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Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies: Russian Language, Music, and Culture
May 14–June 9, 2007 (tentative)
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Artiom, Vladivostok and Moscow
Dr. Heather Josselyn-Cranson, music department and director of music ministries
Gen 316, 1 credit, Cross-Cultural Preparation: Russian Language, Music, and Culture (2nd half of spring semester 2007)
Gen 350, 6 credits, Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies: Russian Language, Music, and Culture
May 14–June 9, 2007 (tentative)
Russian language, music, and culture
Apply now
Download application packet (PDF)
Deadline: February 1, 2007
Program information
Description
Location
Faculty leader
Course and credit
Program structure
Transportation
Housing and meals
Excursions and day trips
Passport and visa
Vaccinations and health information
Eligibility
Application
Application deadline
Program fee
Tuition waiver
Deposit and financial aid
Payment deadline
Contact information
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| Description |
This captivating program will focus on Russian culture, music and language, and will immerse students in the Russian way of life as experienced in the city of Artiom. Students will live with Russian host families, will study the Russian language together, and will have opportunities to converse with and get to know Russian students. Students will also explore and examine various areas of Russian culture, with a focus on the folk, church and contemporary music of Russia. A number of cultural activities and excursions are planned, including visits to local museums and churches, concert performances, botanical gardens, as well as the significant cultural sites in Moscow—the Kremlin, St. Basil’s and Lenin’s Tomb, among others. Prior Russian language study is not necessary in order to participate in this program. |
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| Location |
The program will mainly take place in Artiom, Russia, with day trips scheduled for nearby Vladivostok and a six-day excursion to Moscow at the conclusion of the program. Perhaps best known to recent generations for its role in the Cold War as the U.S.S.R, Russia has a rich history and tradition. It is the largest country in the world, covering 1/8 of the world’s surface and spanning 11 time zones. The city of Artiom, an old coal-mining city now developing other economic areas, is located on the far east side of Russia. Artiom is small enough to walk around but large enough to offer a glimpse of a “typical” Russian city. Vladivostok is a bustling city of nearly 600,000 people and is the administrative center of its province. Moscow is Russia’s capital and the largest city in Russia with over nine million people. Founded in 1147, Moscow sits at the intersection of ancient Russian history and contemporary Westernized society. |
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| Faculty leader |
Heather Josselyn-Cranson, faculty member in Northwestern’s department of music and the director of music ministries, will lead this program. Dr. Josselyn-Cranson lived in Artiom for two years while serving in the Peace Corps in the mid-1990’s and is fluent in Russian. |
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| Course and credit |
The program is comprised of two courses, GEN 316: Cross-Cultural Preparation: Russian Language, Music, and Culture, 1 credit (taken second half of spring semester 2007) and GEN 350: Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies: Language, Music, and Culture, 4 credits. Both courses will be taught by Dr. Josselyn-Cranson; participants must take both courses in order to participate. GEN 350 fulfills NWC’s cross-cultural general education requirement. Tuition for the GEN 316 course is not included in the program fee. Tuition/credit for this course will be counted as part of participants’ regular spring-semester load, and regular overload policies will apply for this course. Summer study abroad courses cannot be taken for audit. |
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| Program structure |
The required cross-cultural preparation course (GEN 316) will cover various language, academic and logistical aspects of the course via lectures, discussions, movies, and Q&A time. Course work will include reading assignments, film reviews, language practice, cultural learning exercises and a presentation. Participants will meet once a week during the second half of spring semester. Once on-site (GEN 350), participants will spend the first three weeks of the program in Artiom living with host families, attending a Russian language class and engaging in various cultural excursions and activities. The final week of the program will be spent in Moscow attending concerts, visiting sites of interest and debriefing the experience. See Dr. Josselyn-Cranson for a complete syllabus. |
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| Transportation |
Current plans have students flying as a group into Artiom. Once on-site, a variety of transportation methods will be used. |
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| Housing and meals |
While in Artiom, students will live and share breakfast and dinner with their Russian families. Lunch will be on one’s own or with the group. Living with a host family is one of the best ways to experience a culture and practice the language. While in Moscow, participants will live at the Russian United Methodist Theological Seminary and will take meals on their own or as a group in local restaurants. |
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| Excursions and day trips |
Two day trips to the nearby city of Vladivostok are planned. These trips will include exploration of the city, visits to the submarine museum and a concert performance. |
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| Passport and visa |
