The Rackham Public Humanities Institute

Announcing a summer opportunity for graduate students from Michigan’s University Research Corridor institutions. Open to Doctoral and MFA Students and Postdocs in the Humanities, Arts, and Design at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University.

• Are you a public scholar? What does public scholarship look like in your field of cultural inquiry?
• How can the best traditions of cultural research and arts practice support collaborative partnerships linking academic and non academic communities?
• What forms of interdisciplinary knowledge do such partnerships create? How are they evaluated?
• How can we pursue public scholarship across the arc of the career?
• What are the career opportunities for public scholars within the academy as well as in the non-profit, arts and culture sectors?

The third annual Public Humanities Institute offers an interdisciplinary cohort of 20 graduate students an intensive week-long exploration of these questions. Within the context of the Institute, “public humanities” refers to publicly engaged cultural inquiry embodied in projects, partnerships, and programs. We will explore public work in culture and the arts critically, creatively, and pragmatically.

Doctoral and M.F.A. students and postdoctoral fellows from any University of Michigan, Michigan State University, or Wayne State University program are encouraged to apply. To apply, visit http://www.rackham.umich.edu/news/public_humanities_institute/

The Event

When

August 15 to 19, 2011

Where

Rackham Common Room
Rackham Building
915 E. Washington St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Who

20 graduate students from U-M, MSU, WSU

Cost

Free

Sponsor

Arts of Citizenship and Rackham Graduate School

Faculty of the Institute

Matthew Countryman, Associate Professor of History and American Culture and Faculty Director, Arts of Citizenship

Activities

Site visits, guest presenters, reflection, planning and writing

Readings

Required Digital Course Pack

Application Deadline

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Application Information

To Students

There are three steps in the application process. You must complete all three steps in order to be considered for the Public Humanities Institute. The Institute is open to students who have completed at least one year of an M.A., M.F.A., or Ph.D. program. Postdoctoral fellows may also apply.

• Download and complete the application form.
• Submit a letter of interest and a recent curriculum vitae. Your letter should describe in 500 – 750 words: your scholarly and teaching interests; professional and/or personal experience that informs your commitment to public scholarship; questions (practical, theoretical, ethical, political) that you will bring to the Institute, and; your professional and personal goals for the Institute. E-mail your letter of interest and vitae to kamilahh@umich.edu.
• E-mail a request and instructions for a letter of support to your faculty recommender. Be sure to include information about the Public Humanities Institute by attaching the pdf flyer or by including a link to this announcement.

Notification

Applicants will be notified of acceptance by June 15, 2011. Those accepted as Fellows of the Institute will be asked to provide a brief biographical statement/statement of purpose for electronic circulation. This statement can be a shorter version of the application cover letter.

To Faculty

Your letter of support should answer the following questions: How long have you known the student and in what capacity have you worked with her/him? How can this student benefit from the professional development offered by the Public Humanities Institute?

Deadline for Letters of Support

Letters of support are due on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. They should be e-mailed directly by the faculty recommender to kamilahh@umich.edu.

Contact and Inquiries

Please address questions to Kamilah Henderson, kamilahh@umich.edu or (734) 615-3658.