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2005-2006 Austrian Program (Fall)
September to December
Program Director
(Tentative information as of 8 March 2005)
Fr. Mark Thamert, O.S.B., Associate Professor of German, will direct the Austrian Program in the Fall of 2005. In high school he lived in Austria for the nine months of his junior year. As an undergrad he studied architecture and languages in Germany and at Saint John’s University, and in 1979 he was ordained to the priesthood with a Masters in Theology. In 1985 he received his Ph.D. in Germanic Languages and Literatures from Princeton University and joined the CSB/SJU Department of Modern and Classical Languages where he teaches in the German and Great Books programs. He has taught May Term courses in Rome, Florence, Munich and Berlin which have focused on the Mediterranean origins of German culture. He has also directed both the Greco-Roman Program and the Salzburg Program in recent years and is eager to return.
Pictures of the Salzburg area and the University of Salzburg
Program Site
Few cities in Europe can compare to the unique setting of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the site of the CSB/SJU Austrian Program. Overshadowed by the towering Untersberg (2000 meters high) and nearby alpine mountains, the city itself is couched between the smaller Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg, divided by the Salzach River, and dominated by the mighty fortress Hohensalzburg. Magnificent baroque architecture enhances this city of churches and palaces, cloisters and courtyards. The old city is separated from more modern developments by natural barriers, allowing the city to make the most of both worlds, medieval and modern. Salzburg is also known for its university, founded by Benedictine monks in 1617, closed by Napoleon in 1810, it reopened once again in 1962 as a state university.
The primary objectives of the Austrian Program lie in two areas: the acquisition of language skills and the appreciation of the Austrian culture. Language instruction is an integral part of the program, and previous language proficiency--one year of college level German or the equivalent is required--enhances the participant's opportunities to converse and progress in conversational skills. The second objective, appreciation of Austrian culture, is incorporated into academic course work.
Every effort is made to provide a stimulating intellectual environment. If a field trip to a particular location outside Salzburg would enhance the student's learning experience, then it is included in the program, e.g., Vienna, Munich, and Prague. The focus is upon a structured curriculum, always leaving room for the exploration of unique opportunities presented by Austria's intellectual and cultural atmosphere and resources.
Housing and Meal Arrangements
Housing is arranged for program participants by the Center for International Education. In accordance with institutional policies, co-ed housing is not an option on any CSB/SJU sponsored program. In Salzburg, participants have the option to live in boarding homes, or in student dormitories where Austrian roommates may be requested. A food supplement of $800 (not intended to cover all meal/food expenses during the program) is included in the program fee. Kitchen facilities are available in some of the dormitories and in boarding homes the family may permit student guests to use their kitchen.
Academic Program
In keeping with the goals of a liberal education, CSB/SJU study abroad programs offer off-campus intellectual environments in which students are able to explore the human condition. Students are exposed to unique opportunities to examine the fundamental, recurring questions about themselves and the world. At the same time, great care has been taken to ensure that the courses taught abroad are integrated fully into the Core Curriculum and/or departmental offerings.
Each participant is required to take a 4-credit course in German at the appropriate level. In addition to the 4-credit program in German, participants may complete their 16-credit program with courses taught in English. Grades issued on all CSB/SJU sponsored programs are recorded on the student's transcript as letter grades or S/U (unless the class is offered for a letter grade only). All grades are calculated into the student's cumulative GPA.
Below is the listing of courses that will be offered. Courses fulfilling CORE requirements are noted in "bold" print under the course number in the far left column.
