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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.