Service Seminars

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Fall Break Seminars

• Appalachia Seminar
   The goal of the Appalachia Seminar is to introduce students to the culture and social issues of the Appalachia region through service learning. The course provides the opportunity for active participation in the community and direct relationship with Appalachian people. Exploration begins in the orientation classes where students become acquainted with the history, culture, and challenges facing the region.
• Gospel of Life Seminar
  This Seminar will examine the death penalty, euthanasia, abortion, cloning, stem cell research, and related life-issues and how the elections might affect them.  Immersed in Washington, DC, participants will meet with Church leaders, elected officials, and agency representatives that focus on life issues and consider the Catholic Bishops call to political responsibility.
• Gullah Seminar
  Located on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia are communities of people who are the descendants of slaves. They have a unique culture that is directly linked to West Africa. In South Carolina, this group of African-Americans and the language they speak are referred to as Gullah (Gul-luh). In Georgia, they are called Geechee (Geechee). Because of their geographic isolation, the Gullah have been able to retain more of their African heritage than many other African-Americans.
• Cultural Diversity Seminar
  The Cultural Diversity Seminar explores the rich cultural heritage of Chicago's ethnic neighborhoods and immigrant traditions while examining the corresponding problems of urban life and racism. The Seminar’s focus is a week-long immersion (during break) in Chicago that involves dialogue with various community groups, participation in ethnic activities, and academic reflection.
• Global Health Initiative Seminar
  In many areas of the nation, access to basic health care remains a challenge. Many people throughout the world struggle with the achievement of this basic human right. Through the careful analysis of the issues confronting health care in today's society and the promotion of service through medicine, one may achieve a greater insight into the complexities of this problem. The Notre Dame Global Health Initiative (GHI) hopes to raise awareness regarding the inequality of basic health care and seeks to further educate other students on the topic. GHI aspires to provide students interested in pre-professional and health related issues the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience while simultaneously given the chance to examine the current issues afflicting our health care system.
• Washington, DC Seminar
  This semester the Washington seminar will examine the state of health care in America.  Participants will consider the sustainability of the employment-based health system, the condition of minority health care, disability and mental health care options, medicaid, medicare and the interplay between medical professionals, HMOs and the pharmaceutical industry.  Immersion takes place in Washington, D.C., with the opportunity to meet health care industry officials, advocates, Church leaders and governmental representatives.

Spring Break Seminars

• Appalachia Seminar
  The goal of the Appalachia Seminar is to introduce students to the culture and social issues of the Appalachia region through service learning. The course provides the opportunity for active participation in the community and direct relationship with Appalachian people. Exploration begins in the orientation classes where students become acquainted with the history, culture, and challenges facing the region.
• Children & Poverty Seminar
  The goal of the Children and Poverty Seminar is to educate participants in issues affecting American children, such as foster care, AIDS and healthcare, the juvenile justice system, teen pregnancy, education and childcare. Students will begin their exploration during orientation sessions, which will examine current legislation and insights from educators and children's advocates.

• Environment Justice and Human Rights in the Aftermath of Katrina

  Set in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, this seminar will explore domestic environmental issues from the perspective of minority communities in Louisiana that have recently suffered due to Hurricane Katrina.  Specifically, we will critically reflect on the historical, political, and economic issues that created a culture of poverty in these areas.  The seminar will also analyze the nexus between historical social inequalities and current environmental injustices. To give students the tools to determine what environmental justice is, we will define and apply key concepts such as environmental racism, culture of poverty, justice, and equality. Students will further consider specific issues of water pollution and exposure to toxic substances emitted from chemical plants built in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

• Holy Cross Mission in Hispanic Ministry Seminar
  A Pilgrimage based in the Parish of Nuestra Senora de Soledad Coachella, California. Participants will experience the Church’s option for the poor through an immersion into the spirituality, culture and economy of the rural, southern California valley community of Coachella.
• L'Arche Seminar
  L'Arche communities were created by Jean Vanier (winner of the Notre Dame Award for international humanitarian service) to provide places where persons with disabilities and people without disabilities can live and work together in the spirit of the beatitudes. In the process, the unique value and vocation of each person is affirmed. The L'Arche community in Toronto, called Daybreak, was founded twenty-five years ago, and it is now the largest L'Arche community in North America.
• Migrant Seminar
  The goal of the Migrant Seminar is to introduce students to the cultural and social issues surrounding migrant farm labor through experiential learning. Such learning creates a strong foundation of knowledge through direct participation, allowing the development of relationships capable of revealing the diversity, culture, and life challenges of migrant farm workers. Exploration into the plight of migrant farm workers begins in the mandatory preparatory class sessions involving presentations, discussions, videos, and selected readings. The Seminar centers on a week-long trip to Immokalee, Florida during the semester break.
• Washington, DC Seminar
  This semester, the Washington seminar will focus on some of the ethical and public policy issues in science and technology that are increasingly being addressed by the federal government and various interest groups. Participants will consider issues in the biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, and in emerging technologies. Immersion takes place in Washington, D.C., with the opportunity to meet science and technology policy makers in government, the public interest community, professional associations, and the Church.  The spring semester Washington Seminar is planned in conjunction with the Science, Technology and Values Program.

Summer Break Seminars

• China Seminar
• Mexico Seminar
  The Mexico Seminar provides students the opportunity for two weeks of experiential-learning in Mexico City (and other areas) in collaboration with local organizations. This one-credit Seminar (THEO 33960) involves extensive student-directed planning, resource development, and reflection. During the Spring Semester, students meet weekly to plan, organize and fundraise in preparation for Mexico. While in Mexico, students participate in a variety of activities including site visits with local non-governmental organizations and other groups doing work in the community. Discussions, guest lectures, readings and written reflections allow further analysis of the cultural, economic, political and international forces influencing Latin America.
• Ilades Seminar
  Approaches to Poverty and Development in Santiago, Chile. The ILADES Seminar is a multi-disciplinary course combining experiential and service learning with social analysis, theological reflection and ethical viewpoints. The Seminar is taught by Professor Isabel Donoso at the Jesuit University Alberto Hurtado/Instituto Latinoamericano de Doctrina y Estudios Sociales (ILADES), which has many graduate and undergraduate academic resources in the social sciences, theology, and new forms of education.