What is The Horizons Program?

The Horizons Program is a series of experiences designed to provide UAM students and faculty within the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences the opportunity to travel to and participate in important academic, cultural, and service activities beyond the boundaries of the Monticello Campus.

Students and faculty participating in this program will travel, study, or work in service projects at regional, national, and international sites.

The Horizons Program also promotes the importance of undergraduate research between the faculty and students in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. It is the hope that the travel/study and undergraduate research components of this program can be linked and enhanced by each other.

What is the Mission of The Horizons Program?

Mission: The mission of the Horizons Program within the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Monticello is to give students and faculty regional, national and international travel, study, and service opportunities. It is also the mission of this program to create more aware and curious world citizens who will make a difference in the world of today and tomorrow.

Regional Travel/Study Programs:

The Horizons Program will promote the study of our Midsouth region and the South. Depending on funding amounts each semester, students and faculty will have the chance to travel to different cities, cultural events, historical sites, or discipline specific conferences. These may include such places or events as Memphis, Tennessee, Natchez, Mississippi, the Helena Blues Festival, the Clinton Presidential Library, area museums, or academic conferences.

Discipline Specific Regional Study Opportunities

Each discipline within the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is encouraged to develop their own regional study experience to help students participate in various academic and cultural events.

• Delta Issues Seminar:

Beginning in the Spring of 2009, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences will propose a new class called the Delta Issues Seminar. It is proposed that this class be offered by two of the six disciplines each spring semester. It will be rotated among the other disciplines during subsequent spring semesters. These seminars (limited to 15 students in each class) may be open to Juniors and Seniors studying in each discipline.

The topic of each seminar may change each time it is offered. Examples of possible seminar topics may include: Gerontology in the Delta, War and the Delta, Child Development in the Delta, Delta Politics: Past, Present & Future, Unsolved Crimes in the Delta, etc.

Student Eligibility:

Students who participate in the Regional Study experiences through the Horizons Program must have a 2.00 G.P.A. and be in good standing* with the University. Students enrolling in the Delta Issues Seminar must have completed the necessary prerequisites of that specific discipline, have at least a 2.00 G.P.A., and be in good standing with the University.

*To be in good standing with the University you cannot be on academic and/or disciplinary probation or suspension, and you must have a good record in the Office of Finance and Administration.

National Travel/Study Programs:

Opportunities to travel and study at various destinations within the United States and North America are also priority destinations to Horizon participants.

During the spring semester of intercession semester of odd-numbered years, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences would like to offer study experiences to U.S. and other North American regions and/or cities.

These may include, but not limited to:

• Washington, D.C.
• Quebec City
• New Orleans
• New York
• Williamsburg/Jamestown/Richmond
• Chicago
• Santa Fe/Albuquerque

It is proposed that students may earn up to 3 credit hours at the 3000/4000 level for successful completion of the trip and its academic requirements.

Discipline Specific National Study Opportunities-

In consultation with the Horizons Faculty Committee and the dean, faculty members are also encouraged to design national travel study trips (limited to 5 students) to destinations that may be of particular interest to students concentrating in those areas.
Examples:

• Social Work- to United Nations to learn about global social work activities.
• Criminal Justice- to Tucson, AZ or El Paso, TX to learn about the work to restrict illegal immigration.

Student Eligibility-

1. Earned at least 15 hours of degree-applicable courses at UAM
2. Earned a 2.25 G.P.A.
3. Complete a National Travel/Study Application
4. Signed the Code of Conduct Pledge
5. Have a faculty recommendation on file
6. Be in good standing* with the University

*To be in good standing with the university you cannon be on academic and/or disciplinary probation of suspension, and you must have a good record in the Office of Finance and Administration.

International Travel/Study Programs:

International Travel/Study opportunities are also a priority that will be promoted through the Horizons Program.

Currently, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers a United Kingdom Study Program that provides up to 20 students the chance to study (on a rotating basis) in England, Ireland, or Scotland. This program is offered during the Spring of even-numbered years.

It is proposed that a South Africa Study Program be explored and initiated during the 2008-2009 academic year. This could possibly be a non-currency exchange program where two students in South Africa pay tuition, room and fee charges at their university- two UAM students pay their tuition, room, and fee charges in Monticello –and they switch places – studying overseas for one semester.

This non-currency exchange will allow UAM students to use their financial aid and thus make it affordable for more students.

Discipline Specific International Study Opportunities-

In consultation with The Horizons Faculty Committee and the dean, each discipline is encouraged to explore the possibility of non-currency exchanges for students studying in your areas.

Student Eligibility-

1. Earned at least 30 hours of degree-applicable courses at UAM
2. Earned a 2.5 G.P.A.
3. Complete an International Travel/Study Application
4. Signed the Code of Conduct Pledge
5. Have two faculty recommendations on file
6. Be in good standing with the University

Faculty Travel/Study:

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences faculty will also benefit from The Horizons Program. In addition to sending faculty who are presenting or chairing sessions at national conferences each year, The Horizons Program proposes an ambitious goal of sending one faculty member to an international conference each academic year.

A faculty application and selection process will be created during the Spring 2008 for this faculty program.

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences also encourages its faculty to participate in and lead these various regional, national, and international travel/study trips.