Transfer Passport Program

Due to popular demand the deadline has been extended: November 15 for May Program!

Passport Program

 

Now students transferring into St. John’s University have the option to participate in a Global Studies program as soon as they start. In fact, if you choose to participate, your first class can be at either our Rome or Paris Campuses. 

Though the bulk of your Passport Program course will take place in New York during the fall or spring semester, this innovative study abroad option provides you with the opportunity to live in, study, and explore Rome or Paris for a 10-day period at the beginning or end of a semester. This truly unique experience sets St. John’s apart from other colleges and universities.

The program integrates the local resources of our campuses abroad by taking you on day trips to places like the Louvre or the Roman Coliseum, and it also includes field trips to nearby cities like Versailles or Florence. Based on your academic needs and course availability, you will be able to choose from among the following core classes—courses that you’re most likely going to need during your time at St. John’s: 

  • ENG 1000 - English Composition: An intensive writing course emphasizing critical thinking, reading, and writing practices. The course focuses on writing as a mode of communication and a social activity, as well as a matter of negotiating the expectations of different audiences and rhetorical conventions of multiple genres.
     
  • ENG 1100 - Literature in a Global Context: This writing-intensive course examines literature from a global perspective. While familiarizing students with literary genres and texts, the course introduces students to writing and critical thinking about culture, cultural difference and social values.
     
  • DNY 1000 - Discover New York: DNY is an introduction to New York City through the lens of a particular academic discipline. The course focuses on the themes of immigration, race/ethnicity, religion, wealth and poverty and the environment. Students are required to take field trips as a part of their study.
     
  • SCI 1000 - Scientific Inquiry: This course introduces students to the fundamental processes of science through the exploration of specific topics in modern science.
     
  • PHI 1000 - Philosophy of the Human Person: An investigation of the general question “What does it mean to be a human person?” Special emphasis on the nature of human freedom, consciousness and cognition, and the origin and significance of life. Central to the course will be a discussion of the spirituality, immortality and dignity of the human person. The course begins with an introduction to philosophy and to critical thinking.
     
  • THE 1000 - Perspectives on Christianity: An introduction to Christianity highlighting belief statements, practices, scripture, rites, theological writings, artistic expressions, and other discourses manifesting and expressing the Christian faith in its various traditions through its development.
     
  • HIS 1000 - Emergence of a Global Society: A survey of the historical foundations of contemporary societies: global dissemination of scientific, technological and industrial revolutions; the spread of world religions, democracy and internationalism; accommodation and resistance to Western hegemony; globalization as a historical force.
     
  • SPE 1000 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking: Basic principles of purposive speaking. Students apply these principles to several oral presentations with primary emphasis on extemporaneous public speaking.
     
  • PHI 3000 - Metaphysics: (Prerequisite: PHI 1000C). An introductory course which attempts to articulate ultimate principles of knowing and being. Central questions to be considered are: Is there evidence of God’s existence and correspondingly, is there a solution to the problem of evil? Does human cognition permit of ultimate foundations? Is nature teleological and if so can it serve as an
    objective standard of value? The course also considers traditional metaphysical aspirations in the context of contemporary challenges from the physical and social sciences.

Reimagine these core classes through the international lens of the Passport Program. In these unique classes, professors will utilize the historic and cultural riches of each city to bring the academic content to life. For example, you might:  

  • Become a better writer by exploring themes that bridge cultures, enriching your academic skills through guided writing exercises that ask you to compare the architecture of cities on both sides of the Atlantic.
  • Gain a better understanding of New York’s history by putting its emergence in the context of other world capitals, like the “City of Lights.”

In addition, the Passport Program reinforces the St. John’s Vincentian heritage by asking students to give back by giving of themselves, immersing themselves in local culture through volunteer work at places like Rome’s Caritas soup kitchen. This unique experience shows you a far different, more enriching side of the city that is rarely seen by tourists.

Through your academic study, guided tours and community service, you become a metropolitan citizen – a citizen not just of our New York City campuses, but of the world.

Beyond choosing a campus—either Rome or Paris—you’ll have a few simple choices to make when you apply for the Passport Program:

Fall 2010:
Students interested in taking advantage of this experience in the fall semester have two choices:

  • You can start your academic experience at St. John’s with a 10-day study abroad experience in Rome or Paris in August.  You would then complete your coursework during the fall 2010 semester in New York. 
  • You can also choose to start in New York this fall, then study abroad during the winter break.


Spring 2011:
If you’re interested in the spring semester, you’ll start your coursework in New York, then complete the term with a study abroad experience in Rome or Paris in May.  

The cost of the Passport Program is $1,650 and includes many meals, bus trips and accommodations on our Rome, Italy or Paris, France campus. Note, however, that airfare is not included in the program fee. 

After participating in our Passport Program, you will be encouraged to participate in one of our semester-long Global Studies programs and will be looked upon to serve as a "Global Ambassador," promoting and encouraging study abroad for undergraduates.

For full consideration, please apply by June 21st for the Fall 2010 program and July 31st for the Spring 2011 program. Just fill out our Passport Program application and return the completed application, along with the $250 nonrefundable deposit to:

Karl Rutter
Director, Office of Global Studies
St. John’s University
Office of Global Studies
Lourdes Hall
Queens, NY 11439
Email: globalstudies@stjohns.edu
Phone: 718-990-6105
Fax: 718-990-2321