GCAS Student Handbook
May, 1, 2023
The Global Center for Advanced Studies
1740 44th St. SW, Box 156
Wyoming, Michigan
45519
USA
Contact: <[email protected]>
+1. 416.658.1805
Welcome to the student handbook for The Global Center for Advanced Studies
Names of the Governing Bodies (Statement of Organization)
The Global Center for Advanced Studies is opperated by The Global Center for Advanced Studies, Inc.
President
Professor, Dr. Alain Badiou
Board of Directors
Andi Sciacca (President of the Board)
Dr. Creston Davis (Secretary)
Jay Brindo (CFO)
Dr. Azfar Hussain
Mr. Michael Wassell
Director of Education & Technology: Michael Smith
The Structure of the Global Center for Advanced Studies (GCAS) and Faculty
The Global Center for Advanced Studies is organized to train and teach students to become masters of both critical theory as well as in policy studies and other related subjects. Critical theory trains students to not just think critically about logic, the organization of social, political and economic power, history, ideology, and various forms of injustices functioning in the world today, but to also give students the tools to enact and apply critical thinking into local and global communities in which we function. Thinking critically is only one goal that we seek to achieve, but left to itself it remains powerless unless it is applied to concert situations and struggles for justice.
The GCAS not only has the best faculty in the world for critical theory, but also has a vast wealth of global social networking resources to place students into unique and precise internship experiences that address social change and gives the student invaluable experience applying critical theory to everyday reality. These internship experiences will be made available in due course.
The GCAS has organized eight institutes within our school and one common “Think Tank.�? These institutes reflect our desire to provide the world’s best comprehensive graduate school in critical theory and policy studies as well as specialized applied areas of research as reflected in our eight institutions and areas of scholarship.
(1) Critical Philosophy, Dr. Sigrid Hackenberg
(2) Policy Studies, Dr. Benjamin Balak
(3) Media & Cultural Studies, Dr. Giovanni Tusa
(4) Critical Theology, Dr. Creston Davis
(5) Psychoanalysis (Neuroanalysis), Dr. Julie Reshe
(6) Global Studies, Dr. Azfar Hussain
(7) Institute for Humanities & Social Sciences, Dr. Gregory Sadler
(8) Institute for the Arts, Rebecca Weisman
Please note that by January, 2016 all institutes above will be authorized to grant certificates and diplomas.
Calendar of School Holidays: At present there are no scheduled holidays
Enrollment dates and entrance requirements for each program.
The GCAS has a rolling-admissions policy. This means that we accept applications every day of the year for every program. Because it takes time to carefully review each application we ask that the student apply as early as possible and no less than one week prior to the start date of each seminar or course. The start date will be clearly identified on our website next to the requisite seminar/course.
Because the GCAS understands its nature as most fundamentally serving the public good, our seminars are open to any applicant over the age of eighteen (18) (with few exceptions) and so long as the tuition is paid and the student is in good standing. A GCAS student is someone who has enrolled in any seminar and/or has paid the annual tuition fees. Our calendar year begins January 1 and ends December 31, thus our academic year is identical to the calendar year.
There are different categories for student enrollment including but not limited to the following:
Certificate & Diploma-Seeking Student: this is a student who seeks to complete a diploma issued by the GCAS. Students seeking a diploma must meet the requirements for entrance into this program. For entrance requirements please see below (Admission Requirements, page 12).
General Public Interest: This is a student or Faculty Fellow who may wish to enroll in one or more seminars for personal development and enhancement. The only requirement for taking a seminar under this category is that the applicant must be over eighteen years of age (with few exceptions) and be in good standing with the GCAS.
Student Note: The GCAS is not authorized to grant degrees. We are only authorized to grant Certificates and Diplomas. Our long-term plan is to seek accreditation, but a student should not enroll with GCAS with the expectation of them procuring a degree from our school. We will inform the public about our progress regarding accreditation status, but for the time being we are not authorized to grant degrees.
Policy relative to absences, leaves, tardiness, make-up work, and suspension for unsatisfactory work or attendance and re-entrance conditions
Our policy for absences, tardiness, and make-up work will be clearly delineated on each seminar/course syllabus. If a student seeks a leave-of-absence they must request this in writing to the Dean of Students, Dr. Daniel Tutt & Faculty advisor. A GCAS student can be suspended for unsatisfactory work if they fail to meet the requirements delineated on the seminar/course syllabus.
A former GCAS student may apply for re-admittance one year after they have been dismissed for not being in good standing or other reasons. The re-admittance decision will be made by the Dean of Students & Faculty Affairs. The application for re-admittance will be the same one as the original application located on our website.
A student may be dismissed for violating the law or student conduct policies. A student may appeal the decision of the Dean of Students & Faculty Affairs. In this case a committee will be formed from the volunteers of the GCAS faculty who will meet and deliberate the student’s case. They will make a recommendation to the Dean of Students & Faculty Affairs who will then make the final decision.
