May Session Practicum in an Urban Setting:
Richmond, Virginia

Summer 2009: May 11 to June 6 (tentative dates)

Program Location

Program participants will experience the challenges of living, working, and in an urban setting. They will have the opportunity to participate in group activities as well as get to know community members one-on-one. Possible excursions include the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia which explores significant facets of African-American life in Virginia from Jamestown in 1619 until today. Educational and socio-economic opportunities through the arts sponsored by the Elegba Folklore Society, Inc providing participants a deeper understanding of the rich diversity of Richmond’s cultural traditions. A walking tour of the historic sites in the Jackson Ward Neighborhood, a thriving downtown neighborhood, will give participants a different perspective of the urban neighborhood. Other cultural experiences might be found in Church Hill, Brown Island, Fulton Bottom and the James River.

Academic Program

The College of Education Urban Practicum – Richmond 2009 offers students the opportunity to provide service to urban students and their community. Participants will spend a portion of their practicum working in Richmond area schools or service programs and meeting with community members to learn the issues and strategies that are unique to urban learners and impact their educational services. Participants will also visit cultural centers and activities within the urban Richmond neighborhoods. Participants will spend the entire four weeks living and working in the urban Richmond neighborhoods, leaving behind their regular lives and experiencing full immersion into urban life. Participants will enroll in EDUC 490 (1 credit) during the 4th block of Spring Semester for a seminar preparing them for this Urban- Richmond intercultural experience.

Instructional methods include guided tours, field work, journal assignment and/or papers and participation in group meetings and activities.

Tentative course offerings:
EDUC 490 or EDUC 501: May Practicum, (3)

Accommodations

Students will reside in housing arranged by the program director. A weekly allowance for meals will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

In addition to the Short-term Application, applicants to submit one faculty recommendation as well as a short essay (approximately 400-600 words) with their applications.  The essay should be a response to the following prompt:  

Living and working in an urban environment presents a unique set of challenges and rewards.  Explain what challenges and rewards you expect to encounter during this practicum experience and how they may bolster your growth as an individual and as an educator.

For More Information

For additional information about the May Session Practicum in an Urban Setting for 2009, please contact the program director:

Jennifer Pease
Assistant Professor
Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education
Tel: 540-568-4530
E-mail: peasejs@jmu.edu