Spring/Summer Class on Migrant Worker Outreach and Education

MIGRANT WORKER OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM ELI 390/Ed 390/Ling 386/RC SOCSCI390 (3 credits each term)  Spring/Summer 2012

The Spring term is the academic component and focuses on developing an understanding of the migrant community and the issues affecting the workers and their families. Students will analyze educational, health and legal problems by means of readings, discussions, videos, and guest speakers. In the latter weeks, the course will focus on ESL theory and strategies as well as lesson plan preparation. (Tentative
schedule: T/F 12:00 to 3:00).

In the Summer term, students will travel to Lenawee County camps twice weekly to teach ESL to adult men, adult women and/or children under the supervision of an instructor. Likewise, students will provide pesticide training in Spanish to the farm workers as needed.

Interested students might also have the opportunity to volunteer as translators for the medical clinics. Transportation provided. Some knowledge of Spanish preferred, but not required. (Tentative schedule:
M/TH 5:00 to 10:45 pm. Includes driving time). Enrollment is limited to 18 for summer.

The Spring term can be taken separately. The Spring course is a prerequisite for the summer course. The course can be used as a cognate for Spanish majors.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact: Mabel Rodriguez at mrodri@umich.edu or Deborah DesJardins at desjardi@umich.edu.

***FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS***

1. Credits.

• These courses count towards the following concentrations:  Education, Linguistics, RC Social Science, LACS, Latino/Latino Studies, RC Social Justice Minor.
• Students can also use THREE (3) credits as a cognate towards the Spanish concentration (but not towards the minor).

2. Enrollment process.

• Enrollment in the course is by permission of instructor only. Before we provide an override, we interview students to ask about their interest in the course and discuss course requirements. This is an informal interview to get to know each other as well as to answer questions about the course and the activities carried out in the Spring and Summer. Part of the interview is in Spanish to determine the proficiency levels. Spanish level does not affect participation in the course. It is only relevant when deciding teaching assignments.
• If you would like to set up an interview and receive an application form, please e-mail one of the two course instructors: Mabel Rodriguez (mrodri@umich.edu) or Deborah Des Jardins (desjardi@umich.edu). In your e-mail, please include the days/times you are available to meet. You are also asked to bring the completed application form to the interview. We use this information to guide our interview.
• Once you complete the interview, an override will be issued and you will be able to enroll in the course through Wolverine Access.