Program Content and Schedule

The SUSI program will be delivered as a combination of classroom learning and experiential learning. Learning will take place in the form of lectures, workshops, small and large group activities, presentations, interactive assignments and discussion.

The SUSI program will take place in two U.S. cities in different parts of the country (see map below), with most of the program being spent in Seattle, Washington. The schedule is as follows:

June 21-July 21: Seattle, Washington (West coast)

July 21-25: Kansas City, Missouri (Midwest)  

Program Schedule: Site Visits, Tours, Meetings, Service Projects, and Workshops

Please note that a week before you arrive in the U.S. you will receive a detailed daily schedule with specific information about times and location for each day; we will review this schedule during orientation on the first day so that you will know exactly what is happening every day. You will also get access to Google calendar, which will have the program schedule, so please make sure you have the Google calendar app on your phone. Below, you will find a very brief overview of the organizations we will visit and workshops you will participate in throughout the program. This is not a complete list, but it will give you a chance to learn a little more about some of what we will do.

Week 1-4: Seattle

Community Mapping workshop and activity at Pike Place Market

Regional study tour to Olympia, Washington, the state capitol, to visit and learn about state-level government

Tour of the Discovery Center at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Wings over Washington interactive exhibit/ride

Service project at Food Lifeline

Professional Networking Reception

Much more to be announced

Week 5: Kansas city, missouri

Visit to the National WWI Museum and Memorial

Time to explore Kansas City Union Station

More to be announced

Civic Engagement Course Curriculum

During your time in Seattle, you will take part in a course on Civic Engagement and Social Change taught by UW professor Ryan Burt. The course syllabus will be available in June.

The program will order and pay for a course packet and books that will include all your readings.

General Expectations:
You must adhere to a high standard of academic integrity in all of your reporting. Expect to spend several hours each week working on your assignments outside of class time. You should submit written assignments, on paper or online, at the beginning of class on the day they are due.

UNIT 1: Introduction to Civic Engagement, Civil Rights, and Grass-Roots Student Activism

UNIT 2: Civic Engagement in the Community: Volunteering and Direct Action

UNIT 3: Civic Engagement at the State and National Level: Political Leadership, Citizen Advocacy, and Minority Political Engagement

Leadership Curriculum

The FIUTS SUSI leadership curriculum aligns each leadership area with competency-based activities that supports participants in their project planning goals and overall leadership identity development.  Throughout all leadership sessions, we’ll work together on developing as leaders in our ability to communicate with diverse groups, reflect and build on our own and others’ experiences, and tell stories to drive impact.

1. Leading with Alignment

In this introduction to leadership session, participants reflect on leaders they admire and leadership qualities that resonate with them. They identify their own core values and leadership style, then explore the important ways values, style, and personal beliefs are reflected in action.

2. Leading Groups 

This session introduces the idea as leadership in the context of groups. Participants learn about how teams move through predictable stages and how to support team members as they work towards collective goals. They discuss and practice delegation. Also, the session explores how clarity in expectations and roles can improve the results of group work.    

3. Leading Through Uncertainty 

This session focuses on change management, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills. Participants reflect on their history with interpersonal conflict and explore conflict styles and when to use them. They learn basic negotiation terminology and practice negotiation scenarios.  

4. Leaders as Storytellers 

This session combines elements of public speaking with concepts around sharing values and framing stories. Participants practice key skills while developing personal stories tied to their authentic values and beliefs. The focus of the session is on clarity of theme and development of each participant’s personal voice.  

5. Leadership and Appreciation 

This session explores concepts around celebration, honoring individuals and groups, and appreciation for achievement. Participants focus on paying attention to details and preferences in order to find meaningful ways to recognize and honor each other’s accomplishments as well as to celebrate the group as a whole.