International Summer Service Learning: Center for Social Concerns

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ISSLP 2010: THEO 33938 / THEO 33970

Please review the Learning Agreement below before accessing the online application (link at the bottom of the page).

By applying for the program, you are agreeing to the terms in the below agreement.

*Please note: Unfortunately, the ISSLP does not accept applications from Graduate students. Also, the ISSLP is not open to Seniors UNLESS they will be registered Graduate Students in the Fall, OR are 5th year Architecture students, due to the follow up requirements in the Fall. Post-Graduate opportunities can be explored at the Center through Mike Hebbeler, Program Director, Student Leadership and Senior Transitions.

Please direct inquiries to:

Nicole Bourbon

Summer Programs Assistant

nbourbon@nd.edu

(574)631-9403

INFORMATION SESSIONS:

Location: Geddes Hall, Fr. Don McNeill Library

Tuesday	September 15	6:00–7:00 p.m.
Wednesday	September 23	6:00–7:00 p.m.
Monday	September 28	6:00–7:00 p.m.
Thursday	October 8	6:00–7:00 p.m.
Tuesday	October 13	6:00–7:00 p.m.
Wednesday	October 28	6:00–7:00 p.m.

ISSLP Site Directory, Application, and Forms —Application is now closed.

INTRODUCTION

Despite dramatic changes throughout the world, we continue to see a widening economic disparity between the rich and the poor. The lack of basic resources, access to health, education, and employment, remain a challenge for developing and non-industrialized nations. In nations marred by political conflict and violence, efforts of peace, reconciliation, and democratization are slow with its affects seen most clearly in the lives of the poor.

As we continue to face these and other global concerns, the need to educate students about their responsibility in our global community becomes ever apparent. It becomes increasingly important to educate students willing to examine causes of poverty and to create links of solidarity across borders.

In the summer of 1998, the Center for Social Concerns initiated the International Summer Service- Learning Program (ISSLP) with these and other hopes. This program is built on the marvelous tradition of domestic and international summer service projects developed by the Community of International Lay Apostolate (CILA) and the Center for Social Concerns.

The ISSLP seeks to provide international service-learning experiences in social concerns inspired by Gospel values and Catholic social teachings. The Center shares in the University’s mission to create an environment of teaching and learning that cultivate “a disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice and oppression that burden the lives of so many. The aim is to create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good that will bear fruit as learning becomes service to justice" (The Mission Statement of the University of Notre Dame).

GENERAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

To challenge students who have had domestic service-learning experiences to encounter international realities and to provide them the opportunity to work with and learn from the poor and marginalized in international settings.
To educate students willing to examine causes of poverty and injustice and to create links of solidarity across borders in response to the Notre Dame/ Center for Social Concerns mission "to serve and act for a more just and humane world.”
To provide students the opportunity to work with persons and grass roots groups working to address the needs of the poor and marginalized and to learn from those who raise questions and share insights about the social, political, economic, religious and cultural forces operative in the international setting.
To contribute to the continuing value and experiential justice education and leadership development of students, alumni/ae, and educators related to the Notre Dame global community.

COURSE LEARNING GOALS

Students will gain an understanding of the multi-dimensionality of poverty in the developing world, analyze root causes, and identify strategies for social development (poverty alleviation).
Students will gain an understanding of international social issues in light of Catholic Social Teaching (specifically through the themes of Solidarity and Preferential Option for the Poor).
Students will strengthen their cross-cultural competencies

PARTNERSHIPS

The Center for Social Concerns seeks to partner with church-based, non-governmental, and community-based organizations that are addressing the needs of the poor and marginalized in developing countries or areas of political conflict throughout the world. The ISSLP and the Center for Social Concerns collaborates with various offices, departments, centers and institutes of the University.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

In addition to committing eight weeks at an ISSLP partner site, students are required to:

• Register and participate in the ISSLP Orientation Program Spring 2010 (THEO 33970: International Issues Seminar). This 1.0 credit course (graded S/U) is mandatory for all ISSLP participants. Includes weekly classes, special training sessions, and a weekend long cross-cultural training workshop/retreat. Starting January 14, 2010 classes meet weekly 6:30-7:45 pm on Thursdays. Other public lectures scheduled during other days of week as noted in syllabus. The cross-cultural training workshop/retreat is scheduled for the weekend of March 20-21, 2010. Other weekend training sessions and dates to be determined. Students who will be abroad Spring 2010 will not enroll in the 1.0 credit course, but are still required to follow along with the 1.0 credit course via email and to complete the summer academic requirements listed below.

