International Summer Service Learning Program: 2008

NOTE: 2008 ENROLLMENT IS NOW CLOSED.

Please direct inquiries to:

Nicole Bourbon

Summer Programs Assistant

nbourbon@nd.edu

574-631-9403

ISSLP 2008:

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.

Application deadline: November 1, 2007

Information Sessions: October 1, 9, 15, 30

6:00 - 7:00 pm
Center for Social Concerns Lounge

 

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 remains the challenge for developing and non-industrialized nations. In nations marred by political conflict and violence, efforts of peace, reconciliation, and democratization are slow and its affects are 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).

The 2007-2008 school year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Center for Social Concerns, and the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Sollicitudo rei socialis (On Social Concern). Both anticipating and fulfilling John Paul’s prophetic vision, the Center for Social Concerns continues to promote solidarity on campus, in the South Bend community, across the nation, and throughout the world. Celebrate both of these remarkable anniversaries by practicing the virtue of solidarity.

 

“Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are really responsible for all.” (On Social Concern, #38)

 

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 CSC collaborates with International Studies Programs, Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies, the Alumni Association, and other departments of the University.

 

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

In addition to students spending eight weeks engaged in service-learning at an ISSLP/CSC partner site, requirements include:

• Register and participate in the ISSLP Orientation Program Spring 2007 (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 17 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 April 4-6, 2008. Other weekend training sessions and dates to be determined. (Students who will be abroad Spring 2008 will not enroll in the 1.0 credit course, but are still required to do 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 2008 and re-entry retreat (August 30-31, 2008).
• (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 $1,100.00.

 

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 Thursday, November 1, 2007. Prior participation in CSC 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.

Students will be notified by email of their status by November 20. Selection for interviews will be based on the written application. If accepted to interview for the program, interviews will take place November 18 . 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 January 5, 2008. Students accepted into the ISSLP must register for courses, THEO 33970: International Issues Seminar (spring semester 2008) and THEO 33938: Summer Service Learning: International (fall semester 2008), through InsideND. Students will secure departmental permission through the Center for Social Concerns. 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 $1,100.00. This social concerns award is to be used to supplement food and lodging and food 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, 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 eight weeks is the students’ financial responsibility. A $100.00 program deposit/materials fee is required with the contact of participation.

CALENDAR 2007 - 2008

September 15 - Applications available
September - October - Weekly information sessions at the CSC
November 1 - Application deadline
Nov. 18 - Interviews
December 20-30 - Candidates notified of acceptance or waitlist status
January 5 - Participation contracts need to be signed and returned
January 24 - Last day for course change
January - April - Orientation Sessions and Weekend Retreat (March 14-16)
May - August - Service-learning placements in progress
August - September - Follow-up course or 4 sessions; Weekend Retreat (August 30-31)
September/October - Presentations and Information Sessions
September - December - Promote ISSLP, recruit, and select future participants

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Nicole Bourbon, nbourbon@nd.edu, (574) 631-9403

Summer Programs Assistant

Rachel Tomas Morgan, rtomasmo@nd.edu, (574) 631-9404

Director, International Service Learning & Justice Education       

ISSLP Site Directory, Application, and Forms