2008 Call for Nominations

Deadline:

• January 15, 2008 for deans to nominate Summer Seminar Participants

The MU Council on International Initiatives is pleased to announce the tenth year of the Global Scholars Program, a faculty curriculum development project that encourages faculty to internationalize their courses.  The Global Scholars Project received the Andrew Heiskell award in 2002 from the Institute of International Education.  The award honors the campus’s efforts to expand its international curriculum. 

This year, CII is collaborating with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to offer MU faculty the option of two summer seminars: Mongolia (June 1-11) or Peru (May 29-June 8).

Global Scholars 2008 Summer Seminars.

• Mongolia - Empire and Democracy (June 1-11, 2008) . The establishment of the Mongol Empire is one of the most important events in world history, and Mongolia is the only former Soviet-bloc state in Asia to have successfully developed a functioning democratic political system and market economy. In spite of this, the predominant and persistent view of the Mongolians and the Mongol Empire remains one of barbaric conquerors. Providing educators the opportunity to learn about Mongolia firsthand can contribute to a more nuanced portrayal of Chinggis Khaan and the Mongol Empire, as well as a greater understanding of the dynamics of Asian empires and an appreciation of Asian cultures generally.
  
  The seminar will allow participants to visit many of the historical sites associated with Chinggis Khan (popularly spelled Genghis Khan) and the Mongol Empire to develop a greater understanding of the context and geography that led to the Mongol's conquest of much of Eurasia, a subject of growing, yet still underrepresented academic and popular interest. The seminar will also introduce participants to contemporary Mongolia to explore how Mongolians have sought to reconcile the heritage of Chinggis Khaan, who founded the great Mongol State in 1206, with the demands of the modern world and their experience transitioning from Communism to democracy and a market economy.
• A Fusion of Identities: Exploring Peru's Complex Past, Present and Future (May 29-June 8, 2008) . To say 'Peru' is to conjure up many different images relating to its ancient history (Pre-Columbian Civilizations) and its more recent troubled history (Shining Path, Fujimori, Cocaine Industry). Experience Peru's present firsthand and how changes have affected Peruvian's perception of themselves and their country in the first decade of the new millennium. From the national economy to the informal sector, explore how Peru's expanding global economy is expected to impact the future of poverty and equality within its borders. The seminar will take place both in Lima and in Cusco and will include a trip to Machu Picchu.
  
  This 11-day seminar begins in Lima (6 nights) and ends in Cusco (4 nights). Round-trip group travel by air from Lima to Cusco is included in the seminar fee. Seminar participants should plan to fly home (or on to further travels) after the seminar from Lima.

Deans are authorized to select the participants based on curriculum considerations in their respective colleges and schools.  The Provost requests that funding not be awarded to persons who have received GSP funding in previous years. The colleges/schools with teaching responsibilities and curriculum development priorities are invited to participate: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Arts and Science; Business; Education; Engineering; Health Professions; Public Affairs; Human Environmental Sciences; Journalism; Law; Medicine; Nursing; Veterinary Medicine; and the Libraries.

Space in these seminars is limited and nominees will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.  In particular, nominations for scholars who wish to participate in the Mongolia program should be forwarded to us as soon as possible.

I. Suggested Criteria for Selecting Global Scholars Participants:

• The faculty member’s role in teaching essential courses in the undergraduate and/or graduate curriculum in department/division.
• Openness to internationalize a course or courses – e.g., to blend a global component into the focus of a course, to systematically involve international students into the classroom discussion.
• Willingness to become part of a mentoring corps for expanding the internationalization of courses at MU – e.g., mentoring other faculty, raising the global awareness of students by encouraging study abroad and foreign language study.

II. Performance Criteria for Global Scholars Faculty:

• Submit a revised undergraduate or graduate course with new international content and analysis. The revised course syllabus will be submitted to CII as a model for future participants.
• Participate in Global Scholars activities, such as pre-departure orientation for the summer seminars and in the teaching workshops. Become involved in developing international opportunities for students (study abroad, international programming, support for foreign student exchange, foreign language study).
• Be involved in expanding the international knowledge base of academic advising in support of study abroad, foreign language study, international residential living (Pangaea, foreign language floors, Freshman Interest Groups, etc.)
• All participants must agree to participate in follow-up workshops on campus to share good practices in internationalizing undergraduate courses.

Please send all nominations no later than January 15 2008 to:

If you have questions, please contact Jim Scott (882-6008).