SV-2007-0019 Study of the United States Institute Contemporary Americ

Study of the United States Institutes

Contemporary American Literature

University of Louisville

Pre-Program Survey 2007

Please know that your answers will be strictly confidential and will in no way affect your participation in the program. We will use the data for analytical and evaluative purposes only.

Please feel free to give us your honest opinions. This survey is not a test, and there are no right or wrong answers. Thank you for your participation in this survey.

Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Statements:

The information solicited on this survey is requested pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-62) and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act (22 U.S.C. 2451, et seq.). In order to ensure that the U.S. Department of State’s international exchange programs meet statutory program requirements (22 U.S.C. 2460(c)), the Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) regularly monitors the programs, gathers data about program accomplishments, and evaluates selected ones. ECA uses the information collected to inform program design, management, and funding. All personal information that is collected through surveys is considered confidential. All responses are coded to ensure the confidentiality of individual responses. Data collected under this study will not be shared, sold, or used for fundraising purposes. Survey data and findings will be used only in an aggregate form for the express purposes of fulfilling the data needs of the outcome assessment. Responses to this survey are voluntary.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average twenty (20) minutes to respond to this survey, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and respondents are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. Please send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to: A/ISS/DIR, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520.

1. In your own words, what do you see as the primary goals of the Study of the United States Summer Institute program?

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2. There are many different reasons for participating in the Study of the United States Summer Institute program. In the table below, please choose the three most important to you. Please check three boxes.

Reason
To gain expertise in my field of study and discipline
To gain expertise in a new field of study and discipline
To develop new curricula and coursework
To learn about new pedagogies and new teaching skills
To meet professional peers
To increase my understanding of American values, society, and culture
Other (Please write in) :

3. Please rate your current knowledge and understanding of the following topics and themes highlighted in your Summer Institute program. Please check one box in each row.

	No Knowledge	Less Than Basic	Basic Knowledge	Beyond Basic	Advanced Knowledge
American pedagogical methods
Curriculum development
Multi-disciplinary approaches to your subject area

3. Do you think the program will help you in developing knowledge, as articulated below, necessary for university faculty? Please check one box in each row.

	Yes	No
Pedagogical methods
Curriculum development
Multi-disciplinary approaches to your subject area

3. What other knowledge or skills do you hope to get out of this Summer Institute?

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3. Please rate your current knowledge and understanding of the following topics and themes highlighted in your Summer Institute program. Please check one box in each row.

	No Knowledge	Less Than Basic	Basic Knowledge	Beyond Basic	Advanced Knowledge
Contemporary American writers and writing in a variety of genres
How contemporary American literary themes reflect patterns within contemporary American society and culture
The diversity of the American literary landscape

3. While you are in the U.S., do you think you will increase your knowledge and understanding of the following topics and themes highlighted in your Summer Institute program? Please check one box in each row.

	No, Not at All	Somewhat	A Good Deal	A Great Deal	Not Sure
Contemporary American writers and writing in a variety of genres
How contemporary American literary themes reflect patterns within contemporary American society and culture
The diversity of the American literary landscape

3. What do you see yourself as accomplishing or learning, during this visit, that you could not accomplish or learn at home?

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3. Have you ever taught Contemporary American Literature as part of a course or as an entire course? Please check one box in each row.

Yes, as part of a course
Yes, as an entire course
No

3. Thinking ahead, how do you think you will apply what you learn at your home institution?

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3. Please rate your knowledge or understanding of the following topics. Please check one box in each row.

	No Knowledge	Less Than Basic	Basic Knowledge	Beyond Basic	Advanced Knowledge
U.S. democracy
U.S. economy
U.S. values and culture
Religious and ethnic diversity in the United States
Freedom of speech and press in the United States
Voluntary community service in the United States
Daily life in the United States

3. What is the first positive thing you think about when you think about the United States?

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3. What is the first negative thing you think about, when you think about the United States?

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3. How do you view the United States government and its relationship with your home country?

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree or Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
The U.S. government is a trustworthy partner for my government.

3. How do you view the United States government and the American people? Please check one box in each row.

	Strongly Unfavorable	Generally Unfavorable	Neither Favorable or Unfavorable	Generally Favorable	Strongly Favorable
U.S. government
American people

3. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statements below? Please check one box in each row.

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
Voting is important because real decisions are made in elections.
Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy.
An independent media is important to the free flow of information.
All citizens in a country should have equal rights and protections under the law, regardless of circumstances.
The Rule of Law is fundamental to a functioning democracy.
Individuals and organizations have the right to free speech and to voice opposition.
Democratic principles enhance the workplace. Supervisors should incorporate democratic principles into their management practices.

3. What is your field of work? Please check all that apply.

Agriculture
Athletics
Arts and humanities (history, languages, literature, art, theater, etc.)
Business administration, finance
Computer science, information technology
Education
Engineering
Environment
Government
Humanitarian affairs, development assistance, conflict resolution
International relations
Labor, trade unions
Law, judicial, law enforcement
Library and information science
Media, mass communications, journalism, communication technology, advertising, graphics
Medicine
Military service
Public administration
Public health
Religion
Science (physics, math, chemistry, biology, astronomy, geography, agronomy, etc.)
Social sciences (sociology, economics, psychology, political science, etc.)
Social work
Teaching
Teaching English, English language instructions
Not sure
Other (please write in):

3. What is your job title or position?

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19. Geographic location: Please check one box.

My country’s capital city	
Another major city in my country other than the capital	
A small city, town or rural location in my country	

20. Home country: (Drop Down List)

21. Age: (Drop Down)

22. Gender:

Female
Male

23. What religious group do you consider yourself a member of our feel closest to:

Baha’ism	
Buddhism	
Christianity	
Confucianism	
Hinduism	
Islam	
Jainism	
Judaism	
Shintoism	
Sikhism	
Taoism	
Zoroastrianism	
None	
Other	

24. Thank you for completing this survey! If you have additional comments you would like to make, please do so here.

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25. How long did it take you to complete this survey? ______Minutes

8 OMB No: 1405-0158

SV-2007-0019

Expiration Date: 02/29/08

Estimated Burden Time: 20 minutes