Inter-Cultural Practicum in Rome

Summer 2012: May 10 to June 10 (tentative dates)

Program Location

Program participants will live for a month in downtown Rome within walking distance of public transit and of historic structures and neighborhoods in this eternal city. The residence, San Pietro, is a short distance from the Vatican, and students will walk through St. Peter’s Square on their way to their school placements each morning. While the academic practicum is at the heart of the experience, participants will spend four weeks living in Rome while exploring diverse cultural centers throughout Italy on weekend excursions. This year students will have an opportunity to take an historic guided tour of Rome. Included on the itinerary are group trips to Florence, Venice, and Cinqua Terre.

Academic Program

The College of Education Rome Practicum 2012 offers students the opportunity to assist and lead instruction in classrooms at the Marymount international School in Rome, Italy. In addition, participants will spend four weeks living in Rome and visiting cultural centers throughout Italy on weekend (Friday through Sunday) excursions. Participants will enroll in EDUC 490 or ELED 501 “Inter-Cultural Seminar for Practicum—Rome ” during 4th block of the spring 2012 semester (1 credit hour) and an additional 3-credit hour course for the May 2012 summer session in Rome.

Instructional methods will include, but not limited to, symposia, large and small group discussions, individual and group collaborative projects, and observed instructional performance. 

Beginning May 14, students will be placed Mondays through Thursdays in an American curriculum school (e.g., Marymount International School, Rome International School) along side an experienced teacher for the entire school day.  On weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), we will travel to different cities to explore the culture of Italy and to gain an understanding and appreciation of what it’s like to live, work, and travel in a culture that’s not one’s own.  In the past, the weekend cultural excursions have taken students to Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Pompeii, Pisa, Capri, and more.  The plan for the summer 2012 experience calls for travel to three different areas of Italy over the 4-week experience with ample time to explore Rome, the Eternal City.  At least one of the weekends will be “unscheduled” where students can choose to visit a destination based on their own unique interests.

Participating Schools in Rome

Marymount International School Rome
http://www.marymountrome.org/

Rome International School
http://www.romeinternationalschool.it/

Tentative course offerings:

Spring 2012:  ELED 490/EDUC 490 - Intercultural Practicum in Rome—Seminar (1)

Summer 2012:  EDUC 490/ELED 501 - Intercultural Practicum in Rome—Field Experience (3)

Purpose of the Course:

The purpose of this course is to provide students with opportunities to develop their intercultural competency in working with students, educators, and parents from diverse backgrounds. Students will be expected to fulfill the requirements designated by their participating teacher and actively participate in the academic and nonacademic activities of the host school. Students should also develop an understanding of the host country’s culture and a global awareness of human diversity.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. identify the impact of culture and language on learning;
2. identify the needs of 2nd language learners;
3. explain how the practicum experience helped him or her to better understand his or her own culture;
4. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of learning to live in a world that is increasingly diverse, complex, and interdependent;
5. analyze how contemporary issues in the host country have been shaped by historical, political, religious, economic, and geographical factors;
6. summarize different approaches to teaching and learning;
7. and demonstrate an ability to work with students and other educators in diverse settings.

Course Outline:

• Cultural Diversity
• Develop an appreciation for other cultures.
• Develop an appreciation for and better understanding of one’s own culture.
• Develop intercultural competency skills to live in an increasingly diverse world and to successfully interact with diverse people.
• Contemporary Social Issues
• Develop an understanding of the host country’s historical, political, religious, economic, and geographical features.
• Theories of Teaching and Learning
• Experience a variety of approaches to teaching and learning at the host school.
• Practice working with students and other educators in diverse settings.
• Actively participate in academic and nonacademic activities of the host school.
• Act As an Ambassador for the Teaching Profession, James Madison University, and the United States
• Model appropriate personal and professional dispositions required of teachers in a pluralistic and democratic society.

Accommodations

Program participants will live for a month in downtown Rome, in walking distance of plentiful public transit and of historic structures and neighborhoods in this eternal city. The residence for the JMU, San Pietro, is a short distance from the Vatican, and students will cross St. Peter’s Square on their way to their practicum schools each morning. Included on the itinerary are group trips to Florence, Venice, and Cinqua Terre.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

In addition to the Short-term Application, interested students must have junior, senior or graduate standing by May 2012. Applicants must also be pursuing initial licensure in a teacher education program either at JMU or another institution of higher education.

Students should submit an essay discussing their personal goals for such an experience as well as explain how they have had to overcome a personal challenge and the growth resulted from it. The essay should be typed, double-spaced and submitted as part of the application process.

Each applicant should have a minimum GPA of 2.500 and be in good academic standing. An interview may be required depending upon responses to the essay. Finally, a brief statement by COE advisor or department head indicating no history of issues related to academics or personal and professional dispositions.

Preference will be given to those students who have successfully completed GPSYC 160, EDUC 300 (formerly EDUC 360), and/or EDUC 310 or their equivalents

Contact Information

For additional information about the Rome Practicum, please contact:

Steve Purcell
Associate Professor and Department Head
Department of Middle, Secondary, and Mathematics Education
Tel: 540-568-6793
E-mail: purcelsl@jmu.edu