Structure of the Program

The main portion of the program consists of two summer sessions of 23 days each in residency at EGS to be completed in consecutive years.  Students will also engage in a field project, either in international settings or in their home countries, between the first and the second summer sessions.  The summer programs in expressive arts at EGS take place within an arts-based community setting.  In addition to courses, students in this program participate in community events, such as lectures, performances and excursions, together with students training to be expressive arts therapists, educators, coaches and consultants.  

Courses:

The courses in the MAPS program are offered on a modular basis in alternative years. Students may study either course sequence, depending upon the year in which they begin the program. Students admitted in 2008 as well as returning students will take the course sequence which includes the course entitled: "Expressive Arts in Group Contexts". New students and returning students will join together for all of the courses except for the core courses where they will be separated according to whether they are entering students or returning students.

Summer School #1

1. Core Course
This course offers training in expressive arts theory and practice through group interaction and reflection.  The course will emphasize experimentation and exploration in the arts as well as offering an opportunity for learning how groups and teams work.
      
2. Foundations of Expressive Arts
This course reviews and explores the basic principles and practices in the field of expressive arts as they apply to issues of social change.  Special emphasis will be placed upon the role of aesthetics within a critical social perspective, both theoretically and in terms of concrete practices.
 
3. Community Art
This course presents the fundamental methods and practice of arts-based work with groups and communities undergoing change, with an emphasis on working in situations of social upheaval.  In the learning frame, students are involved in practicing the principles that are introduced.

4. Working with Expressive Arts in International or Intercultural Contexts
This course, focusing on issues arising when working in international or intercultural contexts, will be taught by presenters with extensive field experience. Basic elements in the design and sustainability of arts-based projects in the field will be studied, as well as departure preparation, first encounters, building alliances, adapting to unusual situations, carrying through projects, leave-taking and adjustment to being home.
 
5.  Cultural Issues in the Arts and Social Change
This course focuses on issues arising from the encounter with other cultures, internationally or in one’s own country. Emphasis will be placed on intercultural understanding and on cultivating the mutual respect necessary for effective practice.

Summer School #2

1. Core Course
This course offers training in expressive arts theory and practice through group interaction and reflection. Returning students will also present and reflect on their field-work projects and envision perspectives for future work in the field.

2. Foundations of Expressive Arts and Social Change
This course reviews and explores the basic principles and practices in the field as they apply to issues of social change.   Special emphasis will be placed upon the ways in which fundamental concepts of expressive arts can be applied to social change processes.

3.  Leadership in the Arts and Social Change Processes
This course explores the general principles of leadership in the field of the arts and social change, as well as the specific resources that each student brings to the work. Students will be encouraged to develop their own leadership skills through practice in the class.

4.  Expressive Arts Interventions in Situations of Crisis and Conflict
This course will be taught by guest presenters who are experienced   in working with the arts in difficult situations.  Among the topics studied will be assessing the resources and needs in the community, building support at the local level, developing appropriate arts-based interventions, and training local leaders to carry on projects.  

5. Expressive Arts in Group Contexts
This course will present the basic principles of group work in relation to the use of the arts.   Special attention will be given to the role of crisis and conflict in group development and how the arts can affect change in these situations.

Required Tasks

Between the two summer schools, students complete a set of required tasks:

• Field-work project under supervision.  With the assistance and approval of the Program Director, students choose areas in which they would like to work and set up placements with supervision for the academic year.  Placements might include work with non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups and community groups in both local and global contexts, as well as with arts, human rights, social justice and peace organizations.

• Review of the significant literature in the field of expressive arts and social change with an aim towards the development of the student’s own perspective. A specific list of required readings will be provided.

• A final paper focusing on the field-work project.  The paper gives an account and evaluation of the student’s field-work, in terms of the resources and limitations of both the student and the project itself.