Special Programs
Diplomatic History Research Program.
Students enrolled in the Diplomatic History
Research Program during the Spring
Term conduct research on pre-selected
topics by traveling to presidential libraries;
regional, national or international
archives; or the Library of Congress. Under
faculty supervision, students examine
personal papers and public documents.
Their research efforts frequently lead to
senior theses or published papers.
Advisor: Dr. D. Hulme.
Discovering Vocation Project: The
Lilly Project at Alma College. Through
a network of 12 programs, the Vocation
Project strives to help students find
meaning, purpose and calling in life.
Programs include speakers' series, book
discussion groups, internships, alternative break trips, and support for the Alma India Program. Funded with a five year, (2001-06), $2 million
grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., Discovering
Vocation is helping to develop leaders
who "think critically, lead wisely, serve
generously, and live faithfully."
Directors:
Dr. C. Gregg and Ms. S. Scheide.
Multicultural Courses. The Alma faculty is dedicated to exposing students to learning experiences which are multicultural in content or by experience. To that end, a number of courses are devoted in their entirety or for a significant module to content and issues concerned with the diversity of the American experience. These courses are currently offered in the departments of communication, education, English, history, political science, religious studies, sociology and Spanish. For additional information about these courses, contact the Provost's Office.
New York Arts Program. The New York Arts Program provides a special
opportunity for students to apprentice with working professionals in the visual,
performing, literary, film, and communication arts while living and studying in
New York City. Students work four
days a week in their internship placement
and take directed seminars from
program faculty. Students are housed
in the program's mid-town Manhattan
brownstone. Tuition and fees are paid
directly to Alma College. Academic credit
is arranged on an individual basis with
Alma College departments or programs.
Coordinator: Dr. M. Vickery.
The Philadelphia Center Internship
Program. The Philadelphia Center offers an
off-campus experiential learning program to Alma College sophomores, juniors
and seniors in any major. The Center provides extraordinary opportunities
for personal and professional
development through experience-based
and academic learning in an urban
context. Students intern in one of many
corporations, cultural institutions, media
organizations, laboratories and government
agencies in the Philadelphia area during Fall, Winter or Summer terms. In
addition, students enroll in two academic
seminars taught by Center faculty.
Tuition and fees are paid directly to Alma
College. Academic credit is arranged on
an individual basis with Alma College departments.
Coordinator: Dr. M. Vickery.
Service Learning. Alma has an active academic service learning program. Service Learning courses include meaningful community service, a clear connection between course objectives and service activities and structured opportunities for reflection for the enhancement of academic learning. Most disciplines offer at least one service learning course in which students are engaged in meaningful service with a non-profit or service organization addressing economic development, educational, employment, environmental and health related issues. Service opportunities have been developed in the Alma area, throughout Michigan, and even outside the United States.
To learn more,
contact the Service Learning Coordinator:
Ms. A. Ritz.
Stillman College Exchange. In 1990,
Alma College created an exchange program
with Stillman College, a historic
Black institution in Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
to promote racial, cultural and geographic
diversity. This program is open
to all Alma College students, faculty and
administrators.
For more information,
contact the Vice President for Enrollment.
Undergraduate Research and Performance Programs. Many Alma students seek individualized opportunities to conduct research under the guidance of a faculty member in the field, laboratory, archives or studio. Students from all disciplines of the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences often complete research and/or creative projects that are then presented at forums such as the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters; state, regional and national meetings of disciplinary honor societies; or invited showings, performances or presentations. Numerous competitive scholarships, including the Currie Scholars Program, the Kinney Research Scholarship and the Yehle Summer Internship Scholarship provide financial assistance to support qualified students who wish to pursue summer research and internship opportunities.
For more information, contact the
Provost's Office or the appropriate
department chair.
Urban Life Center in Chicago. The Urban Life Center offers opportunities during
the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer terms for Alma students to live and learn in
the third largest city in the United States.
The rich diversity of Chicago provides
a wide range of internship possibilities
related to students' academic and career
interests. Seminars combine classroom
work with experiential activities focusing
on the dynamics of urban life, issues, art
and culture. Students reside in program
residences. Academic credit is arranged
on an individual basis with Alma College
departments. Tuition fees are paid to
Alma College while room and board fees
are paid directly to the Urban Life Center.
For more information, contact the Center for Student Development.
Washington Semester Program. Alma
College has a cooperative arrangement
with American University through which
well-qualified undergraduates may study
in Washington, D.C., for one semester.
The following programs, each for a full
term of credit, are available: American
Government and Politics; Public Law;
Peace and Conflict Resolution; Justice;
Museum Studies and the Arts; International Business and Trade; Journalism;
Economic Policy; Foreign Policy; and
International Environment and Development. The World Capitals Program
offers similar studies in London, Bonn,
Rome, etc. Enrollment in particular programs is subject to program availability.
Credit is awarded for student participation in seminars, internships, research
and coursework during the Fall or Winter
terms.
Coordinator: Dr. E. Lorenz.