Program Requirements
Retreat
The Sophomore Retreat, held early in the Fall Quarter, is a snapshot of the work you can expect in the coming year:
- Study of moral philosophy
- Discussion about
practical application of the academic work to project work in the local community
The Retreat is an afternoon discussion of and reflection on summer reading assigned by Brady Teaching Faculty. In preparation for the year’s work of researching the City of Evanston, you will hear from Brady juniors and their Grad Fellows, who have acquainted themselves with the city, its challenges, and ways to address them.
Brady Sophomores, Sophomore Graduate Fellows, and Brady Teaching Faculty attend.
Sophomore Seminars
Sophomores meet for a one-credit seminar each quarter.
Weekly Teas
Come to Tea each week with our Faculty Fellow, Brady Teaching Faculty, and Graduate Fellows. Join us to discuss recent events and their implications for our society, and ongoing moral difficulties that affect civic life.
When:
Thursdays, 3:30–4:30, Kresge Hall, Room 3-410
All sophomores are expected to attend. Juniors (when on campus), seniors, graduate fellows
Small Group Meetings with Graduate Fellows
Your Graduate Fellow will be organizing meetings with your group once each month. You are required to attend the meetings and promptly respond to your Fellow when they are working to schedule a time to meet.
They will guide you through the discovery of Evanston and its social, economic and political problems. Together you will select a target issue that addresses unmet needs in the community. Each group will present their issue to the cohort during Winter Quarter.
Prepare for Study Abroad
- The Northwestern University Global Learning Office offers support and guidance to students preparing for foreign study. A representative from their office will speak to your class early in the Fall Quarter. Your Grad Fellows can assist if you need. Please note program application deadlines and requests for letters of recommendation. Allow ample turnaround time for your references.
- The Global Learning Office website.
Group Presentations
Through the democratic process, the cohort will clearly define one, local community issue that will be central to the Senior Project your class will adopt. While abroad during your Junior Year, you will consider and discuss this issue with your foreign mentor. Is it a problem in the city you are visiting? If so, how is it managed there?
Presentation Format
Presentations should have three components:
- Philosophical Background: Talk about a philosopher(s) who inspired you and why.
- Research and Onsite Information Gathering: Describe your experiences visiting local organizations, explaining what these organizations do (perhaps with a power point or a short video) and what remains to be done. Explain the needs of the Evanston community.
- Suggest Project Ideas: Propose several possible concrete project ideas.
Process - First Round - Winter Quarter
- Presentations will be a
maximum of twenty minutes, followed by ten minutes of Q & A, per group - Students will narrow the choices from four to two by private vote, ranking their choices
- Graduate
Fellows will facilitate discussion and provide probing questions and/orfeedback, but do not vote - Groups whose topics were not chosen will pair up with either of the two remaining groups - Graduate Fellows will guide this process
- All Brady Sophomores and Grad Fellows must attend
Process - Second Round - Spring Quarter
- Students will present research and ideas
- Graduate Fellows will facilitate additional discussion and re-votes will take place until a project is chosen
- All Brady Sophomores and Grad Fellows must attend
SOPHOMORE Lunch
- You will meet for the last time as a group during Reading Week of Spring Quarter.
- We will discuss your Brady assignment, and hear from Program staff about international safety and security.
- All Brady Sophomores and Grad Fellows are expected to attend.