Off-Campus Studies Panel
REPORT
October, 2008

I.	COLLEGE OF LETTERS ARTS & SCIENCES			

A.	REVIEW AND REVISE SEMESTER/YEAR PROGRAM		Eff. Term: Fall 2008

Office of Overseas Studies
London King's College  (Fall: 13 units, Spring: 15, Year-long: 30)

>	Approved for 5 years.  Program was last approved in October 05 for 3 years.  Currently only available for IR majors--proposing to open it to all majors.  Also currently a semester only program--proposing to make it available for a semester or year.  Students enroll directly in KCL and live in residence halls.  The College has a resident coordinator in the UK who can help with students' problems on any UK overseas program.  
Chair comments:  King’s has an excellent reputation, and the War Studies program is very well regarded. History students, and others, would benefit greatly from access to the program.  Program is encouraged to include update on efforts to improve on-site advising and resources in the next report.
B. 	FULL REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAMS	Eff. Term Fall 2008 

1.  	French and Italian
Dijon  (4 units)
>	Approved for three years.  Students take one 4-unit course chosen from FREN 150, 220, 250, 310, 300, 330, or 490.  Offered in conjunction with CIEF (Centre Internationale d'Etudes Francaises, Universit de Bourgogne).  Four-week program.  All students stayed in a homestay.  Students took courses from CIEF instructors, which were observed by the on-site director (Colin Keaveney).  In addition, 15% of their grade was based on additional grammar and culture sessions with Dr. Keaveney.  Additional excursions, including 2 days to the Loire Valley, were arranged.  
Chair comments:  Good recommendations made. Seems like a good program.

2.  	East Asian Languages and Cultures
Beijing (4 or 8 units)
>    Approved for three years. (with chair-only reviews in between). Program is 4 or 8 weeks.  Students in 4 week program take EALC 204, 206, 304 or 306.  Students in 8-week program have the additional option of EALC 104 followed by 106.  Faculty are local or from USC.  Classes were at Capital Normal University.  Students lived in dorms.  
Chair comments:  The program is well-designed to offer a uniquely valuable immersion experience for our students. The only other area of suggestion I would ask Professor Li and Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures to consider is some form of transition or break between the four week sessions of the program.  Perhaps include former participants to assist in interview process.

C.  	CHAIR-ONLY REVIEWS OF INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAMS	
			Eff. Term Summer 2008

1.  	International Relations
	        	Contemporary Issues in European Foreign & Security Policy, Brussels (4 units)
>	Approved for one year.  Offered in conjunction with Vrije Universiteit Brussel.  Students take IR 491x Field Study (4 units).  They take the course for four weeks, meeting in the mornings, and have an internship that lasts full time for one week prior to the class and afternoons during the course.  The course is taught by local professors and practitioners who link it to the internship. Students were housed in a residence hall or apartment, but next year all will be in one location.  There were excursions to the European Parliament, European Commission and NATO.  
Chair comments: Recommendations addressed student concerns while keeping program quality high. Looks very good.

2.  	Master of Professional Writing 
Screenwriting and Prose Workshop at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge (4 units)
>	Approved for one-year.  MPW students took two 2-unit courses, Screenwriting and Prose, at Pembroke College during a 3-week program.  Pembroke faculty taught the two courses.  Students lived in dorms on the Cambridge campus.  
Chair comment:  Recommendations were reasonable. Reviewing the orientation is an especially helpful suggestion.

3.  Spanish & Portuguese
Buenos Aires	(8 units)
>	Approved for one year.  Seven week program, including one week in Rio de Janeiro.  Students take two courses from SPAN 266, 311, 482, 499, 590.  They live in homestays.  Faculty were from USC and two Argentine universities.  Courses were given at UNSAM (Universidad Nacional de San Martin).  Chair comments:  The main issue seemed to be internet availability, but I'm not sure what can be done other than further pre-screening of host families. Class-time is augmented with tours and other off-site activities. A review of contact time and content provided via these activities per each course would be a helpful addition in the next Director's Report.

4.	Spanish & Portuguese
Madrid (8 units)
>	Approved for one year.  Courses offered at USC Madrid Center:  SPAN 266, 311, 341, 465. Seven-week program.  Courses taught by faculty from USC (SPAN 311) or Madrid. Includes one week in Barcelona.  
Chair comment:  Class-time is augmented with tours and other off-site activities. A review of contact time and content provided via these activities per each course would be a helpful addition in the next Director's Report.