ACM Programs

Through the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, Coe offers opportunities to study in locations around the world. Some programs are for students wishing to broaden their liberal arts perspectives, while others allow intensive research and study in a specific academic area. For detailed information and applications, students should contact advisors for each program.

Botswana: Culture & Society in Africa
The Culture and Society in Africa program gives adaptable students the opportunity to experience the breadth of Botswana society and to study its culture, language, politicsand socio-economic structures. The program is centered at the University of Botswana in Gaborone, the nation’s capital,
largest city, and center of its economic and political life. Gaborone prides itself on being one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. Students find the people of Botswana, called Batswana, involved in the enterprise of educating the nation and preparing it to confront the demands of 21st century globalization. Program Advisor: Ms. Lanegran, Assistant Professor of Political Science.

Length of Program Early January to mid-May
Enrollment Maximum of 20 students
Eligibility Juniors, seniors, and second-semester sophomores
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadlines Regular Deadline April 1, Final Deadline October 15

Central european Studies in the Czech republic
Combining its rich cultural heritage, the emerging revival of democracy, and a
struggle for economic success, the Czech Republic mirrors much of East and Central Europe. The program is based at Palacký University in Olomouc, the historic capital of Moravia. Students from many disciplines can benefit from intensive language training, course work, field trips to major CentralEuropean cities, independent research, a three-week host family stay, and housing among Czech students in university dormitories. Courses cover Central European history, contemporary socio-political issues, and Czech literature and culture. Administered by ACM, Central European Studies is also recognized by GLCA. Program Advisor: Mr. Kuennen, Assistant Professor
of Business Administration.

Length of Program Late August to mid-December
Enrollment 15 to 20 students
Eligibility Juniors and seniors
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadline March 1

Chicago Arts program: Internships, Seminars, Workshops
The Chicago Arts Program is a 15 week term of urban art immersion during which students explore the arts through practical, creative, and scholarly activity. While living in Chicago, in addition to attending a wide range of cultural events, students meet and work with local artists and art professionals
in part time internships, on Independent Study Projects and in two courses: the Core seminar, Negotiating Chicago’s Artworld, and an elective studio-based Special Topics workshop. Possible internship placements include but are not limited to museums and galleries, artists’ studios, theatre and dance companies, recording studios and popular music venues, literary organizations and publications, film and video production companies, architecture firms, arts education and community outreach organizations, and graphic and interior designers. Not limited to arts majors, the program benefits all students who have strong career interests or graduate school aspirations in the arts and humanities. Program Advisor: Ms. Wolverton, Professor of Theatre Arts.

Length of Program Late August to mid-December, or late January to mid May
Enrollment 30 students (fall), 20 students (spring)
Eligibility Advanced sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadlines Fall March 15, Spring October 31

Costa rica: Studies in Latin American Culture and Society
Studies in Latin American Culture and Society (fall only) is an interdisciplinary program for students seeking a comprehensive understanding of life in Latin America and wishing to develop fluency in Spanish. This program, which focuses on the humanities and social sciences, is designed to take full advantage of its Costa Rican setting. Language study is stressed as the key to understanding the culture. Course work in language, literature,geography, anthropology, politics, and culture enables students to develop insights which are reinforced by field trips and two weeks of field work in rural areas. In San José and its environs, students live with families both to improve their language ability and enjoy personal involvement in the daily life of a Latin American community. Program Advisor: Mr. Mason-Browne, Joanne M. Pochobradsky Associate Professor of Spanish.

Length of Program Late August to December
Enrollment 25 to 30 students
Eligibility Sophomores, juniors, and seniors, with at least two years of college
level Spanish or the equivalent
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadlines Regular Deadline November 1, Final Deadline March 15

Costa rica: Tropical Field research
The Tropical Field Research Program (spring only) is designed for advanced work in all disciplines. Costa Rica supports an extraordinary variety of plant and animal life and provides rich research opportunities for students of tropical biology and ecology. An equally broad range of research topics is available for students of anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, geology,history, political science, literature, fine arts, and sociology. Students prepare for their research during a month long orientation which includes intensive language training and a review of field work methodology. Their field study may be integrated with an ongoing project or undertaken independently under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Program Advisor: Mr. Hadow, Heins-Johnson Professor of Biology.

