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Spain - Leadership Across Difference: Lessons from Medieval Spain: SAIL, Summer (Outgoing Program)

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  • Locations: Cordoba, Spain; Granada, Spain; Madrid, Spain; Seville, Spain; Toledo, Spain
  • Program Terms: Summer
  • Budget Sheets: Summer
  • Dates / Deadlines
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Minimum GPA (Undergraduate): 2.5 Language of Instruction: English
Housing: Hotel Number of Credits Offered: 3
Eligible Population: 01 Freshman, 02 Sophomore, 03 Junior, 04 Senior, Graduate Type of Program: Faculty-led
Click here for a definition of this term Area of Study: Psychology, Honors, Conflict Analysis and Resolution, History, Integrative Studies Click here for a definition of this term Study Abroad Host: Field Studies in SAIL
Minimum GPA (Graduate): 3.0
Program Description:

Leadership Across Difference: Lessons from Medieval Spain

Spain, Summer 2022

spain

Program Overview

Are you ready for a life-changing experience in Spain (Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Madrid)?
  • Want to earn 3 credits as part of this 10 day experience?
  • Interested in examining the idea that Muslims, Christians and Jews collaborated and lived together, relatively peacefully, for hundreds of years in Medieval Spain?
  • Ready to learn about leadership and ethics from historical examples of conflict, cooperation and collaboration?
  • Curious about what we can do today to move towards mutual understanding, respect and a focus on the common good?
  • Want to have a leadership course/experience on your transcript and/or resume?
  • Undergraduate or Graduate credit available (see below).
It is not too early to start thinking about how this course can fit into your schedule. Space is limited.
Increasingly, polarization is acknowledged as a significant and dangerous problem in the United States and around the world. In an age of filter bubbles and echo chambers, how can we move towards a more pluralistic society where there is a greater focus on mutual understanding, respect and the common good? During the medieval era, part of what is now Spain was ruled by an Islamic civilization called Al-Andalus. Muslims,
Christians and Jews collaborated and lived together relatively peacefully for hundreds of years. However, this history is also contested. What can today’s students learn from the history of this region of Spain? Using an interdisciplinary approach, this faculty-led study abroad course will help prepare students to be more effective, ethical leaders by introducing them to historical examples of conflict, cooperation and collaboration across difference in Spain. We will examine the history of this region with a specific focus on what we can learn about ethics and leadership across difference that is applicable to students and life today.

Ethics and leadership across difference will be explored from a wide range of disciplines, contexts, and professions. Students and the course facilitator(s) will work together to explore questions such as: How are values and ethics established in individuals, groups and organizations with different backgrounds and worldviews? What are the responsibilities of leaders to establish ethical climates in their organizations and communities? What are the responsibilities of followers and bystanders? Are there, or should there be, universal values and ethical principles in leadership? How does culture influence ethics and leadership? Why do ordinary people behave unethically? Why do good people do bad things? What are some helpful approaches to leading across difference in an ethical manner? How does this all relate to you, today?

This traveling learning community will connect formal knowledge with real world experiences. Student participants will return better prepared to unite communities across difference and have a positive and powerful impact on the Mason community, and beyond.

This will count as a Summer course and can apply to the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) leadership minor (counts as a required course for the minor or as an elective requirement), but you do not need to be in the minor to take the course.

 

Eligibility 

This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students including students who do not attend George Mason University.
 

Credits

3 credits

 

Course Options

Undergraduate:
  • School of Integrative Studies (INTS 498): can count as a substitute for INTS 404 “Ethics and Leadership”
  • Psychology (PSYC 461)
  • Honors College (HNRS 130)
  • History Department (HIST 388)
  • Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CONF 385)
Graduate:
  • School of Integrative Studies (INTS 595)
  • Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CONF 695)

Tentative Program Dates: 

Program dates will be approximately Saturday, May 21 – Monday, May 30, 2022 (the dates may change by a few days at the most, but we will leave no earlier than May 19, 2022 and return from Europe no later than June 4, 2022).

There will be group meetings before our time in Spain. We will start in Toledo, Spain around Sunday, May 22, 2022. We will end in Madrid, Spain around Monday, May 30, 2022. Before applying please make sure you are able to be in Europe for 10 days sometime between around May 18-June 4, 2022.

 

Tentative Itinerary

A sample itinerary is listed below (itinerary is subject to change).
Approximately 2-3 pre-departure meetings at times to be determined during spring semester.

  • DAY 1: Overnight flight from Dulles to Madrid.
  • DAY 2: TOLEDO – arrival in Madrid airport and meet travel director, transfer to Toledo for hotel check in. Upon arrival there will be a panoramic drive around the city with a stop for photo opportunities. In the afternoon there will be an orientation walk around this former capital of Spain. Welcome dinner.
  • DAY 3: TOLEDO – a local guide will introduce you to the highlights of Toledo. Visit the stunning gothic cathedral, the Santa Maria la Blanca synagogue, the Tránsito synagogue and the Santo Tomé Chapel to admire the Burial of the Count of Orgaz by El Greco.
  • DAY 4: SEVILLE – drive to Córdoba where a local guide will lead a visit of the Mezquita and the Jewish quarter. You will also stop for a view of the Mezquita from the other side of the Roman bridge. In the afternoon continue to Seville for dinner and overnight.
  • DAY 5: SEVILLE – a guided tour of the highlights of the city includes the Plaza de España, the jewish quarter, the Cathedral and the Royal Palace (Alcázar).
  • DAY 6: GRANADA – drive to Granada. Upon arrival visit the Royal Chapel to see the tombs of the Catholic Kings.
  • DAY 7: GRANADA – in the morning, upon arrival a local guide will lead a tour of the Alhambra Palace the inspiration for music and stories such as those by Washington Irving. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Generalife Gardens and the Summer Palace. Evening flamenco show in Sacromonte.
  • DAY 8: MADRID – drive to Madrid. Upon arrival enjoy an orientation walk. Tapas dinner.
  • DAY 9: MADRID – a guided visit introduces to to the highlights of the city such as the Royal Palace, the Plaza de España and the Paseo de la Castellana. Free afternoon.
  • DAY 10: Transfer to airport for return flight to the United States.
* Dates and itinerary subject to change. The Global Education Office reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, and/or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Program Cost

Summer 2022: $4,995


The Program Cost for study abroad courses is assessed separately from Mason tuition and fees. This means separate charges are put on your student account for this course, a study abroad tuition charge and a study abroad program fee charge which together equal the published Program Cost for this course.

