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Freshman Seminar Away in Detroit, Michigan

August 2-8, 2009

Art, Creativity and Economic Development

Building on its rich artistic, musical, and literary history, Detroit is transforming itself into a world-class center for creativity and innovation. Immerse yourself this summer in a 2-credit course that will take you inside the Detroit arts scene.

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About the program
In 1959, Berry Gordy received a loan of $800 to establish a record label.  This label became Motown Records, a multi-million dollar corporation that would export the Motwon Sound to the nation and the world.  This is one of the more famous Detroit stories that combines creative expression and grass-roots entreupreneurship.  But there are many other stories, large and small, worth exploring.  Art, music, literature, and other forms of expression have a rich tradition of fueling Detrot's economic success.  As writers like Richard Florida draw attention to the new "creative economy," the case of Detroit allows us to explore how human creativity and artistic expression can empower citizens and enrich our lives.

This seminar  explores the relationship between creativity and economic development in Detroit through a multi-day, immersive experience in the city. During our visit to, we will…..

  • Discover some of the coolest art and cultural venues in the city from the DIA to the new artist colony at the Russell Industrial Center to public art and landmarks that are uniquely Detroit.
  • Meet and talk with writers, musicians, artists and community leaders.   Learn about their creative process, economic collaborations and entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Explore a hidden museum for techno music as well as historic jazz and Motown landmarks in the city.
  • Visit Mexicantown, Greektown, and Corktown to see how art and culture are used to transform neighborhoods and advance Detroit’s economy.
  • Experience the city by taking in a performance or two, a Tigers game, and some of the best food in town.

Dr. Sheridan will guide your exploration of Detroit’s vibrant creative arts scene by challenging you to discuss your learning as seminar participants. Readings and academic assignments are designed to enhance your understanding and awareness of aesthetic and economic contexts of art and creativity.

PROGRAM FACULTY
Your professor is Dr. David Sheridan, an Assistant Professor in the Residential College for Arts and Humanities at Michigan State University. His interests include writing and rhetoric, especially the intersection of rhetoric, new media, and participation in public life. More specialized interests include "serious games" and simulations, instructional technology, the city of Detroit, and alternative learning spaces and structures (like writing centers and living-learning communities). Dr. Sheridan has a BA from University of Michigan (where he focused on creative writing in the Residential College), an MFA in creative writing from Western Michigan University, and a PhD in English from Michigan State University. He has also served as associate director and (briefly) director of the Writing Center at MSU. When he has a spare moment, Dave dabbles in photography and new media and looks for opportunities to play the drums in various garage-band venues.

Dr. Sheridan loves working with students and has a passion for the City of Detroit. You are welcome to contact him at sherid16@msu.edu or (517) 884-1326. He will be residing in Atchison Hall with you during the program.

Your program coordinator is Courtney Chapin. She is a Field Career Consultant for the College of Arts and Letters in the Career Services Network. Courtney earned her B.A. in English at Michigan State and her M.A. in English from Western Michigan University. She has taught writing and English at both WMU and Lansing Community College. In her role as Field Career Consultant, Courtney still does some of what she did as a writing instructor: help students to reflect on their experiences and point of view as they craft their own story. Whether it’s an existential question about the meaning of life, or a seemingly routine resume critique, Courtney’s mission is to help students connect their passions to a paycheck.

Courtney's expertise in writing, editing, new media, and publications ranges from poetry to websites to screenplays and executive summaries for films. She will be living on site with students in Atchison Hall, coordinating logistics, and providing additional student support. You are welcome to contact her at chapinco@msu.edu.

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
Students in this program must exhibit a high level of personal responsibility and appropriate behavior. Based on the short, intensive nature of the program, students are expected to keep their focus on academic and programmatic participation. All students in the program are required to reside in Atchison Hall at Wayne State University for residential portion of the seminar in Detroit, MI. Students are also required to attend two class meetings during the first half of fall semester.

WHERE YOU WILL STAY AND LEARN
Faculty and students will be staying in Atchison Hall at Wayne State University. Students will be assigned a double room equipped with two twin beds, private bathroom, dresser, desks and chairs.

  • Live-in community director and student resident assistants
  • Study rooms and social lounges on each floor
  • Each room equipped with high-speed Internet connection and cable
  • Fully equipped on-site laundry facilities
  • Staffed 24-hour reception desk with OneCard access system for campus safety and security.

Students will have access to the Wayne State University campus. There are a variety of dining options available, as well as shopping and services on campus.

Our primary classrooms will be at Wayne State University or the Russell Industrial Center. Transportation to/from field experience sites around the city will be provided by the faculty member and staff coordinator in two ten-passenger vans.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND FEE
The Freshman Seminar Away in Detroit, Michigan is an exciting way for first-year freshmen to begin their academic career. The seminar is open to all first-year freshmen entering Michigan State University. Only first-year college students are eligible.

We encourage students to apply as early as possible, but no later than June 5, 2009. Due to the limited number of spaces available, the seminar may fill in advance of the deadline.

Once admitted to Michigan State University, you may submit your application to the MSU Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education in person, by fax, or by mail. A complete application requires your signature and a parent’s/guardian’s signature if you are under age 18 at the time of application. Upon receipt of your completed application, a $100 application fee will be billed to your MSU account. This application fee will applied to your overall program fee if you are admitted to the seminar. If you are not granted admission into the seminar, the $100 application fee will be removed from your bill.

If admitted into the seminar, you will receive an official acceptance packet in the mail. To confirm your admission into the seminar, you must sign and return specific forms included in the acceptance packet to the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education within two weeks of the date of your acceptance letter or you may lose your space in the seminar. The $100 application fee is non-refundable once you confirm attendance into the seminar and the remainder of the program fee, $275, will be billed to your MSU account.

Admission into this seminar requires that you maintain your status as an MSU freshman and be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Withdrawal from the seminar may result in financial penalties, as explained in the Withdrawal section below. (NOTE: Your participation may be denied or your participation approval may be revoked if your conduct before departure raises doubts as to your suitability for seminar participation.)

ACADEMIC CREDIT, TUITION, & PROGRAM FEE
If accepted to the program you will be registered for UGS 103 and charged for two credits of tuition as part of your fall tuition bill. In addition to your tuition, you will also be charged a program fee of $375, which includes:

  • application fee ($100)
  • lodging while in Detroit
  • 16 meals
  • books and academic resources
  • ground transportation and admissions for excursions and field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

  • Transportation to and from Detroit, Michigan
  • additional meals/snacks
  • personal spending money

Both tuition and program fees will be billed to your MSU student account.

WITHDRAWAL
If you withdraw from the program after confirming your acceptance you will be financially responsible for your $100 application fee. To withdraw, you must notify the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education in writing by letter, fax, or email no later than July 1, 2009. The Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education will not accept verbal cancellations by phone. If you withdraw from the seminar after the July 1, 2009 deadline, you will remain financially responsible for the entire program fee of $375.

APPLICATION FORM
Detroit Freshman Seminar Away Application
Complete the application and return it to the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education 113 Student Services Building, East Lansing, MI 48824 or fax it to (517) 432-2069.

Contact for more information:
Sandra Walther
swalther@msu.edu
(517) 353-5380
Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education
312 Administration Building
East Lansing, MI 48824