The 2023 Summer Study of the U.S. Institute for Secondary Educators
Deadline: December 1, 2022
This call solicits applications for scholarship opportunities for three summer 2023 Study of the U. S. Institutes (SUSIs) for Secondary Educators.
Institutes will take place over the course of five weeks beginning in June 2023; exact dates for each Institute will be communicated in spring 2023. Each Institute will take place in-person at a U.S. academic institution. 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 (SUSIs) for Secondary Educators are intensive post-graduate level academic programs whose purpose is to provide foreign secondary school educators and administrators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad. SUSIs for Secondary Educators will take place at various academic institutions throughout the United States over the course of five weeks beginning in June 2023. Each Institute includes a four-week academic residency component and a one-week integrated study tour to another region of the United States. Prospective applicants may visit http://exchanges.state.gov/susi to obtain general information about the Institutes.
Program Description:
The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators will provide three multinational groups of 20 experienced secondary school educators (including teachers, administrators, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others) with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, education, and culture – past and present. The focus of the Institutes is providing content and materials for participants to develop high school level curricula about the United States. Two of the Institutes are tailored for secondary school teachers; please note that the Institutes for Teachers focus on content and materials about the United States rather than teaching methods and pedagogy. The third Institute is tailored for experienced administrators including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others. Through a combination of traditional, multi-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches, program content will examine the history and evolution of U.S. institutions and values, broadly defined. The programs will also serve to illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in American society. Host institutions will offer a virtual program that will include many elements of the traditional in-person program. The in-person component will complement the virtual program at U.S. host institutions and will include a balanced series of lectures, panels, seminar discussions, readings,
workshops, site visits, meetings with practitioners in the field, and cultural activities. The program will feature curriculum based on the study of how America’s foundations and historical development has shaped and continue to inform U.S. politics, economics, and
society. All programs will offer multiple opportunities for follow-on engagement through alumni webinars, grant-funded follow-on projects, social media, and an alumni workshop at the end of the award period.
The University of Montana in Missoula, Montana will oversee and administer the three SUSIs for Secondary Educators and will conduct one Institute for Teachers that will explore American studies through the lens of democracy and citizenship. The Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts will conduct the second Institute for Teachers which will explore the ways in which individual rights and social obligations have evolved through American history. California State University at Chico will conduct the Institute for Administrators and will focus on access and equity in U.S. education and society.
Participant Eligibility:
- 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 or limited prior experience in the United States, and who have special interest in secondary education as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties.
- While the educational level of participants may vary, most should have graduate degrees and have substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the Institute or a related field.
- Candidates must demonstrate English language fluency. Institutes are rigorous and demanding programs; participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and to participate in all seminars and panel discussions fully and actively.
- Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive postgraduate level academic program.
- Individuals holding permanent residence status in the United States (including U.S. citizens and green card holders) are not eligible to participate in this program.
- Participation in the program is contingent upon the applicant qualifying for a J-1 visa to the United States.
The SUSI program will cover the following costs: international and domestic travel, health insurance, accommodations, and a basic stipend in the United States. SUSI Fellows will travel to the United States without dependent family members. Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for interviews.
How to Apply:
Please email a completed SUSI for Secondary School Educators Application Form to uskeb@americancouncils.org with “SUSI for Secondary Educators – Summer 2023” as the subject line. The application form can be downloaded here: (Application Form PDF)
