Call for Catalina Student Retreat Committee Applications

“A polymath is one who not only mastered one or several disciplines, but one who uniquely synthesized them, integrated them.” — Sidney Harman

CALL FOR STUDENT PLANNING COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS

for the Third Annual Harman Academy for Polymathic Study Student Retreat on Catalina Island

March 30-April 1, 2017

The USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study at the USC Libraries announces an exciting opportunity for intellectually curious and creative students.  Five to eight participants will be selected to form an intensive, multi-disciplinary committee for the planning and organization of the 3rd Annual Harman Academy Student Retreat on Catalina Island, March 31-April 2, 2017. 

CONCEPT

The Harman Academy offers a variety of programming that encourages an integrative approach to problem solving that draws from across the disciplines. The annual Student Retreat lets students take the lead in identifying a topic for discussion and in formulating a weekend retreat at USC’s Catalina facilities. In spring 2015, twenty-five students grappled with a variety of issues under the rubric, “Gaps in Communication,” and last year’s retreat centered around the theme “Narratives and Environments.” At both retreats, students and more than a dozen faculty discussed and explored multiple modes of inquiry through structured daytime and evening sessions, outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, and games, with each day culminating in late-night continuing vibrant discussions.

A panel of student organizers will be chosen in the fall via an application process to select the theme, review submissions, and organize the participants for the spring 2017 Student Retreat. The entire conference will be student organized and led, with professors and other guests participating by student invitation. The Student Retreat has already proven an exciting addition to Academy programming that allows students to become engaged in polymathic thought and discussion at a deeper and more sustained level. We look forward to seeing what this year’s committee designs.

For more information, please visit our website at: https://polymathic.usc.edu/

ABOUT THE COMMITTEE

The committee will consist of five to eight USC undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds who will meet throughout the Academic Year to organize, plan, and coordinate the retreat in early late March 2017. The planning meetings will vary based on committee members’ availability and the workflow of the planning process but require a firm commitment from committee participants.

With guidance from the Harman Academy leadership team, the committee will be entirely responsible for the genesis and execution of the retreat – from determining a theme to reading applications and selecting participants to targeting and inviting faculty and other guests. The shape and nature of the weekend will come entirely through the committee’s efforts, fulfilling the Harman Academy’s desire to create an undergraduate retreat that is both by and for students. The conference will aim to reflect the Harman Academy’s commitment to synthesizing and integrating diverse and multi-disciplinary viewpoints. This is an opportunity to shape an exciting part of Harman Academy and USC programming for you and your peers.