Learning Agreement

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Border Issues Seminar Learning Agreement

Introduction:

This Social Concerns Seminar in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez will be a six-day immersion experience to explore immigration from a variety of perspectives.

The seminar will include observation of the role of the Annunciation House and its affiliate refugee houses in the border community. There will be dialogue with members of the community and parish organizations to better understand, from theological and interdisciplinary perspectives, the Church's role as it relates to immigration, the faith of the immigrants and the Church's role in their lives. The immersion will include participation in a celebration of Mass on Sunday in Juarez.

Seminar participants will visit immigration-related sites such as border patrol posts, colonias, and maquilas, and will explore legal aspects of the immigration process.

Participants are encouraged but not required to know some Spanish and ideally to be able to converse. Most of the presentations will be in English and the reflection sessions will be in English. However, the ability to converse and interact with family members and others in El Paso/Ciudad Juarez both in Spanish and English will enhance the experience. The Mass on Sunday will be in Spanish.

The seminar is offered through the Center for Social Concerns in collaboration with Annunciation House. Annunciation House will provide an on-site coordinator and host. Michelle Saucedo, an ND student will serve as the seminar coordinator. Dan Allen of Campus Ministry will oversee the ND preparation, coordination and follow-up.

The seminar is a one-credit hour course (THEO 33966/ILS 30804 01/CST 33966 01/CSC 33966) graded "S" or "U." Course requirements include: required attendance at the preparatory sessions (see calendar), assigned readings; participation in the meetings and activities in El Paso/Ciudad Juarez; one January follow-up meeting; and a 5-page typed reflection paper. All written requirements are to be completed by on a predetermined date in January.

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 facilitate 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)

Objectives:

To examine some of the social, cultural, and international forces operative in El Paso/Ciudad Juarez and similar border towns through discussion, readings, and written reflection.
To build a community of learners fostering flexibility, faith reflection, leadership development, and student-directed experiential learning through shared conversation and involvement with members of the border community.
To study the various forces and values functioning in the lives of the people of the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez border community through direct involvement with local individuals during the immersion.
To make a commitment to preparation sessions and evaluations, to share the learning experience with the University community, to exploring service possibilities after returning.

Criteria for Participation:

Background experience, enthusiasm for, and expressed interest in, the seminar and its objectives are the primary criteria for selection. There will also be an attempt to have diversity among the participants. Background of participants in Spanish will be preferable. There will also be some preference toward persons who have a special interest in continuing studies related to the issues in their program of study.

This is a program open to any student in good standing at the University of Notre Dame. Students are to conduct themselves according to the policies listed in DuLac. Waiver forms and health insurance are required (see application and waiver forms). Some preference will also be given to juniors and seniors. A valid passport, government issued ID, or birth certificate is required for this seminar.

Application and Registration:

The seminar application must be completed by November 2 , 2007 at midnight. When you apply for the course, you are agreeing to complete all the steps in this Learning Agreement and to abide by the rules of DuLac during the seminar. You will be notified whether or not you have been accepted into the seminar by email. You will also receive instructions on how to register.

Saint Mary’s College students are eligible to apply for participation in CSC seminars. As with participation in other Notre Dame classes, you must first fill out the SMC at ND CoExchange Form (under "CoExchange Information"). This must be done before applying. Note that the deadline for filling out this form to take a Winter 09 (during Christmas break 08-09) or Spring 09 seminar is Fall break, 2008. Fill out the CoExchange Form now, even if you have taken a class at ND before, are not sure what class you will take, or whether or not you will take one. This form does not commit you to taking a class, but it will establish your Notre Dame Net ID (sent to you in an email), which you will need to log on to the seminar application. It will also give you the date/time to register if you do apply and are accepted. For questions contact Sally Burns, Seminar Assistant.

Fees & Expenses:

The cost of the seminar is $150. This fee will be assessed through Student Accounts sometime between January 1st and 15th, 2008. This fee contributes to van rental, housing, site fees, building materials, gas, tolls, and food. Personal expenses are the responsibility of each student. Please note that you will be responsible for transportation to and from El Paso. If you are accepted into the seminar your student account will be charged a $40 fee even if you drop the course. If you decide not to participate in the seminar after November 9 , 2007, your student account will be billed the full $150 seminar fee. (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). A valid passport, government issued ID, or birth certificate is required for this seminar.

***Limited financial aid is available.***

Preparation/Follow-Up:

There are required preparation sessions. You must be able to attend all orientation and follow-up meetings. The determined dates are November 7, November 14, and November 28, 2007 and January 16, 2008. Specific times and dates to be determined. Grades will appear on the May 2008 grade report.

Personal Vehicle Use & Insurance Coverage:

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.