International Studies Abroad Program

J.H.E. Paine, Director

Through a wide variety of Studies Abroad Programs, Belmont offers students the opportunity to broaden their education while earning credit hours toward their degrees. These programs, which range in duration from two weeks to a full year, can be taken for core, major and/or elective credit at the undergraduate and graduate level. Hours earned in these programs are not affected by transfer and off-campus credit hour restrictions. All such programs qualify for financial aid for eligible students. Scholarship money is also available for a limited number of students yearly.

The May Term Abroad program provides students an opportunity to broaden their cultural horizons and earn unique academic credit through a 21-day travel-study course offered annually between the end of the spring semester and the start of summer school. An interdisciplinary teaching team, drawn variously from all schools, assures an integrated approach and an educational experience appropriate to all majors. Two courses may be taken: ISP 200, Contemporary European Culture, and a special studies course in the student's major area.

In several English-speaking countries, through Belmont's membership in the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA), Belmont students have access to more than 60 courses in a wide variety of fields. Each year, CCSA programs include a London fall semester program and a variety of 2-4 week programs in London, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland, and South Africa. Contact Dr. Maggie Monteverde, Literature and Language, for details.

In Angers, France, Belmont offers a four-week intensive French language study program for students whose French language proficiency levels range from beginning to advanced. Contact Dr. Cheryl Brown, Literature and Language, for details.

For Italy, Belmont offers a summer program in Italian language and culture in Florence. Students may take some courses in English and also may choose from a wide variety of studio art courses. Contact: Ms. Margaret Howell, Literature and Language, for details.

To Spanish-speaking countries, Belmont offers a Travel/Study Program each summer. Programs will alternate between Mexico, Spain and South America. These are immersion programs in which students take language and culture courses, live with families, and travel to places of historical and cultural interest. Students should contact Dr. David C. Julseth, Literature and Language, if interested in these opportunities.

In the Bahamas each May, the Physical Education Department offers a one-week, 2 credit hours course in sailing. Contact Dr. Bill Thompson, Physical Education, for details.

Belmont students can also enroll in semester and year abroad programs through exchange agreements with universities in France, Germany, Mexico, Russia, China and Australia. These programs serve to enrich international understanding by bringing students from abroad to live and study on Belmont's campus and by sending Belmont students to study at our sister institutions in these countries. Contact Dr. John Paine, Literature and Language, for details.

In addition to such on-going exchange programs, individual studies abroad may be arranged for interested students. Contact Ms. Kathy Skinner, Office of International Student Services, for details.

International Studies Program (ISP)

__ 195-495. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country through an official study abroad program, beginning through advanced level. Individual course titles indicating discipline, level, subject, hours, and location assigned for each unit taken. Courses may count toward major, minor, core, and/or elective credit, as determined, in consultation with the program director, by the chair of the department in which credit is to be assigned. Repeatable up to the level designated by each discipline in which credit is taken.

ISP 200. Contemporary European Culture (3). An interdisciplinary travel abroad course on contemporary European culture, life and thought. It examines the arts, political economy, health-care, humanities, science, and infra-structure of European communities through visits to significant places and institutions in present-day Europe and through information, discussions and pertinent readings.

Peer Tutoring

The Peer Tutoring Program, begun at Belmont in 1995, provides students with the opportunity to serve as a link between the professor and students in a class -- a class the tutor has already taken. Though the role of the tutor in a class is determined specifically between the tutor and professor, the goal is enhanced learning for the tutor and for the class members through leadership opportunities that create new insights and clarifications. A key element of the program is the seminar for all peer tutors, which is conducted by the Teaching Center. This seminar allows all of the tutors to share learning experiences with each other, which enriches the learning for all. This program is exemplary of that part of the university vision which declares Belmont's aspiration to be "A premier teaching university" that focuses on building a true learning community.

PTS 292-492. Peer Tutoring (1-3). By invitation of a professor, a student may serve as a peer tutor for a course. Each peer tutor works with the professor to define the specific role in the class, which may include helping conduct classes, leading study or discussion sessions, and helping students master the course material. The Peer Tutor also participates in a seminar conducted by the Teaching Center. The Peer Tutor does not grade or keep other records for the class.