Botswana: University Immersion in Southern Africa - Spring 2014
General framework of the program
The ACM Botswana: University Immersion in Southern Africa program is expressly designed to offer students first-hand experience of African society and culture in the heart of Southern Africa through independent research and direct enrollment in an African university staffed by leading faculty from around the continent. Housed at the University of Botswana in Gaborone, Botswana's capital, the program combines formal class study with site visits to places in and around Botswana and an independent research project (for credit). Classes include Setswana language, a course taught by the ACM Visiting Faculty/Program Director, and an elective course at the University.
The program has four overall learning goals:
- To develop broad understanding of an African society and inter-cultural literacy through cultural immersion both within and beyond the University;
- To deepen knowledge of African development, environmental, and cultural issues through direct enrollment at the University of Botswana;
- To develop the ability to design and conduct mentored, place-based independent research;
- To develop a working knowledge of the Setswana language to facilitate and enrich engagement with the Batswana people.
Specific duties of the Visiting Faculty/Program Director
The Visiting Faculty/Program Director in Botswana is expected to teach one course in his/her area of expertise. This course should relate to some aspect of the program's overall focus on culture and society in Botswana. He/she also oversees the independent study projects each student undertakes as part of the academic program.
In addition, as the Program Director, he/she liaises with the University of Botswana's Office of International Education and Partnerships, is responsible for the on-site orientation when students first arrive, manages program financial operations, plans and participates in program-sponsored site visits and excursions, assists students to adapt to life in Gaborone, and handles any emergencies that may arise.
The Visiting Faculty/Program Director will attend the ACM annual conference for program directors and faculty as well as an orientation session in preparation for his/her time abroad.
Compensation
The faculty member will continue to receive his/her salary and benefits through the home college. In addition, ACM will provide round-trip airfare between the home school and Gaborone as well as allowances for housing, car rental, and shipping. Candidates may also apply to ACM for additional travel funds to cover the transportation expenses of a spouse/domestic partner and up to two dependent children (under 18) who will accompany the faculty member and live with him/her for the duration of the program. (ACM will reimburse the home college at the rate of one-half the salary of the faculty member for the period of the assignment.)
Application criteria
Any faculty member at an ACM college is eligible to apply, although priority will be given to a faculty member whose regional expertise is sub-Saharan Africa. It is also to useful have some experience with off-campus study, as the Visiting Faculty/Program Director serves as an academic advisor for program participants and may be called upon to handle a variety of student-related issues as students become adjusted to their surroundings.
Application procedures
Interested faculty should contact Carol Dickerman, ACM Director of International Study Programs.
Applications should include:
- A letter describing the applicant’s background and interest in the program, outlining goals related to teaching and in working with students, and detailing how the applicant would contribute to achieving the program's overall mission and learning goals.
- A brief description of the proposed course and how it too would contribute to the program's mission and learning goals.
- A curriculum vitae.
- Summary of teaching evaluations.
- A letter from the chief academic officer endorsing the application.
Selection will be made in consultation with the Botswana Faculty Advisory Committee. The application deadline is March 31, 2012. The letter of application and supporting materials should be sent, in electronic form, to acm@acm.edu.