Fulbright-Scotland Summer Institute

Overview

The Fulbright-Scotland Summer Institute is a five-week cultural and academic programme for US students held at University of Dundee and the University of Strathclyde.

The theme of the institute is Scotland: Identity, Culture and Innovation.

Participants in this summer school will get the opportunity to:

• Experience a stimulating academic programme based at two top ranked Scottish Universities in the cities of Dundee and Glasgow

• Explore and learn about the culture, heritage and history of Scotland, visiting the Scottish Parliament, museums, galleries and sites of historic interest, including castles, battle grounds, stately homes and areas of scenic beauty

• Develop their learning, research and communication skills and improve their oral and written presentation skills

• Meet a diverse range of people, make friends and experience life as a student in two of Scotland’s main cities

• Become an ambassador for studying in Scotland and the UK, and for the Universities of Dundee and Strathclyde

• Develop knowledge and understanding during the  academic programme of new subjects, taught by leaders in the field

• Receive academic credits which can be transferred to their US University.

The Institute will run from 6 July-10 August 2013.

The Fulbright Scotland Summer Institute will provide American undergraduate students with a unique perspective on the cultural and political forces that have shaped modern Scotland, with a strong emphasis on its pioneering role as a technological nation.  The Institute will be delivered through an innovative partnership between two distinctively Scottish modern universities – the University of Dundee and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

University of Dundee
The University of Dundee was founded as University College Dundee in 1881, became a college of the University of St Andrews in 1897 and was granted its Royal Charter as the independent University of Dundee in 1967. Dundee enjoys an outstanding reputation in medicine and life sciences and the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design is one of the UK’s foremost art schools. Other important research strengths are based in the Humanities, including History, creative writing, theatre studies (in partnership with Dundee Rep, Scotland’s only centrally-funded repertory company), comic studies and forensic anthropology, led by Professor Sue Black.  The Vision for the University ‘Transformation’ underpins the University’s distinctive approach and purpose within Scotland. Dundee is a dynamic hub for the UK’s digital entertainment industry and the design for a new £45 million Victoria and Albert (V&A) at Dundee by the award-winning Japanese architect Kengo Kuma reflects the city’s twenty-first century vision and creativity.

University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde is Glasgow's second university founded in 1796. It received its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university and has a powerful heritage of partnerships with business and industry. Scottish history and the history of science and technology, law and the Strathclyde Business School are among its research strengths. Its location in the heart of Scotland’s largest city gives Strathclyde a unique sense of energy and drive against the background of Glasgow’s fine architecture, concert spaces, art galleries and parks. Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games in July 2014.

 For more information on the Institute see the Programme Outline under the Additional Information tab.

Benefits

The majority of the participant costs will be covered. This includes:

•    round-trip airfare from the US to the UK;
•    tuition and fees at the University's of Dundee and Strathclyde;
•    accommodation and social programme;
•    subsistence e.g. food and drink

Participants are expected to pay for their own travel, health and accident insurance.

Student accommodation will be provided in both Dundee and Glasgow. Students will stay in modern study-bedrooms, furnished with a bed, wardrobe, chair and desk, computer link and en-suite shower and toilet. The flats are self-catering and each flat has a kitchen with a cooker, kettle, microwave and fridge/freezer. Launderette facilities are also available.

Students will be given a £15 per diem.

Students will gain 20 UK credits, the equivalent of 5 US credits

Selection Criteria

To meet the minimum eligibility for this Institute you need to:

• be a US citizen (resident anywhere except the UK) and possess a US passport;
• be at least 18 years old by the start of the programme;
• be able to participate in the programme in its entirety;
• have a high level of academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (confirmed by academic marks, awards and references);
• have at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete, i.e. applicants should currently be a Freshman or Sophomore in college/university;
•  be mature, responsible, independent, and open-minded;
•  be willing and able to fully participate in an academically intensive programme that includes attending all sessions, completing all assignments, contributing to classroom discussions and supporting student ambassador style work as required;
• have had little or no study or travel experience in the UK or elsewhere outside of the US and;
• expect to return to the US and continue your education.

Note: The programme is open to students in all courses of study
 
Those holding permanent residency ‘green cards’ may not apply.

Please read the Terms and Conditions for this award before making an application.

In making these awards the Commission is looking not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, an indication of ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Programme and a plan to give back to your home country upon returning.

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, colour, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual preference or gender (including gender reassignment). Individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Applying

All applications are due March 11, 2013 by 5pm (UK Time)

To apply please download an application form

If you have a query about applying please read the FAQs document before contacting the Commission. Follow us on twitter to receive application tips throughout the application period.

Please note: Applications must arrive at the Commission by email to
UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk by 5pm (UK time) on the day of the deadline. 

References should be sent to the Commission by email  to
UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk and should come directly from the referee. Students should not submit references on their referees' behalf. References must be received at the Commission by 5pm (UK time) on the day of the deadline or the application will not be considered even if the application itself has been received on time.

