Discovering culture and politics:
Dispatches from Paris
Introduction
Sarah Weaver
Sarah Weaver, undergraduate student in French and Francophone Studies and International Studies, is one of 20 award recipients of the 2007 Undergraduate Discovery Summer Grant.
Financed by the Office of Undergraduate Education, the grant provides $2,500 to 20 students each year to pursue research over the summer under the direct supervision of a faculty member. The goal of the program is to enrich the undergraduate research experience at Penn State, especially when it requires expensive equipment or travel. Program director and assistant dean of Undergraduate Education Mary Beth Crowe explains, "Our hope is to engage undergraduate students in Penn State's research and creative community. Working closely with faculty mentors, the students are active contributors to their fields. Many go on to publish their results or present them at professional conferences."
To be eligible for the grant, students must submit a personal information sheet, a two-page project proposal, and a letter of recommendation. Additionally, students who are selected must submit a summary of their learning experience at the end of the summer. "Students discover the rewards and the challenges of research," says Crowe.
While in Paris pursuing her research topic, "The Changing Cultural Politics of French in a Global Context: L'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie," Sarah is sending back a series of dispatches, describing her studies and explorations for RPS readers.