For U.S. citizens, a passport and a visa are required for entry into Russia. The faculty leader and SSAO will coordinate the visa application process. Participants are responsible for applying for and obtaining their own passport. Please apply early, as it can take some time to receive passports, and visas cannot be obtained without the passport information. Information on how to obtain a passport is available from the summer study abroad office or the State Department website at http://travel.state.gov/. |
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| Vaccinations and health information |
The Center for Disease Control recommends that all routine vaccinations are up-to-date and that all persons traveling to Russia see their personal physician in order to ascertain which immunizations may be necessary. The following immunizations may be recommended: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. Food and waterborne diseases are also a threat to participants traveling to Russia. Please see the faculty leader and the Center for Disease Control website (www.cdc.gov) for more information and complete details. |
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| Eligibility |
All NWC students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (or with the consent of the faculty leader) are eligible to apply. This program is also available to non-NWC students on a space-available basis. Prior Russian language study is not required. Students of all disciplines are welcome and encouraged to apply. |
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| Application |
The 2007 Russia application consists of the two-page application form, two recommendations (one from a faculty member, one from a resident director), and a student-copy transcript. Applications are available on the summer study abroad website. |
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| Application deadline |
February 1, 2007. Early application is encouraged. A minimum enrollment is needed in order for the program to run. After the deadline, call for space-availability information. |
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| Program fee |
Tentatively, the program fee will be between $3,500 and $4,000 per student (a program fee outside of this range is also possible). The final fee will depend on the actual number of participants and confirmed prices for airfare, exchange rates, etc. A better estimate of cost will be given in February, and the final fee will be determined around April 1. Every effort is being made to keep the cost at a minimum. The program fee includes tuition for four credits (GEN 350, at a reduced rate of half off regular summer school tuition rates), airfare, Russian visa, in-country transportation, housing, meals or meal stipend, language course, international insurance (medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, basic health), orientation, excursions, concert tickets, and entry fees. Participants will need to cover books, passport and pictures, international phone cards, immunizations, personal prescriptions, some entrance fees, and individual travel and spending money, among other items.
NWC summer study abroad programs are academic, credit-bearing experiences (not mission programs) that focus on broadening students’ worldview through immersion in—and academic exploration of—a different culture. Therefore, the Northwestern College summer study abroad office does not sponsor nor coordinate fundraising activities to help participants cover the cost of the program fees. Payment of the program fees remains the responsibility of the participant. |
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| Tuition waiver |
The regular Northwestern College tuition waiver policy applies to summer study abroad courses. Eligible employees and their dependents may use the tuition waiver for the tuition amount only of the summer study abroad program fee. (See the staff and faculty handbooks for more information.) Tuition waivers may not be used for the $250 deposit.
A full-tuition waiver for a 2007 four-credit course will equal $560 off the final program fee. A full-tuition waiver for a 2007 six-credit course will equal $840 off the final program fee. (These figures equal the actual amount of tuition charged to participants as part of the final program fee, which is a special half-off discount of 2007 summer school tuition rates.)
Interested students should see Jill Fischer in the summer study abroad office for more details. |
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| Deposit and financial aid |
Upon acceptance into the program, a $250 deposit will be required to hold a participant’s slot. This deposit will be applied to the final program fee. Financial aid in the form of loans may be available. Contact the NWC financial aid office for more information. |
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| Payment deadline |
After determination of the final program fee, on or around April 1, the SSAO will send out billings. Deadline for payment is May 1. Participants will be provided with the Payment, Cancellation and Refund policies upon acceptance into the program. |
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For more information |
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Heather Josselyn-Cranson, faculty leader
ext. 7337, hjossely@nwciowa.edu
NWC Dept. of Music and Director of Music Ministry
Center for Spiritual Formation & Vocation, suite 206
or the
Summer Study Abroad Office
Jill Fischer, coordinator
ext. 7223, jillf@nwciowa.edu
Center for Spiritual Formation & Vocation, suite 102
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Disclaimer: All information above and program-specific details are subject to change. Please contact the faculty leader with questions.
This program is pending approval from the NWC Risk Assessment Team.
Northwestern College’s summer study abroad office is funded in part by the Lilly Grant program, Vocare: Find Your Place.
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 Summer study abroad |
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