2010 GE Curriculum Development Grants Request for Proposals

for the support of Faculty Learning Communitiesto revise and develop new GE curriculum and Pathways

 

Instruction Sheet

The General Education Implementation Team, in collaboration with the General Education Advisory Committee (GEAC), will offer awards to support faculty learning communities (FLCs) that will meet, share ideas, and develop proposals for the new General Education curriculum, including innovative approaches to teaching Foundation or American Institutions courses and the formation of Pathways. 

Who may apply?

Faculty, both lecturers and tenure-track, may apply. Students and staff may form part of the FLC.  

How does one apply?

We have developed a policy of rolling deadlines for GE Curriculum Development proposals.  Proposals are welcome any time prior to May 1, 2010, until the funds available for this project are exhausted.  Depending on availability of funds, another request for proposals may be issued in early Fall 2010. Send proposals to the GE Implementation Team (geimplementationteam@csuchico.edu).

The application form consists of a cover-page (below), submission of either the Phase 1, Initial Pathway Concept Proposal, Foundation or American Institutions Curricular Redesign templates (depending on the nature of the project), available on the GE Implementation website http://www.csuchico.edu/vpaa/ge/ImplementationTeam/GEIT.shtml plus a simple budget page (see below).  Applicants are welcome to provide letters of support from Deans or Department Chairs, but these are not required for these initial proposals.  The proposal needs to include the following in this order: 1.    Cover page application-please include principal requestor and title on this page.

2.    Phase 1: Initial Pathway Concept Proposal,  or Foundation or American Institutions Curricular Redesign templates. (Attached and at the GE Implementation Team website.) 

3.    Provide a brief budget with cost breakdown. Note: It is anticipated that most funds will be used for faculty stipends, but other expenses are allowable (materials, etc).  Hospitality expenses such as food or drink are not allowable expenses. 

4.    Letters of Endorsement (optional)

What types of proposals are encouraged?

Learning Communities are focused, limited-duration groups usually concerned with developing a particular pedagogical or curricular innovation. In the present case we seek to support pedagogical and curricular innovation for the new General Education program. Funds may be expended for items that promote the activities of the learning community, such as resource materials, but it is expected that most of the funds will be used for faculty stipends.  Approximately 12 grants of up to $1,500 will be made available in Spring 2010.

What is the required timeline for the proposed learning community?

Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) should begin meeting in Spring 2010 and submit planned innovations for Foundation courses and Pathway proposals to the GE Implementation Team by September 30, 2010.  (Earlier submissions are encouraged to permit wider discussion of and participation in curricular and Pathway development.)  These proposals respond to the initial phases of the curriculum development process described in EM 10-01:

Foundation and American Institutions: Foundation and American Institutions courses revised in line with GE Program Mission and Values by Fall 2011. This allows faculty teaching these courses to work on incorporating GE Student Learning Outcomes in Spring 2010-Fall 2010 with an eye toward inclusion in the catalogue for Fall 2011.

Pathways. Pathways and their courses are developed, formed, and reviewed over a more extended period of time.  Faculty begin the process of Pathway development in Spring 2010. The Implementation Team will widely advertise the start and completion dates of the following stages.

1.    Pathway development (at least 3 months): An individual faculty member or group of faculty members can propose possible pathway themes with one to two courses for each discipline (e.g. Lifelong Learning) in order to show the pathway’s possible viability. The courses listed for each discipline are for illustration purposes only -- they need not be existing courses, or have received approval as new courses, or be proposed by potential instructors in the discipline.  The Implementation Team and GEAC will help faculty through this process. Pathway proposals submitted to the Implementation Team will be listed on the General Education Implementation Google docs site http://url.csuchico.edu/geiteam so that all faculty are aware of pathway proposals and to facilitate collaboration across campus.

 

What kinds of outcomes are required?

FLCs must commit to regular periodic meetings of faculty focused on GE pedagogical or curriculum development in Foundation/AI courses and/or the definition and initial proposal of Pathways with the goal of producing revised curriculum and/or a formal Pathway proposal.  The FLC will submit the products of its curricular work (new or revised Foundation/AI course or Pathway) to the GE Implementation Team no later than September 30, 2010.  FLC should post information on their progress on the GE Implementation Team Google docs site (http://url.csuchico.edu/geiteam) to facilitate collaboration on and dissemination of curricular ideas among faculty, staff and students. 

