A
Summer Training Program for Pro-Life College Students
June 30 - August 9,
2008
Washington, D.C.
A project of the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund
Program Overview
Who: Committed pro-life college students
interested in obtaining a quality education on the life issues. We
are seeking dedicated young people willing to invest the necessary
time and effort to learn everything they can to make a difference
for life!
What: An intensive six-week
program that will teach students all the critical information they
need to effectively argue and defend the life issues on campuses and
in the workplace as well as the skills needed to organize and
conduct pro-life groups. Practice and individualized coaching in the
areas of debate, presentation and lobbying will accompany
college-level lectures and discussions on a wide range of life
issues. A variety of courses will be offered, along with individual
lectures and guest speakers to round out the program.
When: June 30 – August
9, 2008
Where: Washington, D.C.
Why: The future of the
pro-life movement rests on the shoulders of our youth. How we train
them today will determine their effectiveness in the years and
decades to come. We need to give them the tools and support they
need to defend the cause of the unborn and vulnerable – on the
college campuses of today and in the hospitals, newsrooms,
classrooms, and courtrooms of tomorrow.
How: It’s easier than you
think! Pass this packet along to the most fired-up, excited, eager
pro-life college students you know, and do what you can to help them
raise the money to attend. Fundraising ideas for the local level
will be available soon!
Course Descriptions
“Clash of Ethics”
This course will compare
and contrast the “quality of life” ethic with the “equality/sanctity
of life” ethic. The differences between the view that every living
person has an equal dignity and right to life and the view that the
right to live is based on physical, mental or intellectual capacity
will be highlighted. Course work will require a fair amount of
out-of-class reading with assignments that involve critiquing
articles and texts that support each viewpoint. Students will learn
to defend the sanctity of life ethic by understanding what drives
the opposing viewpoint.
“Biological Fundamentals”
This course teaches the
basic biological facts of the life spectrum from conception to
death. Students will master the basics of fetal development, as well
as what constitutes actual death. Course work will also deal with
sophisticated objections to the consistency of a biologically-based
“equality/sanctity of life ethic” including those related to
twinning, parthenogenesis and related issues. Lecture and discussion
will be supplemented by a practicum in which students will practice
making presentations on and answering objections to the biological
fundamentals.
“Pro-Abortion Arguments”
This course will review
and critique pro-abortion arguments ranging from rape/incest and the
population explosion to the Judith Jarvis Thompson “violinist”
argument. Reading, lecture, and discussion will be interspersed with
an intensive practicum in which students will repeatedly practice
rebutting pro-abortion arguments in mock presentations, lobbying and
media interviews.
“Debating Pro-Life and
Pro-Abortion Proposals”
This course will review
the content and arguments of pro-life and pro-abortion legislative
proposals including informed consent, unborn pain, parental
involvement, anti-coercion, embryonic stem cell funding, abortion
funding and others. Students will practice making and rebutting
arguments concerning such proposals in the context of presentations,
lobbying and media interviews.
“Lifesaving Medical Treatment,
Food and Fluids: Ethics and Law”
This course will examine
the ethical issues surrounding the provision and withholding of
lifesaving medical treatment, food and fluids including history and
court decisions on infanticide and euthanasia from Karen Ann Quinlan
to Terri Schindler Schiavo. It will cover advance directives
including the “Will to Live.” Students will practice making
presentations and engaging in debates concerning these issues.
“Assisting Suicide and Direct
Killing”
This course will examine
in detail legislative proposals on the federal and state levels to
legalize assisted suicide and active euthanasia. Practicum will
include making and rebutting arguments on such proposals in the
context of presentations, lobbying and media interviews.
“Involuntary Euthanasia:
Hospital Ethics Committees and Government Rationing”
This course will deal
with the growing practice and threat of denial of lifesaving medical
treatment against the wishes of patients and families. It will cover
“futility protocols” in health care facilities and legislation to
require treatment pending transfer in cases in which hospitals
refuse to treat endangered patients. It will examine the impact of
rationing and managed care on patient mortality with particular
emphasis on Medicare and proposals for universal health insurance.
Intensive practicum will allow students to practice making and
rebutting arguments in the context of presentations, lobbying and
media interviews.
