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 the final drop day and/or failure to follow proper withdrawal from course procedures will automatically result in a grade of "U."   

CALENDAR SPRING 2009

Thurs., Jan. 22, 2009
Online application deadline.

Sun., Jan. 25
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., Jan. 28
Last date to register. You must register with ND's online system by the end of the day.

Fri., Jan. 30

Final day to drop. Change of course forms must be turned into the CSC

Sun., Feb. 7
Site Leader Workshop - Attendance required for site leaders. 1:00-3:30 pm. Center for Social Concerns Conference Room B (rm. 140)

Tues., Feb. 10
REQUIRED: Appalachia Seminar Class I  7:00-8:30 pm. DBRT 101

Tues., Feb. 17
REQUIRED: Appalachia Seminar Class II  7:00-8:30 pm. DBRT 101

Tues., Feb. 24
REQUIRED: Appalachia Seminar Class III 7:00-8:30 pm. DBRT 101

Thurs., Mar. 5

Seminar Send-Off Mass, 7 pm; Alumni Hall Chapel

Sun., Mar. 8 - Sat, Mar. 14
Depart on Sunday, March 8th 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.

Tues., March 24
REQUIRED: Appalachia Seminar Class IV  7:00-8:30 pm. DBRT 101

 
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