The U.S. Embassy in Nepal is pleased to announce a call for applications for Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Scholars and Secondary School Educators, which sends professionals from around the world to the United States for academic training and hands-on professional development. Please note that these programs are only open to professionals working in academic fields and in secondary schools.
2023 Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars
Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars are intensive, post-graduate level academic programs that provide foreign university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The program goal is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad. Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars will take place at various colleges, universities, and academic institutions throughout the United States over the course of five to six weeks beginning in or after June 2023, including a four-week academic residency component and, if possible, up to two weeks of an integrated study tour to another region of the United States.
Subject institutes comprise the following themes in U.S. Studies (descriptions of each available through the link provided below):
- American Politics and Political Thought (.docx 22KB)
- Contemporary American Literature (.docx 23KB)
- Journalism and Media (.docx 22KB)
- U.S. Culture, Identity, and Society (.docx 22KB)
- U.S. Economics and Sustainable Development (.docx 22KB)
- U.S. Foreign Policy (.docx 22KB)
Candidate Description and Qualifications: Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly motivated and experienced scholars and professionals generally from institutions of higher education or research-focused organizations (non-profits, think tanks, etc.). While the educational level of participants will likely vary, most should have graduate degrees and have substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the Institute or a related field. This is a highly competitive program. Candidates must demonstrate strong English language fluency; Institutes are rigorous and demanding academic programs conducted entirely in English. Participants will be expected to read and comprehend substantial written materials and assignments in English and to participate in all seminar and panel discussions fully and actively.
2023 Study of the United States Institutes for Secondary School Educators (Teachers)
The Study of the United States Institutes for Secondary School Educators (Teachers) are intensive post-graduate level academic programs that provide foreign secondary school educators and administrators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The program goal is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad.
Study of the U.S. Institutes 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, if possible, a one-week integrated study tour to another region of the United States.
Description: Secondary School Educators (Teachers) program will provide three multinational groups of 20 experienced secondary 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 Institutes focus on 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, the programs will explore 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. The four-week academic residency will consist of a balanced series of lectures, panels, seminar discussions, readings, workshops, site visits, meetings with practitioners in the field, and cultural activities followed by a one-week study tour to showcase the rich cultural, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the United States. The program features curriculum based on the study of how America’s foundations and historical development have shaped and continue to inform U.S. politics, economics, and society. A key cultural component of the program involves community service activities, which will provide participants with a first-hand experience of how volunteerism plays a vital role in U.S. civil society. The program will offer multiple opportunities for follow-on engagement through alumni webinars, grant-funded follow-on projects, social media, and an alumni workshop.
The University of Montana in Missoula, MT will oversee and administer the three SUSIs for Secondary Educators and will conduct one Institute for teachers which will explore U.S. 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 sociocultural understanding, equitable learning communities, and diversity and inclusion in U.S. education and society.
Candidate Description and Qualifications: Candidates should be mid-career (between the ages 30-50), highly motivated and experienced secondary school teachers and administrators. Ideal candidates are individuals whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop new courses in the subject of the Institute, to enhance and update existing courses on the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for professionals in U.S. studies areas related to the program theme. While the nominees’ scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, the potential impact and multiplier effect from their participation in the Institute is equally important. Ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience living in or visiting the United States.
Candidates must demonstrate strong English language fluency; participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and to fully and actively participate in all seminar and panel discussions.
Applications must be submitted by email no later than Friday October 14, 2022, to cultureKTM@state.gov
Download application (.docx 52KB)