Social Change Workshop
June 13-19, 2009
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
Seminar Director: Jonathan Fortier
Accepted Applicants and Invitees: If you did not complete the pre-seminar registration form in May, your space is not reserved. Please contact seminars@theihs.org if you have not received your pre-seminar emails.
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Congratulations on your acceptance to the Social Change Workshop! You are in for a remarkable experience - meeting new people, discussing new ideas, thinking hard and having fun. We've arranged this set of frequently asked questions to help you prepare for the seminar. Please print off a copy for yourself to bring along as you travel, so that you have all the relevant information on hand.
Don't forget to bring your camera! Our 2009 Photo Contest is looking for great candids taken by participants.
Table of Contents
What should I expect?
o You will be spending the week with 60-70 participants interested in challenging their beliefs about the ideas of liberty. Like you, they desire an environment of open inquiry and intense learning.
o Lectures begin following breakfast every morning and the spirited dialogue continues throughout the day.
o An average of five faculty members will present on the set topics and are more than happy to engage participants outside of the set lecture period.
o The seminar environment is designed to encourage open interaction between students and faculty with shared meals and social hours.
o To become acquainted with new ideas and dig deeper into those which are more familiar.
o You will receive three or four free books while you are at the seminar. Make sure to leave room in your suitcase to take these home!
What policies am I expected to follow?
o All attendees of this seminar are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and respectfully towards their fellow participants, staff, faculty, and our host facility.
o Attendance is expected at all sessions, including discussion groups and meals.
o All participants, including those from the local area, must stay at Brown University throughout the week. For the purposes of this seminar, no exceptions can be made to this policy.
o Also remember that participants in the seminar must abide by the rules of IHS and the host university. Violation of IHS guidelines, host university rules, or the law may be considered grounds for dismissal from the seminar at the discretion of IHS.
When should I arrive and when can I plan to leave?
o Check in will be at Hope College (21 Prospect Street) from 2-4pm on the 13th.
o For a map of campus and parking facilities see Appendix B.
o The seminar ends on the 19th after breakfast.
Where am I staying?
o You will stay in a double occupancy dorm room on the Brown University campus.
o Bed linens and towels will be provided.
o Meals are cafeteria-style and include vegetarian options. If you have other requirements, please request special consideration in advance.
What facilities will be available to me on campus?
o Wireless will be available free throughout the campus.
o Laundry facilities are available in the basement of the dorm.
o Gym usage is free in some areas of campus and requires a fee in others. Please contact your seminar assistant for more information.
What should I pack?
o This "hotel" lacks a wake-up service - bring your own alarm clock.
o Be sure to bring along some pocket money. On Tuesday afternoon and evening there are no scheduled sessions or dinner. You will be able to explore Providence and its attractions, visit friends in the area, or relax on campus.
o Brown does not provide toiletries. Please bring your own.
o Dress is casual. Weather can range from hot (90º F and humid) during the day to cool (60º F) in the evenings. Rain at some point is likely. Bring something warm if AC in the classroom will bother you.
o If you like to play ultimate frisbee or soccer, bring athletic clothing. Seminar participants often make use of their afternoon break to get a little exercise.
What can I do with my day off?
o Providence has many restaurants, parks, museums and other attractions which may be of interest to students on their day off. Some highlights include Roger Williams Park and the Rhode Island School of Design Art Museum.
How do I get there?
o Please remember to take into account the check in time and starting time of the first session when booking your travel plans. Also consider possible traffic delays, transfer time, and other potential hindrances when you estimate your travel time. You want to arrive in time to check in and unwind prior to the seminar.
o We do not recommend booking your flight through Hotwire or similar discount airfare websites, as they usually do not specify a flight time and there is a possibility that you will be late to the conference.
o The city of Providence, Rhode Island is served primarily by the TF Green Airport. See Appendix A for more detailed information on how to get to Brown University from the airport.
o Providence is also accessible by bus through the Greyhound Bus line and also the Massachusets Bay Transit Authority bus. Train travel through Amtrak is also available. For more specific directions on transport to and from Providence (including driving directions from points North, South, East and West) see the travel information in Appendix A.
Appendix A
Airports
o TF Green Airport is 10 minutes from the Brown campus by car or taxi. It is the primary airport for Providence, Rhode Island. The airport is serviced by most national and regional airlines. For driving directions from the airport to campus see Google Maps. Public transit options are also available through the previous link by Google.
o For taxi and shuttle services from the airport please see the following options:
Airport Taxi & Limousine Service
(401) 737-2868
2000 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Aero-Airport Limousine Service (Providence shuttle)
(401) 737-2868
2000 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Driving Directions
From the East:
- Follow I-195 West and exit at South Main Street (exit 2).
- Proceed to the traffic light at College Street (large courthous at corner), where you will turn right.
- When College Street ends at Prospect Street, you will be facing the Brown Campus. Check-in will be at the Graduate Center. Please consult the campus map for directions to the check-in location.
From the West, North, and South:
- Follow I-95 to I-195 East and exit at Downtown Providence (exit 1).
- Follow exit ramp along river and at second light (College Street), turn right.
- Proceed through the next light (South Main Street) and up the hill to the Brown campus. Check-in will be at the Graduate Center. Please consult the campus map for directions to check-in location.
From the Northwest:
- Route 146 leads to I-95. Follow I-95 to I-195 East and exit at Downtown Providence (exit 1).
- Follow exit ramp along river and at second light (College Street), turn right.
- Proceed through the next light (South Main Street) and up the hill to the Brown campus. Please consult the campus map for directions to check-in location.