Length of Program Late January to May
Enrollment 25 to 27 students
Eligibility Juniors and seniors with prior course work in the discipline in which they propose to do research, plus at least one year of college Spanish (two years are strongly Credit Four course credits
Application Deadlines Regular Deadline March 15, Final Deadline November 1

Florence
The Florence Program provides an excellent opportunity to study Renaissance painting, sculpture, architecture, history, and literature for students interested in art, history, Romance Languages, and the humanities. Italian language instruction, a studio artcourse, and courses providing a broad perspective
on Italian contributions to world civilization facilitate the study of Florentine artistic and cultural heritage. Visits to museums and galleries, short field trips to other cities throughout Italy, and discussions with local scholars supplement this course work. Staying with Italian host families enriches participants’ awareness of modern Italian life as well as the academic study of Italian Renaissance culture. Program Advisor: Mr. Hoover, William R. and Winifred Shuttleworth Professor of Philosophy.

Length of Program Late August to December
Enrollment 25 to 30 students
Eligibility Juniors and seniors. Prior Italian language recommended
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadlines Regular Deadline October 15, Final Deadline March 1

India Studies
The Indian subcontinent provides a rich and complex background for the study of a non Western civilization. India Studies program participants live with Indian host families in Pune, a city that is both traditional and highly industrialized. This offers students an excellent opportunity to observe the interaction of tradition and modernity that characterizes contemporary India. While there, students enroll at Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth for an academic session, where they have language instruction, choose four other courses, and complete independent study projects. Additionally, students enjoy field trips, which can include nearby cultural sites such as the Ajanta and Ellora caves. A variety of extracurricular activities, such as dance, yoga, weaving, and batik, can be arranged. Program Advisor: Mr. Nicholson, Assistant Professor of Religion.

Length of Program Mid-July to mid-December
Enrollment 20 students
Eligibility Any currently enrolled student may apply, though priority is
given to rising juniors or seniors.
Credit Equivalent to one extended semester of work on the home campus (4.5 course credits)
Application Deadline March 1

Japan Study
Students study at Waseda University’s School of International Liberal Studies in Tokyo after a brief orientation providing intensive language practice and cultural discussions. In addition to required language study, electives may be chosen from a wide range of Asian studies courses taught in English. A family living experience in Tokyo provides an informal education in Japanese culture and is in many ways the dominant feature of the program, offering total immersion in the Japanese way of life. The program is recommended for a full year of study, although a term option is also available. The full year program includes a month-long cultural practicum or internship in another region of Japan, usually in February or March. Administered by Earlham College, Japan Study is recognized by both ACM and GLCA. Program Advisor: Mr. Nordmann, Assistant Professor of History.

Length of Program Early September to late June (academic year), Early September to late December (autumn term), Early September to early February (fall semester), Early September to mid-March (fall semester with
cultural practicum)
Eligibility Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA. No Japanese language study required for acceptance, but at least one term of Japanese must be completed before departure.
Credit Eight course credits (equal to an equivalent period on the home campus)
Application Deadline February 1

London and Florence: Arts in Context
The London and Florence Program compares the artistic achievements of two historically prominent cities. Participants study the historical and political context of art, architecture, literature, and theatre as well as the Italian language. Visits to museums, galleries, theatres, short trips to other areas of England and Italy, and discussions with local scholars supplement this course work. Students spend eight weeks in each city and enjoy a week-long mid term break. An optional intensive course in Italian language is offered every January in Florence (3 semester credits). Program Advisor: Mr. Hoover, William R. and Winifred Shuttleworth Professor of Philosophy.

Length of Program Late January to May
Enrollment 50 students (25 begin in London, 25 in Florence)
Eligibility Sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadlines Regular Deadline March 1, Final Deadline October 15

Newberry Seminar in the Humanities
Students in the Newberry Seminar do advanced independent research in one of the world’s great research libraries. They join ACM and GLCA faculty members in close reading and discussion centered on a common theme, and then write a major paper on a topic of their choice, using the Newberry Library’s rich collections of primary documents. The fall seminar runs for a full term; the spring terms are month-long. Students live in Chicago apartments and take advantage of the city’s rich resources. The NewberrySeminar is for students looking for an academic challenge, a chance to do independent work, and possibly considering graduate school. The seminar is administered by ACM and recognized by the Great Lakes Colleges Association, Inc. Enrollment: exceptionally qualified juniors and seniors (fall seminar); instructor’s discretion (spring seminars). Program Advisor: Mr. Buckaloo, Assistant Professor of History.

