Faculty Application Process

The Office of the Provost, in conjunction with the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) and the University-wide Committee on Teaching and Faculty Development, announces three new University Seminar courses, offered in Academic Year 2010-2011. If you have questions or ideas about a future University Seminar course, please contact Caroline Campbell, Program Development Director and University Seminar coordinator in the Office of the Provost.

The University Seminar program catalyzes future scholarship, innovative educational programs, and an increased community of collaboration for research and teaching throughout the University. One of the goals of the program is to enhance research and teaching, and to develop new research questions through the integration of different disciplinary approaches to a complex issue of global concern. Through their development and implementation of a University Seminar course, several faculty have been able to significantly augment research and teaching initiatives and funding proposals. The core teaching teams for University Seminar courses receive a great deal of instruction and guidance on teaching, interdisciplinary pedagogy, and faculty development that advances capacity in their research and education domains. Additionally, through the University Seminar program, many faculty have forged new relationships among colleagues across the University with whom they would not otherwise have had contact. Working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of colleagues to develop and implement a University Seminar course requires a significant commitment of time and effort, with rich rewards for faculty development.

Structure of the University Seminar

The University Seminar brings together faculty and students from different schools and campuses. To build on the strengths of such an interdisciplinary approach while minimizing logistical challenges, the University Seminar has a unique structure, blending large and small group work. The core faculty will meet with all the students (graduate and undergraduate) enrolled in the course to explore the seminar topic from an interdisciplinary perspective. Course size and logistics are flexible and ultimately depend upon the faculty, topic, and final format of the seminar. For some sessions, core faculty will meet with students in their own school to allow students to work with peers at the appropriate depth. Since it is likely that groups will meet concurrently on any of the three campuses, technological solutions such as teleconferencing will also be explored.

Possible themes for the University Seminar

Faculty could propose to design a University Seminar around the theme of AIDS, for example, with sessions covering some of the following topics: exploration of the effects of HIV/AIDS on culture through literature, drama and art, the HIV virus, epidemiology, physician - patient interaction and adherence to treatment, community health prevention, understanding the cognitive mechanisms of risk-taking, cultural differences in the acceptance of persons infected with HIV, cost of drug treatments, international negotiations on generic drugs, etc. Other possible themes include Water, Climate Change, and Microfinance. This list is in no way exclusive, and applications will be evaluated for community, national, or global relevance and how the seminar builds on strengths and values of the university. Proposals including collaborations with one of Tufts' global partner institutions are encouraged.