| GERM 215 | INTERMEDIATE GERMAN I ABROAD (4 credits). |
| GERM 216 | INTERMEDIATE GERMAN II ABROAD (4 credits). |
| GERM 315 | GERMAN CONVERSATION/COMPOSITION I ABROAD (4 credits). |
| GERM 316 |
GERMAN CONVERSATION/COMPOSITION II ABROAD (4 credits). |
| GERM 360 | ADVANCED GRAMMAR ABROAD (4 credits). |
| ART 350 FA |
RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE ART HISTORY (4 credits). Transition from Renaissance to Baroque as background; Venetian Mannerism, Italian and Spanish Counter Reformation. Aristocratic Baroque in France (Louis XIV), Bourgeois (domestic) Baroque in the Low Countries, Baroque and 18th Century in Austria. (Taught in English.) (Boeckl) |
| MGMT 389 | SA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (1-2 credit/s). This course is designed for students participating in Study Abroad. Students will write a series of essays integrating their knowledge of theory with their personal observations and reactions. Particular emphasis will be placed on the impact of culture on business. The course will be taught by a professor at CSB/SJU, using distance learning to maintain contact with students located in a variety of countries. Students should purchase the required textbook, Adler's International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior from the CSB Bookstore before departure for the program site. observations Restricted to MGMT majors/minors. (Klepetar/Arthur). |
| PHIL 359 HMU |
MORAL PHILOSOPHY (4 credits). The moral dimensions of our existence: personal rights, duties and relation to society. (Taught in English.) (Zecha) NOTE: TO EARN HMU CREDIT YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED ANY HML COURSE. |
| POLS 341 SSU |
EUROPEAN POLITICS (4 credits). Examines comparatively the Political systems of Europe with particular emphasis on Western Europe in the context of Austria. In light of events at the end of the Cold War, The course includes the study of Eastern Europe including the Balkans. European integration through the European Union will be a major focus of the course. Issues of political and social change will be explored including a study of violence in Northern Ireland and the former Yugoslavia. (Taught in English) (Granger/Fallend) NOTE: TO EARN SSU CREDIT YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED ONE SSL COURSE; NOT NECESSARILY IN THE SAME DEPARTMENT. |
| CORE 390 | SENIOR SEMINAR: NATIONALISM, RACISM, AND IDENTITY (4 credits). The goal of the Senior Seminar program is to develop the student's ability to make good moral judgments on issues that affect our lives. This senior seminar will touch, in some way, on a form or manifestation of moral judgment(s) encountered in the site country or culture. A course description will be provided by the program director after students are accepted for the program. (Schroeder) RESTRICTED TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS FOR SENIOR SEMINAR CORE DESIGNATION. NOTE: Students who are sophomores, Education or Social Work majors, or who have already completed their Senior Seminar requirement, must see Academic Advising to determine if this course may fulfill another Core requirement. |
| Global Flag |
CSB/SJU students currently receive a Global Flag for participating in a study abroad program. |
Language Requirements
Applicants are required to have completed one year of college level German language or the equivalent and three semesters is highly recommended.
Program Schedule
(Tentative information as of 8 March, 2005)
| September 7, 2005 | flight to Munich and/or Austria |
| September 8 |
Arrival in Munich or Salzburg and Orientation |
| September 12 |
Classes begin; group course-related excursions |
| December 16 |
Conclusion of academic program. Return to U.S. or travel independently |
| January 16, 2006 |
CSB/SJU spring semester begins |
Program Fees
The estimated program fee for 2005-2006 is $15,587 (approx. $500-$1000 more than a semester on campus) plus round-trip airfare (approximately $500-$800). The above fee is subject to change due to unanticipated increases in expenses and exchange rate fluctuations. Please note below the items included/not included in the program fee.
ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM FEE:
- CSB/SJU tuition for the semester
- Orientation program expenses
- Food supplement ($800 for entire semester)
- Housing while the program is in session
- On-site tuition, instructional costs and course related excursions
ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM FEE:
- Non-program travel or housing
- Passport application fee ($97 as of 3/8/05)
- Transatlantic airfare ($500-$800 approximately)
- Eurail pass (approximately $500-625)
- Travel/Medical Exam/Consultation
Attendance Policy
Students are reminded that this is an academic program. Class attendance policies are those of the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University as listed in the current Academic Catalog (p. 19):
Students are required to attend all class meetings of courses for which they are registered. It is the student's responsibility to contact an instructor--preferably in advance--of a necessary absence. A student absent from class for any reason assumes the responsibility for work which has been missed. The instructor determines the attendance policy for his or her class. An instructor may fail a student if the instructor determines that unwarranted absences have earned the student a grade of "F", based on grading standards and attendance requirements defined in the course syllabus. Excessive absences in any class, even excused absences, may mean that a student cannot fulfill minimal course requirements. In such cases, an instructor should notify the student of this condition and encourage the student to withdraw from the course during the regular withdrawal period.
Disregard for either the academic character of the program or the basic social and legal obligations of a guest residing in another country will result in the termination of the student's program abroad.
Orientation Program
All CSB/SJU students must participate in orientation sessions during the spring semester prior to the semester abroad. These sessions are arranged by the program director and the Center for International Education. Attendance at all orientation sessions is mandatory for all CSB/SJU students.
Financial Aid
Regularly enrolled CSB/SJU students are eligible for financial aid on this study abroad program just as if they were on-campus, with the exception of work-study and the housing grant. For further information students are directed to the Academic Catalog, pages 37-39. You are encouraged to make an appointment at the appropriate financial aid office to discuss your eligibility.
