The U.S. Embassy, Bangkok, would like to invite interested scholars to apply for the 2017 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) on U.S. National Security Policymaking.
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars will take place from January 5-February 17, 2017 at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware.
Your application (PDF 83KB) must be submitted by October 7th, 2016 to the following address:
Usawadee Katpichai
Media and Cultural Section (Application for SUSI for Scholars)
U.S. Embassy, Bangkok
GPF Tower A
10th Floor, 93/1 Wireless Road
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Alternatively, you can email your application to us at Bangkokpd@state.gov with the subject line, stating “Application for SUSI for Scholars.”
The Media and Cultural Section will contact the applicants selected for interviews based on the criteria below. Interviews will take place at the Media and Cultural Section of the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok, on October 12th, 2016. Interviewees must be able to travel to the interview site, the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok, on the day. Only selected interviewees will be notified of the details before the interview.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions. The ultimate goal of these Institutes is to strengthen curricular 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 institutions throughout the U.S. over the course of six weeks. Each Institute includes a four-week academic residency component and up to two weeks of an integrated study tour. Please visit our website page to obtain general information about the Institutes. The website address is: http://exchanges.state.gov/susi.
Institute Description:
The SUSI for Scholars on U.S. National Security Policymaking will provide a group of 18 scholars and professionals an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the foundations of U.S. national security policy and current threats facing the U.S. The institute focuses on the formulation of U.S. foreign and national security policy and the role of the federal government, think-tanks, media, and public opinion in shaping that policy. The Institute will be hosted by the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware.
The program will examine the question of how we discern U.S. national security policy continuities and changes that shape the policies and conduct of presidential administrations. Against the backdrop of the 2016 presidential elections, the Institute will encourage intellectual engagement, reflection, and interaction with U.S.-based experts to deepen scholar knowledge fo the foundations and formulation of U.S. national security policy. The program will focus on four interconnected modules: 1) The U.S. view of the world and its place in the global system; 2) Terrorism and national security in the U.S. and abroad; 3) U.S. immigration and refugee policies and 4) The search for the right balance between unilateralism and multilateralism in U.S national security policy. Each week, scholars will participate in academic sessions, roundtable discussions with U.S. national security experts, and conversations with broader Newark, Delaware, community on key thematic topics, The Institute participants will also travel to San Antonio and Austin, Texas, as well as New York City, Washington, D.C., and other regional locales.
OTHER ESSENTIAL PROGRAM INFORMATION:
Program Funding: The Department of State will cover all participant costs, including: program administration; travel and ground transportation in the United States; international airfare; and book, cultural, housing, subsistence, mailing, and incidental allowances.
Housing and Meal Arrangements: When possible, each participant will have a private room with a shared bathroom during the residency portion (four weeks) of the Institute. During the study tour (up to two weeks), participants will likely share a hotel room with another participant of the same gender. During the residency, housing will typically be in college or university owned housing. Most meals will be provided at campus facilities, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own.
Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied. While the host institution will make every effort to accommodate all needs, participants should be made aware of the rigorous nature of the Institute and the expectation that the success of the Institute depends on their full participation.
Travel Arrangements: The U.S. Embassy, Bangkok, will arrange an economy class round trip international travel for each selected participant. The host institution will cover all travel within the U.S. during the Institute.
Health Benefits: All participants will receive the Department of State’s coverage of $100,000, with a $25 co-pay per medical visit and $75 co-pay per emergency room visit, for the duration of the program. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Information on the health benefit program may be found online at usdos.sevencorners.com.
Program Requirements and Restrictions: All participants are expected to participate fully in the program. Candidates should be made aware that they are applying for an intensive program and there will be little time for personal pursuits unrelated to the program. The Institute is not a research program. Participants must attend all lectures and organized activities and complete assigned readings. Family members and/or friends may not accompany participants on any part of the program. Please note that Institute curriculum will not formally address teaching methodology and pedagogical methods.
CANDIDATE DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars are highly competitive. Priority will be given to candidates who have firm plans to enhance, update or develop courses and/or educational materials with a U.S. studies focus or component; who have no prior or limited experience in the United States; and who have special interest in the program subject areas as demonstrated through past scholarship, accomplishments, and professional duties.
Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly-motivated, experienced scholars and professionals generally from institutions of higher education or research focused organizations (not-for-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.
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 nominee’s scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, the potential impact and multiplier effect of the Institute is equally important.
Ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience in the United States.
Candidates must demonstrate English language fluency. Institutes are rigorous and demanding programs; participants will be expected to handle substantial reading assignments in English and to fully and actively participate in all seminar and panel discussions.
Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study tour.
Candidates will be notified regarding selection or non-selection by approximately the middle of November 2016.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
- What degree of English proficiency should an applicant have? All participants must be fully proficient in English; throughout the Institute you will need to fully understand lectures, actively participate in discussions, and read and write assignments in English.
- Can an applicant who is a dual citizen (U.S. and country of origin) participate in Study of the U.S. Institutes? No. U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are NOT eligible to participate in this program.
- An applicant has been to the U.S. before, would he/she be disqualified? No. Applicans with some experience in the U.S. can be considered for the program. Please be sure to clearly indicate the purpose of your visit to the U.S., the year, and the length of your stay as requested in the application form.
- How much free time/time for independent research will a participant have during the program? There will be some free time during the program as well as some time designated for independent research. However, candidates MUST understand that this is an intensive academic program and they are expected to participate in all lectures, activities, and scheduled events. Participants in Scholar Institutes may, at their own expense, opt to extend their stay in the United States after the close of their program to the extent allowed by visa regulations.
- I am not a college professor; can I be considered for the program? Yes. Applicants who are professors at all stages of their careers, practitioners in a designated field, college and university administrators, and community leaders among others can be considered to participate in the program.
- If a nominee has relatives in the U.S., would he/she have time to see them? Because of the intensive nature of the Institutes, participants will NOT be able to leave the Institute to visit relatives or friends. Participants in Scholar Institutes may, at their own expense, opt to extend their stay in the United States after the close of their program to the extent allowed by visa regulations.
- Can a relative travel and stay with the participant during the Institute? No. Relatives are NOT permitted to travel or stay with a participant during the program. There are no exceptions to this rule. Participants in Scholar Institutes may, at their own expense, opt to extend their stay in the U.S. after the close of their program to the extent allowed by visa regulations.
- Can a participant stay after the end of the Institute? Yes. Under the terms of their J-1 visas, participants have up to 30 days after the end of the program to depart from the U.S. However, the participant must be aware that s/he is responsible for all expenses after the end of the Institute and will no longer have the Department of State-sponsored health benefits.
- Can a participant miss one part or component of the Institute? No. All participants are expected to participate in all scheduled lectures, events, site visits, trips, and activities.
- How much money will participants need to bring for the program? The Study of the U.S. Institutes covers all costs of an individual’s participation including transportation, lodging, and meals. Generally, host institutions provide for meals through a combination of a cafeteria meal plan and cash allowance to permit participants to cook or eat at local restaurants. Information on housing and meal arrangements will be provided by the host institution six weeks prior to the start of the Institute. Participants should bring their own spending money if they wish to purchase souvenirs or other items during their time in the United States. All participating scholars will receive a stipend to purchase books and research materials while in the U.S. as well as a certain amount to cover mailing costs.
