Deadline: 30-Dec-21
The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros solicits applications for the 2022 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Scholars to provide foreign university lecturers and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions.
The ultimate goal of the Institute is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad.
This is a fully funded program for mid-career professionals. The Institutes for Secondary Educators are open to teachers of English, teachers of other subjects in English, and administrators. The Institutes for Scholars are open to university lecturers in a range of topics. All Institutes will provide training to enhance or introduce aspects of U.S. studies into participants’ programs of study.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars will take place at various colleges, universities, and academic institutions throughout the United States over the course of six weeks beginning in or after June 2022. Each Institute includes a four-week academic residency component and up to two weeks of an integrated study tour to another region of the United States.
Exact dates for the program will be determined at a later time. The Institutes will be conducted as traditional in-person programs at U.S. host institutions. Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the programs will pivot to a modified virtual format.
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars will be held in the following themes in U.S. Studies: American Culture and Values; Journalism and Media; Religious Pluralism in the United States; U.S. Economics and Business; U.S. Foreign Policy; and Workforce Development.
Themes
- The Institute on American Culture and Values will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign university faculty and other specialists with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions.
- The Institute on Journalism and Media will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly motivated foreign journalism instructors and other related specialists with a deeper understanding of the role that journalism and the media play in U.S. society.
- The Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States will provide a multinational group of up to 18 experienced foreign university faculty, scholars, researchers and religious leaders with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of religious pluralism in the United States and its intersection with American democracy.
- The Institute on U.S. Economics and Business will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced foreign university faculty, researchers, experts and policymakers with a deeper understanding of key components and structures of the U.S. economy.
- The Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced foreign university faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of new approaches to U.S. foreign policy and how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented.
- The Institute on Workforce Development will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced foreign faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of how recent socioeconomic trends have changed the concept of work, workforce development, and career paths in the United States.
Requirements and Restrictions
- All participants are expected to participate fully in the program. Candidates should be aware that they are applying for an intensive program and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The Institute is not a research program. Participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends may not accompany participants on any part of the program. Please note that Institute curriculum will not formally address teaching methodology and pedagogical methods. If the program is conducted virtually, the same participation requirements apply.
- Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the SUSI will pivot to a virtual format. The virtual program will consist of a minimum of 36 hours of required programming and will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. To the extent possible, the virtual programming will include lectures, small group discussions, videos, readings, panels, site visits, assignments, and individual and group activities. Participants are required to fully participate in the entire virtual program from their home location outside the United States.
Qualifications
- Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars are highly competitive. Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with U.S. studies focus or component; who have no prior or limited experience in the United States; and who have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties.
- Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly motivated, experienced scholars and professionals generally from institutions of higher education or research-focused organizations (not-for-profits, think tanks, etc.). While the educational level of participants will likely vary, most should have graduate degrees and have substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the Institute or a related field. Ideal candidates are individuals whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop new courses in the subject of the Institute, to enhance and update existing courses on the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for professionals in U.S. studies areas related to the program theme. While the nominee’s scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, the potential impact and multiplier effect from their participation in the Institute is equally important.
- Ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience in the United States. Candidates must demonstrate English language fluency. Institutes are rigorous and demanding academic programs conducted entirely in English.
- Participants will be expected to read and comprehend substantial written materials and assignments in English and to fully and actively participate in all seminar and panel discussions. English fluency is vital to a successful experience in the Institute, for participants as individuals and to foster a cohesive and interactive group.
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible for these programs.
For more information, visit https://mg.usembassy.gov/susi-2022-call-for-application/