Frequently Asked Questions

Will I still receive a stipend, even though the institute is virtual?

Yes. You will receive a $2,200 stipend, which you can read more about at this link.

If I applied to the institute last year and want to update my materials, what should I do?

At this time, there is no way to edit or update past application materials. You should instead submit a new application, and we will remove your 2020 application at your request.

Will there be Wi-Fi access? What technology will I need?

The 2021 Institute will be held virtually, using a combination of University-sponsored Blackboard, Zoom, and similar online platforms. You will be assigned a UARK campus username and password that you will be able to use to log on to University platforms from your personal devices. You will need to supply your own computer with access to video and microphone, and internet access to log in to the University platforms. During the Institute, you will also be asked to download software for the digital workshops.

What are the technical competency/skills required for this NEH Institute?

Although much of our coursework will include certain technology-based assignments, you are not required to have specific skills before the Institute. Part of our coursework will focus on instruction in the specific programs we will be utilizing.

What does the daily schedule look like?

We will meet for instruction each day. A typical day will include one 2-hour morning session, and one 2-hour afternoon session, and occasionally an evening event or program. Our Institute leaders are aware of your independent reading and assignments and will plan accordingly. You should expect to spend approximately 6 hours a day during the two weeks working on Institute-related activities in a combination of scheduled programs and outside reading and assignments.

What will we be expected to do for homework?

There will be light reading assignments or videos lectures to watch on some nights. However, the co-directors have put together a schedule that will keep overnight reading assignments at a minimum beyond the required assigned texts.

When can we expect to have the books for the Institute?

Before the Institute begins, you are expected to have read the following texts: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor LaValle’s Destroyer, Lita Judge’s Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein, Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein, and Jennifer Donnelly’s Stepsister. These will arrive by May 15, 2021, which should give you adequate time to complete the reading before the start of the Institute. Other reading selections will be shared on our Institute Blackboard page, which you can access with the username and password you will be provided. We strongly recommend you design a reading schedule that will permit you to comfortably complete the assigned readings before the Institute start date.

Will I receive academic credit or professional development hours for this Institute?

At this time, we will not be awarding academic credit for attending the Institute. However, we will sign district forms attesting to your completion of up to 80 professional development hours.

When will alternates be notified if they are accepted or rejected into the Institute?

Those that are accepted have until April 2, 2021, to accept or reject their acceptance. Should any of them decline, we will offer places to alternates as they become available. We will not know until April 3 how many, if any, have declined their invitation.