Contemporary America: Film, Fact, Fiction

The 2010 Thanks to Scandinavia Institute in American Studies for Scandinavian Educators--our 47th year!

THE 2010 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: CONTEMPORARY AMERICA: FILM, FACT, FICTION

Is the theme for this summer's institute. As in previous institutes, the lectures and site visits will examine some of the challenges and possibilities of American Society as its 44th President, Barack Obama, tries to unite a country divided about the issues of wars in Arghanistan and Iraq, healthcare, immigration and a struggling global economy, among others. This year's program will place more emphasis on exploring how these issues are conveyed honestly or with distortion in significant films viewed by a global audience.

In lectures, readings, films, and structured discussions supportedy by on-site visits, participants will learn to appreciate the complex social fabric of the United States. Our institute, based at Luther College in Deocrah, Iowa (the state where it all began for Obama), will be framed by visits to the cities of Chicago, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The two and one-half week program emphasizes challenges, obstacles, and opportunities in contemporary American life and attempts to portray the nation and its people objectively--the successes and the failures, the problems and possible solutions.

Participants who attend at least 90 percent of program lectures and activities will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the program. A limited number of scholarship stipends are available from the Institute and from associations in the various Nordic countries.

THE LECTURES

Lectures related to the course theme are presented by faculty members from Luther College and by other area professionals and governmental leaders. 

Typical lecture topics may include:

U.S. Politics	The Black Church in America
The U.S. Education System	The Amish in America
Renewable Energy Options	American Foreign Policy
Native American Indians	Aspects of American Literature
The Social Welfare System	Religion in American Society
State and Local Government	Local and National Economy
Immigration and Cultural Diversity

LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION

The program is intended for educational professionals. Students preparing for a career in education who are in their final year of studies are also eligible to apply.

LANGUAGE

All lectures are presented in English and participants are urged to use English both in and out of class. Although this is not an ESL (English as a Second Language) program, the lectures and numerous social and cultural activities provide opportunities for discovering new aspects of American English.

TYPICAL DAY

Most lectures take place in the morning. Afternoons and evenings are usually highlighted by numerous social and recreational events.

PARTICIPANTS

The program is designed primarily for teachers and school administrators from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Annually up to 40 selected participants attend; they represent all levels of education and all types of schools, both public and private. The only requirements are an adequate speaking knowledge of English and an interest in gaining a better understanding of the United States and its people. Students who are in their final year of their teacher training are also encouraged to apply.

Spouses, partners, and participant children who are at least 12 years old are welcome to accompany program participants. They will be eligible to participate in all field trips plus social and cultural activities but not program lectures.

The TTS Institute in American Studies for Scandinavian Educators works closely with the Scandinavian foundation offices in the Nordic countries. Because final approval for program participation is determined by the foundation offices, all participants are required to contact the office in their country. (See Nordic Contacts.) These offices may also have additional information regarding the program; may be able to suggest additional stipend sources; and provide contact names of formerprogram participants.

Also see Stipend paragraph below.

EXCURSIONS

The program begins during the second week of July (July 9) in Chicago. The visit to this large, diverse city provides a valuable introduction to some of the themes covered in later lectures. The group stays together in a pleasant downtown hotel and takes a half day tour of several Chicago neighborhood and cultural sites. The Chicago visit also provides a chance to recover from jet lag, to meet other members of the group, and to do independent sightseeing in this beautiful and exciting city. (Participants are encouraged to consider arriving a few days ahead of the scheduled meetings to afford more time in this world class scity. See Links for more information on each city.)

After arrival at Luther College in Decorah, there are excursions to scenic and historic sites in the area. Included are such places as the Mississippi River and an original prairie. Additional opportunities include picnics, farm and museum visits, and community theater attendance. Most of these activities are included in the program fee.

TYPICAL FIELD TRIPS

• Chicago: An introduction to cultural facets and social perspectives

• Decorah: Her roots and present realities

• Farm Folks: The challenges and realities of living on the land

• American Schools: From the big city to rural towns

• Hayden Prairie: Roots of the past

• Effigy Mounds: The indigenous past of the Upper Midwest

• Harmony, Minnesota: A glimpse of the Amish people

• Winona, Minnesota: Professional theatre in small town America

• Madison: Politics and culture in a Midwestern state capital
   

FACILITIES
At Luther College participants live in a modern, air-conditioned residence hall. Participants share a double room, although a few single rooms may be available for an additional fee. All the classrooms, plus dining and lounge areas used for the program are also air-conditioned. Near the campus there is a public swimming pool. Canoeing and "tubing" on the Upper Iowa River adjacent to campus are also popular activities. Other recreational options include tennis, basketball, handball, football (soccer), golf, bowling, biking, and softball.

Both the Luther College library and that of the City of Decorah have excellent collections for research and recreational reading. All campus facilities are available for Institute participants at no additional cost. Luther College computer facilities are also available to participants, including free access to the internet and e-mail. Bicycles are availible for use by participants.

COSTS
The cost of the 2010 program is $2,750 (see "Stipends" paragraph below). This amount includes all lectures, program- related travel, a shared room (two persons to a room. Single rooms are available at a nominal extra charge) in a student residence hall with clean bed linen and towels provided weekly, three meals daily in the cafeteria, and use of all college facilities. Not covered are transport from Europe to Chicago, personal expenses, and expenses incurred in the Chicago and optional Madison and New York City segments of the program (e.g. hotel and food). Transportation from Chicago to Decorah, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Madison is included in the program fee. Return to Chicago from Madison via bus (approximately 30 US dollars) is not included.

The following costs are reasonable estimates based on the July 2010 Program.

 Note: Airfare not Included 

STIPENDS

A portion of the Institute costs are typically covered by some stipends. These are available both from the Thanks to Scandinavia Institute in American Studies (See the information below.) and from funding sources in each of the Nordic nations. (See Nordic Contacts.) Many organizations and individuals have annually contributed to the Scandinavian Institute Stipend Fund. The American Scandinavian Foundation continues to be major benefactor.

Important Note: Icelandic participants receive their funding from other sources; please contact Islenzk-Ameriska Felagid or e-mail them at: iceam@utn.stjr.is

TTS funded stipends are provided only through the Institute office at Luther College. They are granted when an individual's application has been approved by the appropriate Scandinavian foundation office and that approval has been forwarded to the Institute office at Luther College.

Applicants are urged to seek additional funding from sources in their own country as early as possible. Past participants have secured stipends from a variety of sources such as their governments' departments of education, local school systems, civic organizations, teacher unions, and others. Past program participants who were teachers of English in Finland have been eligible for grants from their government to attend the program. Norwegian teachers will be automatically considered for a travel grant when their application to the Institute is received in the offices of Norge-Amerika Foreningen.

For more information, contact the Scandinavian foundation office in your country. (See Nordic Contacts.)
 

DEADLINE INFORMATION FOR APPLICATIONS

Each application is submitted electronically, i.e., online, to the Institute office at Luther College. This office then consults with the appropriate Nordic foundation office. If that foundation office chooses to review a candidate applications, it then forwards a list of those approved to Luther College.

Deadline dates for the 2010 program are determined by each Scandinavian foundation office in collaboration with the Luther College Institute office.

All applications must be submitted online. See Application form.

All Norwegian applications must be submitted by Sunday, February 15, 2010.
All other applications must be submitted by Sunday, March 1, 2010.

If you have questions about applications or deadline dates, please contact the Scandinavian foundation office in your country or email rudolfuw@luther.edu (note: be sure to put Thanks to Scandinavia in the subject line of your email.).