The Summer University (SUN) of the Central European University (CEU) and the Summer Schools Program of the Higher Education Support Program (HESP) of the Open Society Institute (OSI) invite course proposals for the summer of 2000.

SUN and HESP assist faculty development through intensive summer courses for younger university teachers (junior faculty) from Eastern and Central Europe, the former Soviet Union and Mongolia. The summer courses seek to promote continuing education, encourage new methods of teaching, and provide a forum for exchange of ideas on course development and research methods. The summer courses aim to facilitate participant interaction within the global and regional academic communities.

Summer school courses focus on disciplines and topics within the social sciences and humanities where there is a need for curriculum development and new teaching materials. Scholars from the region and the west who are experts in their fields teach courses in an interactive fashion, involving the participants in discussions, debates and role playing. Courses also require independent written work and research projects.

HESP and SUN are seeking proposals for summer school courses lasting from two to four weeks. Courses are led by a Course Director who is responsible for the academic content, teaching methodology and organization of the course. The Course Director recruits an international team of co-teachers (resource persons), preferably an even mixture of eastern and western faculty, who design the syllabus, reading list, assignments and evaluation of participants. The summer schools offer optional academic events, such as public lectures, film screenings, Internet workshops, etc. Each course takes approximately 25 to 30 participants.

SUN and HESP differ in their approach. SUN will fund courses which emphasize research and scholarship on the highest level. Course Directors should assume that their prospective participants will have a thorough understanding of the topic of the course. SUN also welcomes course proposals for professionals, such as librarians, archivists, environmental and computer experts. Courses are held at CEU in Budapest which offers access to superior library and computer facilities. All courses are taught in English.

HESP supports summer schools which present model courses to be taught at a university level. The summer schools provide teaching material and demonstrate interactive teaching methods, such as discussions, debates and role playing, which can be used in the classroom. Participants are expected to be actively involved in teaching at the university level in the same or a similar discipline as the respective summer school. HESP supported summer schools are held in the region at local universities which act as host institutions. The language of instruction is at the discretion of the course director.

SUN courses are fully funded. Funding covers compensation for faculty, travel and accommodation for faculty and participants, course materials and administrative costs. The program also provides courses with the teaching space, computer and library facilities of CEU.

HESP funds summer schools on a matching-fund basis with HESP covering no more than 50% of the overall costs of the program. Other sources of funding include the local Soros Foundations and the host institution which can contribute, in-kind, facilities and equipment.

Proposals are due by June 4, 1999. The two programs have quite different organizational guidelines. For more details, potential Course Directors are kindly requested to contact the Soros Foundation office in their country or one of the following:

HESP Summer Schools Program

Christopher Galbraith, Program Manager
Open Society Institute, HESP
Nador u. 11, H-1051 Budapest, Hungary
Tel: (36 1) 327 3100,
Fax: (36 1) 327 3864
Email: HESP@osi.hu

Eva Gedeon, Executive Director
CEU, Summer University
Nador u. 11, H-1051 Budapest, Hungary
Tel: (36 1) 327 3069,
Fax: (36 1) 327 3124
Email: gedeone@CEU.HU