U.S. Office of Palestinian
Affairs

The 2024 Summer Study of the U.S. Institute for Secondary Educators

The U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem

Announces

The 2024 Summer Study of the U.S. Institute for Secondary Educators

Deadline: December 29, 2023

The U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce the Study of the United States Institutes (SUSIs) for Secondary Educators Scholars for Summer 2024.

The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators (SUSIs) are intensive post-graduate level academic programs whose purpose is to provide foreign secondary school educators and administrators the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions.  The goal of the Institutes is to strengthen curricula and to enhance the quality of teaching about the United States in secondary schools and other academic institutions abroad.

Institutes will last five weeks each and take place between late May and early June 2024; exact dates for each Institute will be communicated in Spring 2024. Each Institute will take place at a U.S. academic institution.  Should health, safety, and travel conditions pose significant challenges, the programs will pivot to a modified virtual format.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary Educators (SUSIs) will provide three multinational groups of 20 experienced secondary school educators (including teachers, administrators, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, Ministry of Education officials, and others) with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, education, and culture – past and present.  The focus of the Institutes is providing content and materials for participants to develop high school level curricula about the United States.  Two of the Institutes are tailored for secondary school teachers; please note that the Institutes for Teachers focus on content and materials about the United States rather than teaching methods and pedagogy.  The third Institute is tailored for experienced administrators including teacher trainers, curriculum developers, textbook writers, and others.

Through a combination of traditional, multi-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches, program content will examine the history and evolution of U.S. institutions and values, broadly defined.  The programs will also serve to illuminate contemporary political, social, and economic debates in American society.  Host institutions will offer a virtual program that will include many elements of the traditional in-person program.  The in-person component will complement the virtual program at U.S. host institutions and will include a balanced series of lectures, panels, seminar discussions, readings, workshops, site visits, meetings with practitioners in the field, and cultural activities.  The program will feature curriculum based on the study of how America’s foundations and historical development have shaped and continue to inform U.S. politics, economics, and society.  All programs will offer multiple opportunities for follow-on engagement through alumni webinars, grant-funded follow-on projects, social media, and an alumni workshop at the end of the award period. 

The University of Montana in Missoula, Montana will oversee and administer the three SUSIs for Secondary Educators and will conduct one Institute for Teachers that will explore American studies through the lens of democracy and citizenship.  The Institute for Training and Development (ITD) in Amherst, Massachusetts will conduct the second Institute for Teachers which will explore the ways in which individual rights and social obligations have evolved through American history.  California State University at Chico will conduct the Institute for Administrators and will focus on access and equity in U.S. education and society.   

Participant Eligibility:

• Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly motivated, experienced secondary school teachers and administrators whose students are approximately 14-18 years of age.
• Ideal candidates come from institutions seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into their curricula, to develop new courses in the Institute subject, 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. 
• Ideal candidates will have little or no prior experience living in or visiting 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 participate in all seminar and panel discussions fully and actively.
• Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate-level academic program.
• U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are not eligible for these programs.
• Applicants should be residing in Jerusalem, Gaza, or the West Bank at the time of submitting the applications and interview process.
• Participation in the program is contingent upon the applicant qualifying for a J-1 visa to the United States.

The SUSI program will cover the following costs: international and domestic travel, health insurance, accommodations, and a basic stipend in the United States.  SUSI Fellows will travel to the United States without dependent family members.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for interviews.

Application Deadline and inquiries:

Please submit a copy of your passport, CV, and nomination form (below) no later than December 29, 2023. 

For general information about the SUSI programs, please visit this site:

http://exchanges.state.gov/susi.

Jerusalem and West Bank Applicants: Email completed application packages to jerusalemexchanges@state.gov .

Gaza Applicants: Email completed application packages to JerusalemGazaexchanges@state.gov