“History of Abortion,
Euthanasia and the Pro-Death and Pro-Life Movements”
This lecture and
discussion course will cover attitudes toward and practice of
abortion and euthanasia from ancient times to the present. It will
include discussion of principal organizations and leaders on both
sides of the issue, Roe v. Wade and subsequent key court decisions,
and key legislation and legislative proposals of the past.
“Lessons Learned: Movements for
Social Change”
“Those who do not learn
from history are condemned to repeat it.” Regardless of their
overall merits, historical movements for social change have much to
teach us about strategies and tactics to emulate and avoid.
Movements studied will include abolition, civil rights, voting
rights, prohibition and the legalization of abortion and euthanasia.
This is a lecture and discussion course; students may each be
assigned to write a term paper of moderate length on lessons for the
pro-life movement from one of the past social movements.
“Tactical Use of Meeting Rules”
Pro-life advocates need
to know “the rules” and how they affect assemblies such as
legislatures, private organizations and medical groups. It’s not
enough to know the arguments for life; you also have to know
understand the rules that govern how decisions are made or, nine
times out of ten, you will be outsmarted by opponents who do. Future
pro-life leaders will need to be equipped to preside over these
critical groups. This course will include practice in making and
debating proposals (“motions”) and chairing meetings, and will
conclude with a test to accredit students as members of the National
Association of Parliamentarians.
Additional Courses and Topics/ Possible Speakers
“A Winning Strategy for Life”
“Grassroots Organizing and Expanding Membership”
“Organizing and Conducting Pro-Life College Groups on
Campus”
“Influencing Election of Pro-Life Candidates”
“Public Opinion Polling on Abortion and Euthanasia
Issues”
“Knowing a Principal Opponent: Understanding and
Exposing Planned Parenthood”
“Bringing the Pro-Life Message to Minority
Communities”
“Religious Outreach – How to Reach Pastors and
Congregations”
“The Feminist Case for Pro-Life”
“Understanding the Legislative Process and Effective
Lobbying Techniques”
“Fundamentals of Fundraising”
“Understanding and Helping Post-Abortive Women and
Men”
“Effective Speaking Techniques”
“Effective Debating Techniques”
“Using the Internet Effectively”
“Preventing and Coping with Burnout”
“Communicating Effectively in Print”
“Why the Pro-Life Movement Needs Freedom of Speech
-- the Danger of ‘Campaign Finance
Reform’”
Cost Breakdown
Tuition
Cost per Student:
Room
($32/night x 41) $1312
Meals
($20/day x 41) $820
Materials
$250
Misc. $
118
Total:
$2500
Application Form
(Registration
Deadline : To Be Determined
– but since attendance is limited to 10,
early applications are encouraged)
Name___________________________________________
Address
___________________________________City_______________________
State_______ Zip _____________
Telephone
Number ( ) ________________________
Email
address ______________________________ Age ______ Gender ________
Release Form
While I
understand that National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund will
take reasonable steps to provide for my individual safety, I am
aware that NRLETF and its employees or agents cannot assume any
responsibility for any injury, damage, or harm which might result
during the course of participation in any activity connected to the
National Right to Life Academy.
In
consideration of my participation, I agree that such responsibility
will remain with me. Should any claim be asserted by any person, as
a result of my acts while participating in the activity described
above, or traveling to, from, or part of such activity, or should I
assert any claim against NRLETF or its employees or agents, I agree
to indemnify and hold NRLETF and its employees or agents harmless
from any such claim, including attorney fees and costs incurred in
defense thereof.
Signature
_______________________________________________________________
Name
Printed ___________________________________________________________
Date
________________________________
Please
attach a brief (2-5 page) explanation of your pro-life beliefs and a
description of your past pro-life activity.
Deadlines
for a $500 deposit and for payment of the
$2000 balance will be established. Please
mail application to:
National Right to Life Academy, attn: Jacki Ragan, 512 – 10th
St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. All applicants are subject to
approval by the National Right to Life Ed Trust Fund. We reserve
the right to refuse applicants who, in our opinion, do not reflect
the character of the National Right to Life Academy.
For more information please contact
Megan McCum at
nrlcacademy@gmail.com or call
703-994-8720. |