 

  Who evaluates the proposals, and what criteria are used?

A subcommittee of the GE Implementation Team and GEAC members will screen proposals for required content based upon the criteria outlined above and the attached rubric.

 

When are announcements made? Review of proposals will be ongoing and awards announced as quickly as possible to facilitate faculty work.

 

What type of reporting is required? A final written report is due September 30, 2010. Outcomes of the project, budget allocations, a formal curricular proposal and assessment of the achievements and obstacles faced by the FLC should be included.

 

How will I know the GE Implementation Team has received my proposal? If you do not receive a letter of receipt from the GE Implementation Team (by email) within 10 working days after submission, please contact GEImplementationTeam@csuchico.edu.

California State University, Chico Application form

2010 GE Curriculum Development Grants for the support of Faculty Learning Communities

to develop new GE curriculum and Pathways  

I.              Principal requestor, contact information, and project title

Name _______________________________________________    Date ___________________

 

Title:   __ Professor      __ Associate Professor      __ Assistant Professor        __ Lecturer             

 

Department __________________________________________   Zip _____________________

 

Phone (Office) ___________________________ (Home or cell) _________________________

 

Signature of Applicant ___________________________________________________________

Names of co-requestors __________________________________________________________

(Provide above information for co-requestor(s) on a separate page.)

Project Title__________________________________________________________________________

(Provide brief title to indicate the nature of the project.)

 

II.  Attach appropriate template: Phase 1: Initial Pathway Concept Proposal, Foundation or American Institutions Curricular Redesign

III. Budget

Total estimated cost of project: $________________

Total amount of funding requested from GE Implementation Team ($1,500 max): 

$________________

  Check below what the funds will be used for:

 

o                     Stipends ($500 max/person) $ ______________

o                     Other   $________________________________

o                   Specify:

 

IV.              Endorsements (Letters of endorsement from Chairs or Deans are welcome, but not required.) Indicate here if letters of endorsement are attached:  ___ Yes              ___ No

Phase 1: Initial Pathway Concept Proposal

1. Faculty Proposing Pathway: Name(s), Department(s):

Name Department Email address1234

Additional names below if necessary

2. Name of Proposed Pathway:

3. Abstract (briefly describe the intellectual focus of proposed Pathway, < 200 words)

4. List existing and/or proposed courses that would fit in proposed Pathway (add additional courses as necessary):

Course Number

Course Name Disciplinary Area

Existing (Y/N)

Confirmed (Y/N)

(1) Disciplinary Area = Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Life-long Learning, Nat’l Sciences. (2) Existing = Course already exists (Y/N)(3) Confirmed = Instructor has confirmed interest in including course in Pathway.(Y/N)

5. Pathways must meet several criteria including: intellectual cohesion, multi-disciplinary, appropriate for a minor, appeal to students and coverage of GE SLOs. Briefly address how the proposed Pathway fulfills each of these criteria. Please be specific, but brief.

A. Intellectual Cohesion (How will intellectual theme of Pathway be sustained by proposed courses?):

B. Multi-disciplinary (How do courses involved elucidate the Pathway’s topic?):

C. Appropriate for Minor (How does Pathway contribute to a liberal arts-based minor? Is there duplication with existing minors?):

D. Appeal to Students (What indications are there of student interest in this Pathway?):

E. GE SLOs (How are GE SLOs covered by Pathway?):

6. Describe planned or actual campus outreach efforts to inform/include faculty from across disciplines/colleges. If applying for an FLC grant, indicate planned frequency of meetings here.