Rail Passes
The Center for International Education is an agency for Rail Europe, Inc. Students are sent Eurail information and order forms during the summer should they wish to purchase a rail pass for their independent travels. The cost of rail passes are not included in the cost of the program.
Overseas Flight
Students will make their own flight arrangements and must meet in Salzburg on September 8, at a place and time to be designated by your program director. Options: check with your local travel agent or the following websites: www.studentuniverse.com; www.statravel.com; www.orbitz.com; www.expedia.com; or www.travelocity.com. Anticipated cost of the round-trip transatlantic group flight is in the $500-$800 range.
Application Information
Applicants must be students in good standing at CSB/SJU, or with another accredited institution. Except in unusual circumstances the applicant must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale). In the case of applicants having equal qualifications, preference will be given to class seniors over juniors and juniors over sophomores. In addition, qualified CSB/SJU students always will receive preference over students form other colleges or universities.
Application Schedule
| February 2, 2005 | Application deadline |
| February 7-11 | Interviews with the Program Director |
| March 3 | $200 (non-refundable) Advance Registration/Housing/Study Abroad Deposit due in Student Accounts Office |
| March 11 | Official written notification of acceptance |
| June 30 | Non-refundable payment of $800 due in CIE |
| July | Final billing by Student Accounts Office |
Application Procedures
The following steps are required to complete the application procedure:
- The completed Application/Study Abroad Agreement/Medical Authorization and Release/Medical Report Form and 6 photos (photos taken in the CIE when you submit your application.)
- A $199.00 application fee submitted with the application. This fee is non-refundable if the applicant is accepted, but is refunded if the applicant is not accepted.
- A copy of the applicant's transcript. The Center for International Education will obtain a transcript from the Registrar's Office for CSB/SJU students.
- Letters of recommendation from the applicant's academic advisor, faculty resident/residence director, and an instructor of the applicant's choice.
- An interview with the director of the study abroad program.
Acceptance/Selection Criteria:
- GPA–minimum of 2.5, unless there are special circumstances
- Letters of recommendation, academic advisor, faculty resident/residence director, faculty member and language instructor (for language programs).
- Interview with program director.
- Language proficiency–if it is a program requirement.
- Preference is given to qualified seniors, qualified juniors and qualified sophomores in that order.
- Qualified CSB/SJU students receive preference over students from other colleges and universities.
- CSB/SJU students who have never been on a CSB/SJU semester long study abroad program receive preference over students who have already participated on a CSB/SJU semester long study abroad program, with the exception of a student assistant.
- In accordance with institutional policies, co-ed housing is not an option on any CSB/SJU program. In some instances, selection of men and women participants must be based on housing accommodations available on site.
- A student cannot be accepted to a program if he/she has not completed the application process.
- No applications will be accepted after the close of spring semester.
- A disciplinary violation could affect acceptance to a study abroad program.
Cancellation Fee Policy
$ 200.00 Cancellation between April 5 - June 30, 2005
$ 350.00 Cancellation between July 1-31, 2005
$ 500.00 Cancellation between August 1-31, 2005
$ 500.00 Plus any fees unrecoverable for cancellation after September 1, 2005
Withdrawal from a study abroad program must be made in writing to the Center for International Education. CIE reserves the right to not fill a space resulting from a student's withdrawal.
Refunds for tuition and any recoverable fees on the program site are made to any student who withdraws during the semester abroad by formal written notice according to the general refund policy in the Course Catalog.
In the case of withdrawal due to serious health matters and accidents, all recoverable fees will be refunded with the exception of the $199 application fee. Written notification from the student is required in addition to a doctor's statement.
Admission of Students From Other Colleges
CSB/SJU study abroad programs are open to qualified students from other colleges and universities. CSB/SJU students are given preference in the event of a surplus of applicants with equal qualifications.
Travel/Medical Consultation
Health Exams to satisfy visa requirements, travel consultations, and immunizations are the financial and personal responsibility of the traveling student. Students should make an appointment with the SJU Health Center Travel Clinic or another travel clinic as soon as possible about any recommended vaccinations for travel abroad. Some vaccinations are given in a series with certain intervals between vaccinations. Students should meet with a health care professional to obtain recommended vaccination information. The Center for International Education staff are not qualified to make a recommendation. If a medical exam or medical information is required to fulfill visa application requirements, the specific information will be sent or given to the students.