Student Organization of the Year



Alternative Spring Break: Civil Rights Tour

Information and Application Materials

Purpose

The Baylor Civil Rights Tour prompts students to explore key historical sites of the American Civil Rights Movement, examine the history of the Movement from various perspectives and disciplines, and discuss current issues surrounding the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. This experiential learning opportunity empowers students to confront complex issues, promote social awareness, and work to create a more just society.

General Information

The Alternative Spring Break: Civil Rights Tour program is designed to expose students to significant historical sites pertaining to the Civil Rights Movement and era throughout the region. The Tour will stop in a variety of locations including:

▪ Little Rock, Arkansas

✓ Little Rock Central High School

▪ Memphis, Tennessee

✓ National Civil Rights Museum

▪ Oxford, Mississippi

✓ University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)

▪ Birmingham, Alabama

✓ Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

▪ Selma, Alabama

✓ National Voting Rights Museum

✓ Footprints to Freedom Tour

▪ Montgomery, Alabama

✓ Rosa Parks Museum

✓ Southern Poverty Law Center

▪ New Orleans, Louisiana

✓ Day of service

(A full itinerary will be provided for accepted applicants)

Due to the nature of the Alternative Spring Break: Civil Rights Tour experience, a limited number of spaces are available. No more than 49 students will be accepted to participate in this program.

▪ Participants will be expected to pay for their food expenses for the duration of the Civil Rights Tour

▪ Participants will be expected to participate and actively engage in two one-hour workshops the week prior to departure for the tour (March 2-6)

✓ Workshop topics will address a variety of issues related to the tour and are designed to assist students in their preparation for the tour experience

▪ Participants will be expected to lead one small group discussion during the tour experience

✓ Small group leaders will be expected to create a blog entry for the experiences the group shares on the day of their respective leadership

▪ The Tour experience will provide some non-traditional accommodations including church stays

▪ Participants will be expected to actively engage in a day of service

▪ The deadline for submissions is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2009

Learning Outcomes

The experiential learning opportunities of the Alternative Spring Break: Civil Rights Tour are designed to aid students in achieving the following learning outcomes:

I. Social Responsibility

Part of citizenship is an established and developing sense of social responsibility through which life-long learners understand their role in society and power to elicit change.

II. Compassion

Through heightened awareness, students begin to understand the plight and pain of others, which manifests in the desire to combat injustice and advocate for the rights of others.

III. Value for Diversity

The most profound and impacting communities are those which function as mosaics of culture. A citizen and learner within these communities must establish and develop a value for diversity that will embrace, enhance and encourage a climate in which all people thrive.

IV. Communication

Strong communicators are keenly aware of the significance of listening as well as how to effectively communicate with their community. Part of great communication is effective and compassionate conflict resolution, creative thinking, and responsible decision-making.

V. Faith Development

Leaders who change communities and the world are those who can seamlessly integrate their faith into their daily lives, functions and vocations. Students learn to embrace their own faiths and meaningfully respect and engage members of their communities whose faiths may be different from their own.

The Five Values

All individuals participating in the Alternative Spring Break: Civil Rights Tour will be expected to exemplify the following Five Values:

I. Respect All Persons

Actively value and honor the similarities, differences and contributions of every individual as a unique and contributing member of the Baylor University community.

II. Be Vision- and Purpose-Minded

Be positive ambassadors and representatives of the values, mission and purpose of Baylor University. Refrain from activities that cheapen or do not advance these ideals.

III. Do No Harm

Demonstrate active care for the emotional, physical, spiritual, social and intellectual well being of every individual within and outside of the program.

IV. Demonstrate Good Stewardship

Operate with integrity in the management/development of resources that you have been entrusted with – create a legacy of leaving things better than you found them.

V. Intentionally Influence

Serve as a positive force within the University. In both the leadership and followership roles that you have, build up, encourage, and advance the causes and purposes of Baylor – bringing about positive change in all arenas of influence.

Alternative Spring Break: Civil Rights Tour

Application

Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ____________________________ E-mail: _______________________________

Classification: ______________________ Major: ________________________________

I understand that choosing to participate in the 2009 Alternative Spring Break: Civil Rights Tour experience makes me an ambassador for the University. I will endeavor to embody the Five Values (Respect All Persons; Be Vision- and Purpose-Minded; Do No Harm; Demonstrate Good Stewardship; and Intentionally Influence) in all my actions for the duration of the tour. I understand that all Baylor University policies and behavioral expectations are applicable while traveling with the tour experience. I acknowledge that inappropriate behavior will be confronted and agree to pay for transportation to return to Waco, Texas should the trip leaders deem it necessary as a result of a violation of this agreement and/or any Baylor University policies.

______________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature Date

(Unsigned applications will not be accepted)

Essay Questions

The following questions must be answered clearly and specifically (responses must be typed):

1. In your opinion, what civil rights issue(s) are most pertinent to today’s college students?

2. Why is it important to have a thorough understanding of the history of the Civil Rights Movement?

3. In group settings, what role do you most typically play? In academic group projects or tasks, what kind of contribution do you most typically make?

4. Describe your ideal learning environment. In what ways do you best learn? What distracts you or creates an environment in which you find learning difficult?

5. Why do you want to participate in the Civil Rights Tour?

6. If selected to be part of the Alternative Spring Break: Civil Rights Tour, what goals or desired outcomes do you have for yourself?

Thank you for applying. Please return your completed application to Student Activities by Friday, February 6, 2009 by 5:00 p.m.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download