India: Culture, Traditions, & Globalization - Fall 2013
- Position available: Faculty Coordinator
- Appointment for: July - August 2013 (beginning of the Fall 2013 program)
- Location: Pune, India
- Application deadline: March 31, 2012
- See the program pages for India: Culture, Traditions, & Globalization
General framework of the program
The ACM India: Culture, Traditions, & Globalization program, located in Pune, is designed to provide students with an overview of Indian culture and society today, and their roots in classic civilization. The program's overall goal is to provide students a multi-disciplinary grounding in both the "new India" and the "other" India.
The program begins in early August, with a three-week orientation, in which students study Marathi language intensively and draw up a plan of research for their independent study projects. Other courses begin in late August: students continue Marathi language study, begin a core course in Contemporary India, and choose one of three electives (likely in in film, public health, and Indian society and culture), and begin to carry out their independent study projects. In each of the courses classroom learning is augmented by weekly activities outside of the classroom; students are also encouraged to volunteer with local organizations.
The program has three overall learning goals:
- To develop a broad understanding of Indian society, and inter-cultural literacy through cultural immersion;
- To develop a working knowledge of Marathi language sufficient to communicate in everyday situations and to acquire elementary reading and writing skills;
- To deepen knowledge of Indian development, environmental, and cultural issues through course-work, first-hand experience, and field inquiry.
Specific duties of the Faculty Coordinator
The role of the Faculty Coordinator (FC) in the ACM India program focuses on working with students when they first arrive in Pune to help refine plans for their Independent Study Projects (ISPs), which are central to the academic purpose of this program. In this position, he/she serves as an advisor and as a consultant, assisting program students in clarifying and refining project proposals and working with the Program Director, other Indian faculty, and project guides who will advise students about their ISPs throughout the term. In particular, the FC is expected to articulate and convey the academic standards that would apply on the ACM campuses for such projects. Additionally, the FC should draw on any prior experience of India to help students reflect on the first phase of their acclimation to the local culture.
The Faculty Coordinator is expected to arrive on site approximately two weeks before the program officially begins. During that time, he/she will become familiar with Pune, its facilities, and its resources. In addition, the FC will meet with ACM Pune staff, faculty, and project guides, to prepare for and schedule meetings with students during the orientation period, and to discuss their respective roles in helping students design and later carry out their research projects. He/she may be also asked to facilitate two workshops to help familiarize new program faculty and project guides with American liberal arts education and program expectations.
Once students arrive (in early August), the FC will meet with them both as a group and individually to help guide them in their plans for the ISPs. During this time, in consultation with the Indian faculty and guides, the FC will assist students to prepare week-by-week work schedules for their projects that are both realistic and viable, as well as consistent with the liberal arts approach and standards of the ACM campuses.
The FC's commitment to the program is for four or five weeks, depending on the academic schedule of his/her home campus.
The Faculty Coordinator 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
In addition to a stipend based on length of stay and paid through the Faculty Coordinator's home campus, ACM will provide round-trip airfare between the home school and Pune as well as a housing allowance.
Application criteria
Any faculty member at an ACM college is eligible to apply, although priority will be given to a faculty member with area expertise in the Indian subcontinent. It is also to useful have some experience with off-campus study, as the FC may be consulted by the on-site Program Director regarding 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 curriculum vitae.
- A letter from the chief academic officer endorsing the application.
Selection will be made in consultation with the India 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.