Best Practices Conference in June, 2001

Participants:

• Susan Dagit
• Judy Peterson
• Thomas Sienkewicz

Project Title: Strategy for integrating international studies with long-term curricular vision

Project Description:

The purpose for this proposed project is to develop an organized, overarching strategy through which international studies can be effectively and seamlessly integrated into a long-term comprehensive curricular vision. There are two facets of our proposed initiative- strengthening on-campus curricular globalization efforts, and developing a multi- and interdisciplinary study abroad experience that takes campus study ‘into the world' by offering a new kind of opportunity attractive to students who have previously not considered studying abroad. With regard to off-campus study, it is our goal to develop an international study experience that is attractive to students who would not generally pursue studying abroad. Therefore, at least initially, we are looking to design a three-week site-based study opportunity that provides multi-disciplinary courses of study, including sciences as well as humanities.

A key element to this three-week study abroad will be the interdisciplinary focus. Although there will be a requirement for minimum language competency/fluency, language development will be an element- and not the primary goal- of the experience. That said, the languages that Monmouth College can support through majors, minors, and language for travelers, will be a determining factor in our choice of locations for establishing the site. Required pre-departure sessions will prepare students and faculty for cultural differences and ensure that each has a working knowledge of the target language. In the event that site-based coursework will require vocabulary specific to certain areas of science, business, etc., this, too, will be incorporated into the pre-departure sessions agenda/syllabus. Post-return sessions will also be scheduled. Faculty members who taught at the international site will facilitate these sessions. The sessions will most likely be scheduled at the end of the summer and just prior to the beginning of the fall semester. They will be used to frame the international study experience with regard to how it contributes to, enriches, and impacts each student's total undergraduate experience. Any papers required as part of the coursework can be shared/presented at this time. Students will earn as much as three semester hours of credit for intensive study over the three weeks, including pre-departure and post-return sessions.

Participants:

Name: Susan Dagit

Title: Director of Advancement for Corporate/Foundation Grants

E-mail: sdagit@monm.edu

Biographical Information: Since coming to Monmouth College as a grants officer three years ago, I've been involved in writing proposals for projects ranging from building renovations and equipment acquisitions to scholarship endowments and our current Curriculum Enhancement Initiative (see our web page department.monm.edu/grant_info/ for more information on recent awards.) I work within the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of College Relations. My primary role is matching curricular and campus visions with funding opportunities to effect educational enrichment. I'm looking forward to learning about effective practices in internationalizing liberal arts curricula, and how I can facilitate that process at Monmouth College. Prior to being a grants officer, I was Prevention Education Coordinator for an Illinois Educational Service Region of twelve school districts for seven years, responsible for developing a comprehensive K-12 program. Preceding that tenure, I taught high school French for twelve years. There, I sponsored the French Club, which participated in many activities with an international students' organization at a nearby university. I also helped organize the first student trips abroad from the high school.

Name: Judy Peterson

Title: Assistant Professor of Political Economy and Commerce

E-mail: jpeterso@monm.edu

Biographical Information:

Name: Thomas Sienkewicz

Title: International Studies Coordinator & Professor of Classics

E-mail: toms@monm.edu

Biographical Information: Tom Sienkewicz has been Capron Professor of Classics at Monmouth College since 1984. In 1992-93 he was the visiting professor for the ACM Florence Program and has led numerous student trips abroad. He also serves as the off-campus co-ordinator at Monmouth College, where he has helped the college develop exchange programs in Paris, Japan, and Greece.