Grading
Student Performance & Evaluation
The GCAS believes the traditional grading system (A, B, C etc.) is too impersonal and too susceptible to dishonest feedback about a student’s performance, gifts and abilities with respect to the seminar material. As a consequence, the GCAS grading system will be based on a detailed written evaluation of the student’s strengths and a detailed analysis on aspects that the student could improve upon. The student will be informed if her or his performance did not satisfactorily meet the requirements. These requirements will be clearly identified on each syllabus and provided to the students at the beginning of each seminar and course.
Rules of student conduct and conditions for probation or dismissal
A GCAS student must conduct themselves within the parameters of decency and respect and be in good standing. If a student violates the law they may be dismissed. Under some conditions if a student’s conduct is thought to be out of order they may be placed on probation. A student’s probation will be spelled out clearly to them by the Dean of Students & Faculty Affairs.
Whether credit is allowed for previous education and training
Under some conditions a student may be allowed to submit previous course work for GCAS credit, which will be considered by the Director, Dr. Creston Davis. The Academic Dean may grant previous work as credit for GCAS seminars/courses. Certified transcripts are required along with previous course syllabus/syllabi and must be supplied to the Director for her/his consideration. If a student seeks a GCAS diploma they may not transfer other previously taken courses (with few exceptions).
Equipment to be furnished by the school (or rented)
The GCAS will commonly and routinely rent out classroom or lecture hall space for assigned seminars. In each instant, the GCAS will provide a venue that has been certified by public officials and regulators as a designated safe space, unless such laws do not apply.
Certificate & Diploma
Update Forthcoming 1 August, 2023
Our certificate & Diploma programs will begin 1 September, 2023
We are featuring a few courses until our Fall term begins. These courses are open to the public with a cost of $150/credit & $75 to audit.
Complaints:
We understand that cause for filing a complaint may arise. In this event it is our intention to resolve all complaints internally to the GCAS. We will do our best to demonstrate fairness. However, if the student or attendee believes the complaint is not resolved they may file a complaint with the State of Michigan at:.
Enrollment & Matriculation into the GCAS
Forthcoming 1 August, 2023
Refund Policy:
The GCAS does not charge an application fee. After tuition and fees are paid by the applicant, he or she may request them back in full upon request, if that request is made in writing or verbally within three business days after paying tuition and/or other related fees all refunds will be returned within 30 days.
Refund policy: “All tuition and fees paid by the applicant shall be refunded if the applicant is rejected by the school before enrollment. There is no application fee. All tuition and fees paid by the applicant shall be refunded if requested within three business days after paying tuition and/or other related fees. All refunds shall be returned within 30 days.�?
Refund policy additional information:
After 3 days, a student that requests a full refund must do so in writing (via email) to the Director at <[email protected]>. The Dean will take the student’s request into consideration. Any request that is made after three (3) days of paying tuition and related fees and within three (3) weeks of the start of the course, the student will not be refunded under most conditions.
Scholarships:
We are currently raising funds for scholarships.
Tuition & Fees
GCAS thinks education should be free and that is a vision we are working toward in hopes of accomplishing this goal as soon as possible. We nevertheless must face the realities of providing the best undergraduate level and graduate level education in the world today. As a result, we need to charge tuition for attending the GCAS at least in the short term. Tuition has risen to impossible heights in the United States since the 1980s, but the GCAS is breaking with the model that only perceives the student as a commodity, using them as a means from which to make a profit. By contrast, the GCAS is a non-profit organization. So we do have to charge tuition which is $150/credit hour.
There are no enrollment fees or application fees at the GCAS.
Additional Costs:
The GCAS is absolutely committed to providing an unparalleled education in critical theory and cultural studies and other related fields of study. We seek to provide the students with the best resources available with as little or no expense as possible. However there are some instances, owing to the nature of our unique school that additional fees may apply. For example there may be extra fees for the cost of a venue (i.e., lecture hall or classroom space). Under normal circumstances there will be no additional cost applied, however, because we will have seminars in different locations, securing an appropriate venue (size, quality etc.) may result in an extra fee charged for the requisite seminar course. We will do our very best to avoid this by informing the student ahead of time.
Admission Requirements for GCAS
Forthcoming by August 1, 2023
Equipment
The GCAS will be using equipment strictly conducive to accomplishing the learning goals of each course/seminar including (but not restricted to): Paper, pencil, Laptop, computer (desktop), white/black board, chalk, lecture podium, desks, chairs, a venue (classroom that is officially approved as safe to occupy according to the Fire Marshal).
Personnel qualification for all official GCAS position-holders:
President, Director, Professor
President: Personal & professional qualifications include:
- A terminal degree, which is a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D.) from an accredited University
- Teaches at least one seminar course at least once every two years
- Actively supports the goals, missions, and aims of The Global Center for Advanced Studies.
Director: personal & professional qualifications include:
- A terminal degree, which is a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D.) from an accredited University.
- Teaches at least one seminar course at least once every two years
Professor: personal & professional qualifications include:
- A terminal degree, which is a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D.) or a Masters of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) from an accredited University, unless otherwise appointed by the Director
- Generally supports the goals, missions, and aims of The Global Center for Advanced Studies.
- Teach (or be willing to teach) one seminar course at least once every two years.