• Complete all orientation/pre-departure, summer, and re-entry readings and writing assignments determined by the site and the CSC.

• Keep a journal.

• Write a final integrative paper.

• Register for the 3.0 credit THEO 33938: Summer Service Learning: International which includes the eight-week summer “service-learning internship” and related academic requirements and the fall re-entry program and related academic requirements.

• Participate in ISSLP re-entry sessions during fall 2010 and re-entry retreat (August 29, 2010).

• (Optional) Enroll for 1.0 credit directed readings or mini-course related to country.

• Help to develop and evaluate the ISSLP.

• Recruit future participants and participate in the selection process.

• Make at least one presentation integrating and sharing your experience.

Please refer to ISSLP course packet for further details on the academic requirements of the course. When all requirements are satisfied, the students will earn 1.0 credit in THEO 33970: International Issues Seminar (graded S/U) and 3.0 credits in THEO 33938: Summer Service Learning: International (graded S/U) and a social concerns award of $1,000.00 (prorated if less than eight weeks).

ACADEMIC INTEGRATION

Prior to departure, students are encouraged to investigate the opportunity to explore the integration of the ISSLP with a one or three credit independent study, directed reading, or related course in their major/ department or with a faculty member in an appropriate area of study.

APPLICATION & REGISTRATION

Application deadline is November 1, 2009. Prior participation in Center programs or prior international travel is not required. Strong candidates for the ISSLP are those who have had a fair amount of domestic service-learning experience, or demonstrated leadership or individual service-learning initiative, or involvement with Center for Social Concerns' courses and programs. The selection process involves finding a “match” of the site’s mission and work needs with a student’s academic interest, coursework, prior service-learning and leadership experience, and site work interest. The students we offer positions to within the ISSLP are the best pairing of these factors.

Selection for interviews will be based on the written application. Students will be notified by email of their status for interviews by November 17. If accepted to interview for the program, interviews will take place from 12 Noon to 10:00 PM on Sunday, November 22 Students will be notified of acceptance into the program via email and formal letter of invitation over the holiday break. Once accepted into the program, students will be expected to commit their participation in writing no later than December 30, 2009. Students accepted into the ISSLP must register for courses, THEO 33970: International Issues Seminar (spring semester 2010) and THEO 33938: Summer Service Learning: International (fall semester 2010), through InsideND. For students who are accepted into the program but will be abroad in the spring semester prior to their ISSLP, it is expected that they follow the course requirements for THEO 33970 as best as they are able from abroad but they will not be receiving credit for the course.

EXPENSES

The ISSLP provides the student with a social concerns award of $1,000.00 (prorated if less than eight weeks). This social concerns award is to be used to supplement basic food and lodging not already provided with the site placement, local/in country travel, vaccinations, passports, travel visas, and related travel expenses incurred during the eight-week internship. The ISSLP pays for the student’s roundtrip airfare to and from the country (based on least expensive fare from student’s home state or designated point of departure), basic food and lodging associated with the site placement, international health and medical evacuation insurance and any applicable site fees. Travel arrangements will be coordinated by Anthony Travel and the Center for Social Concerns. Costs associated with travel outside of the 8 week service-learning placement are the students’ financial responsibility. A $100.00 program deposit/materials fee is required with the contact of participation.

CALENDAR 2009 - 2010

September 15 Applications available

September - October Weekly information sessions at the CSC

November 1 Application deadline

November 22 Interviews

December 17-22 Candidates notified of acceptance or waitlist status

December 30 Participation contracts due

January 14 First ISSLP class session 6:30-7:45 PM

January 20 Last day for course change

January - April Orientation Sessions and Weekend Retreat (March 20-21)

May - August Service-learning placements in progress

August - September Follow-up course or 4 sessions; Weekend Retreat (August 29)