Information for Faculty

Will you be teaching a large-enrollment course during the 2008-09 academic year?

Would you like to explore the subject matter in more depth with a small group of the most interested students in the class?

Try a Faculty Perspective Seminar! 

• Rationale for Faculty Perspective Seminars
• How a Faculty Perspective Seminar works
• Who is eligible to enroll in a Faculty Perspective Seminar?
• Who is eligible to propose a Faculty Perspective Seminar?
• What should I know about compensation?
• What is included in a proposal?
• Specific elements of a proposal
• Seminar proposal cover sheet (pdf)
• Seminar evaluation form (pdf)

Important Dates!

Call for Proposal Schedule

Rationale for the Faculty Perspective Seminar program

This program offers a small class experience to students in large-enrollment courses, and allows faculty to work closely with students who are motivated and truly curious about the subjects of those courses. Faculty in a variety of disciplines, from Physics to History to Architecture have enjoyed these special teaching opportunities, and students are universally enthusiastic about the experience. "The 'small class' experience exceeded my most optimistic expectations in terms of the quality and depth of learning that took place." "I hadn't realized how much I would get out of the experience." The program was initiated with a grant to geologist, Marli Miller from the Williams Fund, and has now become a regular feature of the UO curriculum.

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How a Faculty Perspective Seminar Works

Your seminar will be offered for 1 credit (Pass/No Pass), and will be optional for students enrolled in your large (>50 students) class. The seminar should be limited to 10-20 students and should emphasize classroom discussion, as well as writing with feed-back, during weekly 50-minute meetings.

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Who is eligible to enroll in a Faculty Perspective Seminar?

The seminar should be available to all students, regardless of level, in the large course. Initial enrollment is during the standard registration period that precedes each term. If spaces remain, you may want to suggest the seminar to students at the first meeting of the large course.

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Who is eligible to propose a Faculty Perspective Seminar?

Faculty members from every discipline and department are encouraged to propose seminars. Instructors, as well as professors at all ranks, are welcome.

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What should I know about compensation?

A  total of 15 Faculty Perspective Seminars can be funded for 2008-2009. Compensation for the 1-credit (P/NP) seminar course is $2,000.00, payable to professional development accounts only.

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What is included in a proposal?

Seminar selection is competitive. Successful Faculty Perspective Seminars proposals include:

1. Evidence that the seminar complements the material from the main course and enriches it or connects it to other subjects;
2. Evidence that the seminar will differ from the more standard “discussion sections” that may also be part of your course;
3. Evidence of high-quality instruction and interaction between faculty and students, such as
1. Clear academic substance
2. Appropriateness for college/university students
3. Content that sharpens the written, spoken, and critical reasoning skills of students and includes a variety of academic readings

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Specific Elements of a Proposal

Proposals must include a cover sheet (see page 3) and a draft syllabus with all of the following components:

• Seminar description. Describe the seminar's purpose and its relationship to the content of the large course it supplements. Also note the predicted size of the main course and the number of students you foresee taking the seminar.
• Seminar structure. List main seminar activities with a one-to-three sentence description of each.
• Tentative course outline by week.
• Seminar requirements. List criteria and expectations for readings and projects.
• Grading structure. Although the seminar is graded P/NP, describe how the grade is to be based on class discussion and special projects or activities.

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Faculty Perspective Seminar proposals are to be submitted to:

The Faculty Perspective Seminar Advisory Board, c/o Cathy Kraus, OH 372.
For further information, call 6-1221 or write ckraus@uoregon.edu.