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Sojourner Scholar Program

Sojourner Scholar Certificate Program

Eduardo R. Contreras, Ed.D, chair, collaborative for international studies and global outreach (CISGO)

The Sojourner Scholar Program is a certification program that allows students various pathways within their degree programs to demonstrate the highest level of the University’s Global and Intercultural Learning Outcomes (Global and Intercultural Learning Outcomes).  A Sojourner Scholar is prepared to work in the world on global issues with care and understanding for the complexity of human interactions and how they are expressed in cultures around the world. A Sojourner Scholar can use a second language confidently as a means of bridging cultures and developing empathy and shared understanding in a variety of contexts.

Elements of the Program:

Second-language proficiency and significant intercultural and international undergraduate experiences are key components of the program. Sojourner Scholars will work closely with a faculty mentor in their degree programs to create a pathway and to present their experiences and work to the University of Portland community.

I.   Language Requirement: 

All Sojourner Scholars must demonstrate proficiency in at least one language other than English. This is defined as achieving the equivalent of Intermediate High in French, Intermediate High in Spanish, Intermediate High in German according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, or for other languages the equivalent level according to the Defense Language Institute.

II.  Required Courses:

All Sojourner Scholars will be required to take:
  1. An intercultural competence course: SW/SOC 325 Cultural Diversity and Cultural Competence or CST 431 Intercultural Communication and Identity or CST 411 Communication Across Barriers, or CST 432 Gender and International Development. Other intercultural competence courses may be added to this list upon petition to the Sojourner Scholar Advisory Committee. — 3 credit hours
  2. POL 205 World Politics — 3 credit hours
  3. One course in Political Science or History from the following: HST 251, HST 254, HST 256, HST 346, HST 347, HST 351, HST 354, HST 355, HST 356, HST 375, POL 350, POL 353, POL 371, POL 372, POL 373, POL 374, POL 376, POL 377, POL 455, POL 462
  4. Prior to the first study abroad experience, Sojourner Scholars must take CHN/FRN/GRM/SPN 191 Maximizing Study Abroad — 1 credit hour
  5. Each semester Sojourner Scholars are resident on campus, they are required to participate in the one-credit Sojourner Seminar.  In this seminar, students will create a portfolio that will demonstrate how they have accomplished the outcomes of the program. — No more than 3 credit hours

 Total credit hours of required courses: 10

III. Courses in their degree programs (9–12 credit hours). Some or all of these courses may be taken abroad:

Students in CAS:

Two additional courses from the following: Any upper-division FRN, GRM, SPN above 302 except for SPN 307, ECN 426, ECN 439, ECN 440, ENG 337, ECN 440, ENG 301, ENG 337, ENG 338, ENG 375, ENG 480, HST 356, HST 346, HST 347, HST 351, HST 354, HST 355, HST 356, HST 362, HST 375, MUS 309, PHL 331, PHL 336, POL 350, POL 353, POL 371, POL 372, POL 373, POL 374, POL 376, POL 377, POL 455, POL 462, PSY 450, SW 468/SPN 468, THE 358/458

Students in the Professional Schools:

Note: Professional school students with a second major in CAS may follow the CAS pathway or the pathway associated with their primary major.

Students in Pamplin School of Business:

Two additional courses from the following: BUS 360, BUS 441, BUS 443, ECN 440, ECN 426, ECN 429

Students in School of Nursing:

Two additional courses: Two NRS 4XX - specific courses will be developed to meet the criteria for the program. These courses will explore the differences in healthcare culture and delivery in other countries, and specifically evaluate the health outcomes of those in the target population.

Students in School of Education:

Two additional courses from the following: ED 481/581, ED 320/551, ED 403/503, ED 404/504, ED 410, ED 425/525

Note: Specific programs within these schools may develop special pathways by petitioning the Sojourner Scholar Program Advisory Committee.

IV.  Abroad Experiences:

All Sojourner Scholars must have at least one significant international/intercultural experience meeting the requirements described below. In some cases, a student may have two or more international/intercultural experiences none of which by themselves meet the requirements, but which taken together are able to do so. It is the responsibility of the student to make the case in the portfolio that the learning outcomes have been met through the conjunction of these experiences.
  1. Experiences must meet 4 of the 7 criteria for the Sojourner Level of Immersion listed here:

    1. Duration — 12 weeks to one year

    2. Required language  — work or instruction is conducted mostly in the host language

    3. Faculty (or supervisor) interaction — mostly host faculty or supervisor, e.g., direct university enrollment with host faculty

    4. Course work — advanced course work in host language only

    5. Mentoring or guided cultural reflection, e.g., orientation, re-entry program, ongoing reflection program, and required participation in-country activities or mentorship

    6. Experiential learning initiatives — extensive community service, volunteering, local club activities, language exchange, etc.

    7. Housing — homestay, international student dorm, or host roommate

  2. The student may combine several abroad experiences in making their case for Sojourner designation.

Note: If the student’s destination host language is English, students will be asked to describe the ways in which American English differs from the English spoken in their host country in an essay that demonstrates their understanding of the nuances between different types of English. For Sojourner Scholar designation, the student who studies in an English-speaking country will also need to demonstrate proficiency in a language that is not English.

V.  Portfolio

All Sojourner Scholars will compile a portfolio of work (which will include a final paper) that they will use to document how they have achieved the learning outcomes of the program. Their Sojourner faculty mentor will advise them in putting together the experiences and documentation that will form their portfolio.  Additionally, the one-credit Sojourner Scholar Seminar will support and guide them in assembling their portfolio. The Sojourner Scholar Advisory Committee will evaluate the completed portfolios, and students will present their portfolios in a public presentation open to the University of Portland community.

For further information, contact Dr. Contreras, Chair, Collaborative for International Studies and Global Outreach (CISGO), 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203-5798.  Telephone (503) 943-7857. contrera@up.edu