The cost includes:
  • Tuition for the course (3 credits)
  • Round-trip air transportation from D.C. to Spain (including departure fees)
  • Transportation within Spain with a full time bilingual tour director from our partner Hart Travel
  • 8 nights accommodations (with private bathrooms)
  • 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
  • 24hr emergency service during program
  • Sightseeing tours with local expert guides and site entrances

Not included: 
  • GEO Application Deposit ($200)
  • Passport fees 
  • Visa fees 
  • COVID-19 testing in the U.S. before departure
  • COVID-19 testing while abroad
  • Vaccinations 
  • Some meals 
  • Personal spending 
  • Required textbooks and/or course materials  

Program Payments

The full program fee is charged to your Mason Student Account. 

Application Deposit: $200 non-refundable Application Deposit must be received by the application deadline. This fee is paid online through the MasonAbroad application system.

Final Payment: The final balance payment is made through the Mason Bill+Payment system. Payment is due according to the Mason Payment Schedule.
 
Note: You can make your final payment in the Mason Bill+Payment system even if you do not see the GEO program charge on your student account. George Mason University applies payments to outstanding charges first. If you have an outstanding balance from a previous semester your payments will first go to paying that charge. You will still be responsible for the GEO charge.

Financial Aid: 
In most cases, financial aid (federal, state, institutional financial aid, scholarships, grants or loans) can be used to finance study abroad. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the Office of Financial Aid to review their financial aid package. The Office of Financial Aid is the only office that can determine your aid eligibility.
 
Meeting with your financial aid officer prior to applying to study abroad will help you understand if, how much, and when your aid can be used to study abroad.
 
Confirmation of your financial aid award may not be available until registration and billing for the term in question is final. If aid eligibility changes, or the amount of aid disbursed is lower than anticipated, students are responsible for all remaining account balances or risk late fees, holds on their accounts, and program dismissal.
 
To assist students in the processing of their financial aid, GEO will communicate with the Office of Financial aid those students who plan to utilize financial aid for their specific study abroad program through their application with GEO.  Please note there is no guarantee to students that their aid can be utilized for their specific study abroad program.

If you plan to use federal, state, institutional financial aid, scholarships, grants or loans to finance your study abroad you must:
  • Mark “Yes” to “Do you plan to use Financial Aid to finance your program (federal, state, institutional financial aid, scholarships, grants or loans)?” in your profile in MasonAbroad.gmu.edu.

After acceptance: *Students must be enrolled at least half-time for federal loans and the majority of grant funds. Please refer to the Financial Aid Website for a definition of half-time for undergraduate and graduate students: https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/eligibility.

VA Benefits: The Veterans Administration determines if a program is eligible to receive VA benefit payments based on the participants VA education program. Use of benefits is dependent on type of benefit and type of program. If you plan to use VA benefits to finance study abroad contact your program administrator at ssonkows@gmu.edu to request the "Intent to Use VA Benefits Form." You will complete that form with Mason’s Office of Military Services. To contact Military Services be sure to email them directly at Military@gmu.edu.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy: All participants are bound by the Mason GEO Withdrawal and Refund Policy.


Payment Instructions

For more information on payments, financial aid, and information for non-Mason students:
Payments

Scholarships

GEO offers a number of need- and merit-based scholarships. All Mason students are welcome to apply:
Scholarships

Application Deadline:

January 25th, 2022

 

Application requirements:*

Program Deposit: $200 for all applicants.

Course Selection Questionnaire: You will choose the course(s) you would like to be receive credit for on this program. Check the "Academics" tab to see what courses are offered on this program. If you need help selecting your course, check with your academic advisor.

Passport Status Questionnaire: You do not need a passport to complete this questionnaire or the application. However, if you do not have a valid passport, you should begin applying for one now. The Global Education Office offers Passport Grants to help.

Signature Documents: Read and electronically "sign" the documents regarding the acknowledgement of risk, the pre-departure orientation, and your financial responsibility.Application requirements:* 

Additional requirements for non-Mason applicants:

  • Official transcript: To be mailed or emailed to the Global Education Office at George Mason University.
  • Non-degree Contract Course/Admission Form: Please complete the form and upload it into the questionnaire.
* Additional application requirements may apply to individual programs. Once you open your application, you will see all application requirements.
 

Application instructions:

Academic Director

  Greg Justice
Name Greg Justice
Coordinator of Field Studies		 Nick Lennon, PhD
Director, Leadership Education and Development (LEAD)
Email gjustice@gmu.edu nlennon@gmu.edu
Phone 703-993-1740  
 

GEO Program Administrator

  Sami2
Name Sami Sonkowsky
Email ssonkows@gmu.edu
 


Dates / Deadlines:
Dates / Deadlines:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Summer 2022 01/25/2022 ** Rolling Admission 05/21/2022 05/30/2022

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be immediately notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.