The Off-Campus Studies Committee requests proposals from faculty and staff for travel to explore programs and/or sites for the benefit of off-campus studies at Carleton. A total of $10,000 will be awarded in winter term for travel to take place in 2009.

Travel may include, but not be limited to:

Development of Carleton off-campus seminars
The Committee is especially interested in the development of programs, including departmentally based or interdisciplinary programs, in areas where Carleton curriculum is strong but not well served by existing off-campus study options.

Development of winter break field trips
Grants could fund travel to help faculty develop two-course sequences using the winter break for practical application of course concepts at a site other than Northfield. Again, departmentally-based or interdisciplinary program proposals are encouraged.

Mentoring trip with experienced faculty director
First-time directors—or those who wish to be—could use funds to act as an “apprentice” with an experienced director during a portion of a field trip or seminar.

Familiarization with existing programs
Travel grants allow faculty to assess the curriculum and the quality of consortium and other off-campus programs that serve their department.

General: The Committee advises faculty that funding of exploratory travel does not imply support for a seminar or courses that may result. For development of new seminars, travel during 2009 would prepare for proposals to be submitted in January 2010 for programs to take place during the 2011-12 academic year.

Proposals: In general, the Committee needs to know what is to be accomplished in a site visit and how. Letters to the Committee should identify site(s) to be explored, the length of stay proposed, and specific plans for exploration. Proposals should discuss the expected outcome in relation to department curriculum and/or Carleton off-campus studies in general. For the budget proposal, estimate travel, per diem maintenance, and miscellaneous expenses. Only out-of-pocket costs of travel and site investigation, not compensation for time spent, can be considered an award. In addition, the department chair should provide a statement of support, comparing this proposal to other off-campus options available to students, if relevant.

Schedule: Proposals are due Monday, January 5, 2009 in Leighton 119. Questions may be directed to OCS or to members of the Off-Campus Studies Committee:

Pamela Feldman-Savelsberg, Chair
Helena Kaufman
John Tymoczko
Liz Ciner
Barb Fowler
Stephan Zweifel
Pierre Hecker