Study of the United States Institutes For Scholars - Deadline: December 23, 2011

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is pleased to announce the Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars.  Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide university faculty with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, and institutions.  The ultimate goal is to strengthen curricula and to improve the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad.

The programs will take place at various colleges and universities throughout the United States over the course of six weeks beginning in June 2012. The programs for 2012 are:

1. The Institute on American Politics and Political Thought, which will provide a multinational group of university faculty with a deeper understanding of U.S. political institutions and major currents in American political thought.
2. The Institute on Contemporary American Literature, which will provide a multinational group of university faculty and scholars with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of contemporary American literature.
3. The Institute on Journalism and Media, which will provide a multinational group of faculty and other related specialists with a deeper
4. The Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States, which will provide a multinational group of university faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of religious pluralism in the United States and its intersection with American democracy.
5. The Institute on U.S. Culture and Society, which will provide a multinational group of experienced and highly-motivated university faculty and other specialists with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions.
6. The Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy, which will provide a multinational group of university faculty and scholars with a deeper understanding of how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Candidate should be Lebanese or long-term Palestinian resident. American citizens or green card holders are not eligible to apply.

• Candidate should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50.

• Candidate should be university-level faculty or professional from research focused organizations (non-profits, think tanks, etc.)

• Candidate should be a holder of at least a graduate (Masters) degree and have substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the institute.

• Candidate should be fluent in English.

• Ideal candidate will also be an experienced professional with little or no prior experience in the United States, whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop new courses in the subject of the institute, 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.

Applications:

• Click here to download the application form (728 kb).
• Applications are due to the U.S. Embassy by December 23, 2011 – late submissions will not be considered.
• Applications can be e-mailed to BeirutPD@state.gov or can be hand-delivered or mailed to the U.S. Embassy in Awkar.  Applications may be sent via mail (PO Box 70-840, Antelias) or delivered to the reception window of the U.S. Embassy. 
  U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon
  c/o Public Affairs Section
  Awkar facing the Municipality
  P.O. Box 70-840 Antelias
• Candidates who do not have the Adobe Acrobat Professional should enter the information on the application, print, scan and send it to BeirutPD@state.gov.

As with all U.S. Embassy-sponsored programs, the U.S. Government pays for all major expenses, including roundtrip airfare, accommodation, and health insurance.  Competition is merit-based, and Lebanese from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.