7. Describe planned or actual student outreach efforts to gauge student interest in proposed Pathway.

8. Additional information on Pathway.

Foundation Concept Proposal Template

1. Name(s) of faculty member(s) proposing GE Foundation course: Name Department Email address1234Additional names below if necessary

2. Name of proposed Foundation course:

3. Disciplinary Area (check one): Oral Communication Written Communication Critical Thinking Mathematics Physical Sciences Life Sciences

4. Abstract (briefly describe the course, including content/SLOs that fit the GE Mission Statement and Values, 200 word maximum)

5. List any connections to other potential GE courses, such as connections to Pathway themes that are currently being explored, and/or CourseLinks with other Foundation or American Institutions courses:

Pathway(s):

CourseLINK(s):Course Name Disciplinary Existing Confirmed*

Area (Y/N) (Y/N)

*Faculty members in the disciplinary area have been consulted and are planning to propose their course as a CourseLink with this course.

6. Foundation courses must meet several criteria, including: evidence of coherence with the GE program overall, through attention to its Mission Statement, delivery of at least one practical skills SLO (where applicable); delivery of at least one GE Values SLO;. Below, briefly discuss how the proposed Foundation course meets each of these criteria:

A. Connection to GE Mission Statement:

B. Practical Skills SLO(s) (only courses applying in the disciplinary area of oral communication, written communication, critical thinking, or mathematics are required to address this item):

C. Values SLO(s):

7. If the proposed course is in physical or life sciences, briefly describe the lab component.

8. Describe planned or actual conversations with faculty members who may teach the proposed Foundation course. Describe planned or actual conversations with faculty members who may teach in a Pathway or CourseLinked Foundation course that connects to the proposed Foundation course. If applying for an FLC grant, indicate planned frequency of meetings here.

9. Provide any additional information on this Foundation course (optional).

American Institutions Concept Proposal Template  

1.            Name(s) of faculty member(s) proposing GE American Institutions course:  Name Department Email address1234Additional names below if necessary 2.            Name of proposed American Institutions course:  

3.            Disciplinary Area (check one):

___     US History ___ US Constitution, California State and Local Government

    4.         Abstract (briefly describe the course, including content/SLOs that fit the GE  Mission Statement and

Values, 200 word maximum)                            

5.            List any connections to other potential GE courses, such as connections to Pathway themes that are currently being explored, and/or CourseLinks with other American Institutions or Foundation courses:   Pathway(s):     CourseLINK(s): Course Name                                          Disciplinary                 Existing           Confirmed*                                                        Area                              (Y/N)              (Y/N)  

*Faculty members in the disciplinary area have been consulted and are planning to propose their course as a CourseLink with this course.

  6.  American Institutions courses must meet several criteria, including: evidence of coherence with the GE program overall, through attention to its Mission Statement, and delivery of at least one GE Values SLO.  Below, briefly discuss how the proposed American Institutions course meets each of these criteria:

  A.    Connection to GE Mission Statement:  

               

            B.    Values SLO(s):

           

 7.               If the proposed course has not already been approved as a course meeting the graduation requirements in United States History, Constitution and American Ideals outlined in EO 405, please describe how the course fulfills these criteria.

             

8.               Describe planned or actual conversations with faculty members who may teach the proposed American Institutions course.  Describe planned or actual conversations with faculty members who may teach in a Pathway or CourseLinked American Institutions or Foundation course that connects to the proposed American Institutions course. If applying for an FLC grant, indicate planned frequency of meetings here.                                  9.  Provide any additional information on this American Institutions course (optional).

     

RUBRICS (see below.)

FEEDBACK RUBRIC  FOR GE  PATHWAY  PROPOSALS  PATHWAY CRITERIA

FEEDBACKMeets All EM Requirements Meets Most EM

Requirements Some EM Requirements Unmet

Does not Meet EM Requirements

Cohesion Pathway demonstrates a thoughtful articulation of unifying intellectual principles with clear links to proposed courses

Pathway articulates unifying intellectual principles reflected in courses

Pathway attempts to articulate principles, but these are unclear or not demonstrably linked to courses

Little articulation of intellectual principles, or these seem only marginally related to courses

Multi-disciplinary

Pathway draws on a breadth of diverse disciplinary perspectives from across departments and colleges in logical and creative manner

Pathway draws on multiple disciplines in a thoughtful manner

Pathway draws on a few disciplines but does not expose students systematically to a variety of perspectives

Little attention to disciplinary breadth or thoughtful exploration of diverse perspectives

Appropriate for GE Minor

Pathway shows clear and creative linkages to broad, vibrant fields of established or emerging intellectual traditions.