Please note that this email address is for applications and references only. Any general enquiries about the programme should be sent to programmes@fulbright.org.uk

Applications and references sent in by post, fax or to any email address other than UKSummerInstitutes@fulbright.org.uk will not be accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Commission staff will not confirm receipt of individual applications or references by email or phone.

Interviews

Applications will be short-listed and successful applicants will be invited to telephone interview sometime between the dates of 15 April–26 April 2013. Interviews will only be held these days and may not be rescheduled.If you are making an application, please save these dates as an invitation to interview may come within a few days of the interview date.The selection committee will be comprised of Fulbright Commission staff and on occasion representatives from a relevant field, academics, US Embassy and/or Consulate representatives.

Important note: The US-UK Fulbright Commission is unable to give feedback on individual applications or to provide reasons for their refusal.

Candidates will be considered without respect to race, colour, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual preference or gender (including gender reassignment). Individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply

Timeline

December     Competition opens
11 March     Application deadline
Early April     Short-listed candidates invited to Interview
15-26 April   Telephone Interviews
Early May     Notification for successful applicants
May/June     Preparation and Pre-Departure Information
6 July       Arrival in the UK
10 August   Return to USA

Additional Information

Programme Outline (please note that this is subject to change)

Academic Programme

Through lectures, seminars and study visits undergraduates will experience Scotland through a contemporary lens in the following subject areas:

Dundee
•    History of Scottish Art and Architecture
•    English: Creative writing & theatre and comic studies
•    Forensic anthropology and crime
•    Scottish palaeography

Strathclyde
•    Scottish history
•    Health and society in modern Scotland
•    Politics and the media
•    Science and technology

Students will consider the forces that have shaped the past and are shaping the future of Scotland and will gain a strong understanding of the cultural role of Scottish institutions, historic spaces and places, national galleries and museums and the evolution of Scotland’s place in the world.

Cultural Activities

The Institute will arrange a diverse programme of cultural local and national study visits to allow undergraduates to experience and understand the richness and vitality of Scottish life.

Many of these visits will be developed in partnership with national institutions and organisations including Historic Scotland, Creative Scotland and The Scottish Parliament.  Visits will include National Trust for Scotland properties (including Culloden and Glencoe), the National Museums of Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland, the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyrood, Abbotsford, located in the Scottish Borders (home of Sir Walter Scott), Stirling Castle, Glamis Castle and Archives, the Burrell collection, Charles Rennie Mackintosh sites in Glasgow

Students will also be given free time in Edinburgh to experience the cultural ambiance and atmosphere of Scotland’s capital city.

Programme Overview

Week One: University of Dundee
Welcome Reception and dinner, lectures and seminars on subjects including the History of Scottish Art, illustrated by the Fine Art collection of the University of Dundee, theatre studies, including visit to a Dundee Rep show and comic studies, illustrated by DC Thomson Archives, (Dundee’s major publishing company), research and writing skills, introduction to Scottish palaeography workshop during which students will learn to read old handwriting. Self-study and local visits. Historical walking tour of Dundee.

Week Two:
Creative writing sessions with Professor Kirsty Gunn, novelist; lectures on forensic anthropology and crime, with film clips of BBC2’s 'History Cold Case’, lectures on the memorialisation of Robert Burns, within the context of nineteenth century Scottish history. Self-study.  Study visits to Culloden, Glamis Castle, Highland Perthshire, including historical Dunkeld, the Soldier’s Leap at Killiecrankie and Edinburgh, including National Museum of Scotland.

Week Three: University of Strathclyde - Glasgow
Lectures and seminars on Scotland and the Empire and the History of the Scottish Parliament, within the context of modern day Scotland’s constitutional heritage; science, technology and the making of modern Scotland. Self-study and local visits, historical walking tour of Glasgow and visit to The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Week Four:
Lectures and workshops on health and society in modern Scotland and constitutional change and devolution in Scotland. Self-study. Study visits to Glencoe, with commentary on Jacobite Scotland and Stirling Castle, within the context of the forthcoming ‘Bannockburn 700’ anniversary in 2014 and the ‘Braveheart’ phenomenon, with guest expert lecturer.

Week Five: Joint University of Dundee/Strathclyde (based in Dundee)
The final week of the Institute will be designed to reflect on the teaching and learning of the previous weeks and will consist of group workshops and discussion groups, student presentations – which will test their knowledge and understanding – self-study and assessment preparation. A closing reception and dinner will be held, with invited guests from both universities and from external agencies and institutions visited during the progress of the Institute

Support

The Institute will provide two peer student mentors (one from each host institution) who will escort and support participants during their five-week programme in Scotland. 

Students will be fully supported in Dundee and Glasgow by a dedicated team of Institute and academic staff, who will evaluate student academic outputs, which will comprise a reflective study, an essay and an online journal. Blackboard, a Virtual Learning Environment, will have a dedicated study area, containing the Institute programme, a discussion forum for joint interaction notes and photographs and journal space. Students will also have access to library and learning resources and online resources in both host institutions. A Campus Director will provide continuity throughout the five week Institute and will oversee the academic and cultural programme.