"U.S. and the World: New Times, New Challenges” is this year’s 16 th
Summer Institute for
Teachers, organized by the West Virginia Consortium for Faculty & Course Development in International
Studies (FACDIS), a statewide organization devoted to improving global understanding and enhancing international education in West Virginia. FACDIS furthers its mission by providing professional development opportunities each summer for West Virginia teachers.
Few subjects are more timely today than those involving foreign policy. As nations search for security and stability, their actions frequently appear threatening and destabilizing to other governments and peoples. No nation exists in a vacuum; all policies have consequences. Yet, to classroom teachers, the complexity of the issues and the limits of classroom time often make these topics difficult to teach.
This week-long Institute will examine current and controversial issues, providing strategies for teachers to deal with these difficult topics in meaningful ways.
The program is being led by Mr. Tom Collins, the former director of Project LINKS (Linking
International Knowledge with Schools), part of the Elliot School of International Affairs of the George
Washington University. Mr. Collins has made presentations in 48 states to over 50,000 individuals.
Other instructional leaders are Dr. Joe Hagan, professor of political science and director of the international studies program at WVU, and Dr. Jason Parker who teaches courses in modern U.S. and U.S. diplomatic history at WVU will also be an instructor. Dr. Parker was also a foreign-affairs analyst for
WDTV-Clarksburg in early 2003 during the Iraqi crisis.
The virtually cost-free program will be held at Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center July
25-30, 2004. Space is available for up to 40 teachers who will receive three hours of free professional development graduate credit from WVU, free lodging and meals at Canaan Valley Resort.
West Virginia teachers of any subject or grade are eligible to apply, but applicants must indicate how they will utilize the information and materials in their classrooms. Application deadline is April 15,
2004. The application is available online at http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/facdis/application04.pdf
.
For further information contact the FACDIS Office at West Virginia University in Morgantown by phone at (304) 293-7140 or visit our website at www.polsci.wvu.edu/facdis . Requests can be e-mailed to
FACDIS Assistant Director, Michelle Nesselrotte: michelle.nesselrotte@mail.wvu.edu