Length of Program Late August to early December (fall seminar), One month (January to May short term seminars)
Enrollment 15 to 25 students (fall seminar) 8 to 15 students (short term seminars)
Eligibility Exceptionally qualified juniors and seniors
Credit Four course credits (fall seminar); equivalent of one course credit (short term seminars)
Application Deadlines Fall Seminar April 1, Short-term Seminars, December 1 for seminars taught by Colorado College faculty; February 15 for seminars taught by Cornell College faculty

Oak ridge Science Semester
The Oak Ridge Science Semester is designed to enable qualified undergraduates to study and conduct research in a prestigious and challenging scientific environment. As members of a research team working at the frontiers of knowledge, participants engage in long-range investigations using the facilities of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) near Knoxville, Tennessee. The majority of a student’s time is spent in research with an advisor specializing in biology, engineering, mathematics, or the physical or social sciences. Students also participate in an interdisciplinary seminar designed to broaden their exposure to developments in their major field and related disciplines. In addition, each student chooses an elective from a variety of advanced courses. The academic program is enriched in informal ways by guest speakers, departmental colloquia, and the special interests and expertise of the ORNL staff. Administered by Denison University, the Oak Ridge Science Semester is recognized by both ACM and GLCA. Program Advisors: Mr. Wu, George R. Baker Professor of Business Administration and Economics; Mr. St. Clair, Professor of Chemistry.

Length of Program August to December
Enrollment 20 students
Eligibility Juniors and seniors in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, mathematics, or social sciences
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadline March 1

Russia
The enormous political, social, and economic changes taking place in Russia provide a fascinating context for this program, and the Kuban/Black Sea region program site provides a particularly rich environment for understanding the changing nature of Russian life and the issues of national identity accompany these changes. The program combines intensive study of the Russian language with a course on Russian society, and special courses on focused topics. Students live with Russian families and the combination of home stays, field trips, and individual projects provide for maximum exposure to contemporary Russian life. The program is based at Kuban State University in Krasnodar, a regional center of one million people. The city’s distinctively Russian atmosphere encourages a stronger cultural immersion than is usually found on Russia programs in more Westernized locations. In addition, little English is spoken in Krasnodar, providing students increased opportunity to develop their Russian language skills. Administered by ACM, the Russia Program is also recognized by GLCA. Program Advisor: Mr. Barnett, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts.

Length of Program Late August to mid-December
Enrollment 20 students
Eligibility One year Russian language
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadline March 15

Tanzania: Culture and Society in Africa
Currently located on the University of Dar es Salaam campus in Tanzania, this interdisciplinary program addresses the challenges of building a modern independent nation and focuses on development issues in Africa. University of Dar es Salaam faculty members offer courses in culture and society, political and economic development, and Swahili language. Students also complete an independent field project under the guidance of program staff or university faculty. Family stays in Dar es Salaam offerstudents the opportunity to live with Tanzanians and participate in community life. The academic program is also enriched by field trips and a rural stay. Mr. Randall, Professor of English.

Length of Program Early January to mid-May
Enrollment 15 to 20 students
Eligibility Advanced sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadlines Regular Deadline April 1, Final Deadline October 15

Tanzania: Studies in Human evolution and ecology
The Tanzania program offers undergraduates a unique opportunity to conduct field work in some of the world’s greatest paleoanthropological and ecological sites. Students divide their time between the University of Dar es Salaam and the Northern Regionof Tanzania. At the University they take courses in intensive Swahili, human evolution and the ecology of the Maasai Ecosystem while developing a field project. For the next six weeks, students live in field camps and pursue individual field projects in the Tarangire/Ngorongoro area before returning to the University for final work on theirprojects. The program is both physically andacademically demanding. Program Advisor: Mr. Flanagan, Professor of Sociology.

Length of Program Late July to mid-December
Enrollment 20 students
Eligibility Juniors and seniors
Credit Four course credits
Application Deadline March 1

Urban Studies
Chicago is a quintessential American city that was founded on economic exchange, grew with America’s westward expansion, became the hub of Midwest economic and political power, and continues to illustrate the best and worst of American society. The Urban Studies Program immerses studentsin the life of Chicago while exploring both the historical and current forces that define urban life. Through supervised internships, seminars, a Core Course, and independent study, students experience the dynamics of a modern city while learning academic concepts to frame those experiences. Possible internship placements include legal, criminal justice, community and social justice organizations, historical and cultural institutions, educational, public relations, media facilities, political and philanthropic institutes, along with a host of other possible placements. Foremost, the Urban Studies Program develops the skills necessary for effective leadership in civic and political life by exposing students to effective models of action in light of the realities of urbanAmerica. Program Advisors: Ms. Barnett, Associate Professor of Sociology; Mr. Nesmith, Joan and Abbott Lipsky Professor of Political Science.

Length of Program Early September to mid-December, or late January to mid-May
Enrollment 40 to 50 students (fall); 25 to 35 students (spring)
Eligibility Sophomores, juniors,
and seniors Credit Four course credits
Application Deadlines Fall April 8, Spring November 5