Chicago Semester

Urban Intensive Track

Chicago Semester’s Urban Intensive Track (UIT) allows students to engage more intentionally with the city by living in a diverse Chicago neighborhood, examining urban issues from the perspective of community members, and working with neighborhood organizations on issues that are important to them. The purpose of the track is to equip interested students in understanding the growing global, urban, and multicultural world in which they live, and to prepare them to become active participants in transforming the created order.
 
Using the action-reflection model of learning, the UIT places students in internships with community partners that are addressing the challenges of poverty, race relations, immigration, housing, and economic development. The UIT aims to empower students to live out their faith and values in a changing world.

How is the UIT different from other aspects of CS?

The urban intensive is different in that it immerses students in a diverse Chicago neighborhood, by requiring students to live, work, and learn in that community.

Urban Intensive Track Components

Supervised Urban Internship Placements – students will intern for 3 ½ days in a local institution based on their interest, i.e. urban ministry, community development, non-profit organizations, and other institutions serving Chicago.
Seminars – students will take (2) courses once a week at the Chicago Semester office, which focus on Metropolitan Chicago, Values and Vocations, or Fine Arts.
Biblical and Theological Reflection – students will have an opportunity to reflect on their experience in the community and examine social issues based on scriptural/personal faith perspectives through readings, discussions, prayer, worship and meditation.
Engaging the City – students will experience Chicago’s rich history of architecture, fine arts, restaurants, cultural and religious diversity, and entertainment. Students will have an opportunity to explore a variety of different ethnic neighborhoods in order to learn about different cultures and hear stories from residents and community agencies.
Learning Community – students will be able to participate in a learning community that provides an opportunity to be immersed in a neighborhood with a group of peers who will support and collaborate with one another in a more relaxed environment. Students will have weekly community dinners, periodic recreational or educational outings around the city and time to reflect regularly with their peers.
Housing – students will live in a diverse neighborhood that is rich with community organizing, non-profit agencies, churches, small businesses, and art and culture. This will be arranged in cooperation with local churches and community organizations.

Essential Information

Who can attend? Students should be second semester juniors and/or seniors at the time of coming to Chicago. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or above and previous cross-cultural experience (i.e. study aboard, experiential education in a diverse community, etc.)
When? Fall and spring semesters.
Where? Chicago, IL. Majority of all activities are held in the neighborhood in which students live, but courses will be held at downtown Chicago Semester office.
How much? Students pay the regular tuition rate to their college as though they were full-time students, and the application and deposit fees paid by all Chicago Semester students.
Application Process – All application materials can be found online. Applications are due in the spring for both the following fall and spring semesters. Students are selected based on their interests, experience and academic background.
Credits – students will receive (9) academic credits for the internship and (3) credits for each seminar.
Transportation – students will experience the city via public transportation. All students will purchase a CTA U-Pass, which provides unlimited rides on trains and buses throughout the semester.

For more information, contact UIT Coordinators at 312-922-3243.

UIT Coordinators

Rebecca Burwell, Ph.D.
Cynthia Stewart, M.A, M.T.S.