2010-2011 Academic Salons Local Immersion Program
On behalf of the Academic Salons program, I invite you to submit a proposal for an innovative opportunity to create, coordinate and facilitate a half day to day long local community immersion program for Seattle University students around the 2010-11 Salons theme of “Community, Youth, and Justice.” The purpose for this new program is to explore with Seattle University students the multiple and complex dimensions of community, youth and justice in the local Seattle area. By exploring through site visit, dialogue, listening and engagement, students should gain critical insight into the cultural, economic, educational, health, political, religious, and/or social realities of youth in our neighborhood. In so doing, they will be better equipped to understand how we can best learn and serve others with competence, sensitivity and respect.
By participating in a local community immersion program, students will have the opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom and relate that knowledge to real world experiences. They will learn how to become just and humane leaders through dialogue and personal interaction with youth, community activists and service providers. Students who participate in a local community immersion program with you will also be introduced to your particular discipline’s unique perspectives and methodologies and how your particular department or program relates to the larger issue of social justice.
The Academic Salons Advisory Board will select four proposals. Faculty whose proposals are selected and who facilitate this immersion opportunity will receive a modest stipend of $200.00 upon completion of the event.
Submission Requirements:
Please submit a one and a half to two page proposal outlining your proposed program. The proposal should include the following:
Proposed visitation site, speakers, and date of the site visit. Please note what connections you already have with the speaker and/or site to demonstrate feasibility of the project.
Main objectives of the half-day/day long immersion program and how the program relates to the Academic Salons theme of “Community, Youth and Justice.” What do you wish for students to get out of this experience?
Description of how you will provide opportunities for students to reflect upon their immersion program and in what format you will make these reflections available for the wider public (eg., you could have students submit a written reflection that can be collected and sent to Academic Salons for its website).
Overall budget for the program including transportation, meals (up to $200 total), materials for students, donations/charitable contributions if needed for speaker and/or organization.
Brief mention of how many students you would like to bring (ideally 8-10) and how you plan to recruit students and how Academic Salons can best help you accomplish this task.
Academic Salons administrative support will include: logistical help with van rentals, campus announcements, and reimbursements.
I encourage you to take this unique opportunity to introduce Seattle University students to what really matters in the city by having them listen, learn and engage. This program will also be a great opportunity for you to introduce students to the significant work of your own departments and programs.
Sincerely,
Sharon A. Suh, Ph.D.
Director, Academic Salons
suhs@seattleu.edu