Pathway linked to viable established or emerging fields of study and/or intellectual traditions.

Linkage of Pathway to fields of study is unclear, or field of study is narrow or obscure.

Little or no clear linkage to established/emerging fields of study and/or intellectual traditions; overly narrow focus. 

Appeal to Students

Pathway exposes students to timely/timeless issues and clearly articulates the appeal of the Pathway to students in many majors

Pathway demonstrates relevance and/or links to viable field of study that will appeal  to students in many majors

Pathway explores few themes of relevance, few links to viable fields of study; appeal to student is unclear/limited to a few majors

Pathway fails to  demonstrate appeal of proposed area of study to students or restricted to a few majors

SLOs Covered Pathway clearly demonstrates how any given sequence of courses reinforces student learning of all GE SLOs

Pathway attempts to cover all GE SLOs but connections not always clear

Pathway covers most GE SLOs but some gaps are evident

Pathway covers some GE SLOs but significant gaps are evident, learning not reinforced across Pathway

Existing Minors?

No overlap with existing Minors.

No overlap with existing Minors.

Possible overlap with existing Minors.

Overlaps with existing Minors.

 

Feedback Rubric for Proposed/Revised GE Foundation CoursesFOUNDATION CRITERIA

                                                                             Feedback Meets EM Requirements Meets most EM

Requirements Some EM Requirements Unmet

Does not meet EM requirements

Consistent  with Mission of GE Program

The course includes an articulated awareness and inclusion of Mission and multiple GE values, helping students to understand how the Foundation course connects to and prepares students for the rest of GE.

The course references the GE Mission or multiple GE values, with some more articulated than others; the course connects to and prepares students for the rest of GE, but may not emphasize this connection.

The course includes a single, well-articulated GE Value and prepares students for the rest of GE; it may not articulate the relationship between the Foundation and GE Mission or Values or does so in a cursory manner.

The course provides “practical skills” but has not been revised or developed to reflect GE Mission and/or Values.

Includes at least 1 SLO in “practical skills”

The course articulates a “practical skills” SLO and provides students with practice through a sequence of well-designed activities and assignments providing scaffolding as students move toward increasingly difficult practices.

The course articulates a “practical skills” SLO and includes engaging activities and assignments that may not be fully sequenced or give full evidence of scaffolding.

The course articulates a “practical skills” SLO and includes some activities and assignments to give students practice.

The course does not articulate a “practical skills” SLO and/or does not show evidence of opportunities for student practice.

Includes at least 1 SLO from GE Values

The course clearly articulates at least one of the GE values SLOs and fully incorporates coursework focused on it in multiple ways, or the course articulates multiple values SLOs and provides sound ways for students to accomplish each.

The course articulates at least one of the GE values SLOs and provides coursework focused on it for part of the course, or the course incorporates multiple values SLOs, in a limited way.

The course articulates at least one of the GE values SLOs, providing some focus on coursework supporting it but missing some opportunities for incorporating it or dropping it altogether for a significant portion of the course.

The course does not articulate a GE values SLO or articulates it in a way that seems cursory and undeveloped.

Feedback Rubric for Proposed/Revised American Institutions CoursesAMERICAN INSTITUTIONS (AI) CRITERIA

                                                                             Feedback Meets EM/EO Requirements Meets most EM/EO

Requirements Some EM/EO Requirements Unmet

Does not meet EM/EO requirements

Consistent  with Mission of GE Program

The course includes an articulated awareness and inclusion of Mission and multiple GE values, helping students to understand how the AI course connects to and prepares students for the rest of GE.

The course references the GE Mission or multiple GE values, with some more articulated than others; the course connects to and prepares students for the rest of GE, but may not emphasize this connection.

The course includes a single, well-articulated GE Value and prepares students for the rest of GE; it may not articulate the relationship between the AI course and GE Mission or Values or does so in a cursory manner.

The course covers AI requirements but has not been revised or developed to reflect GE Mission and/or Values.

Includes at least 1 SLO from GE Values

The course clearly articulates at least one of the GE values SLOs and fully incorporates coursework focused on it in multiple ways, or the course articulates multiple values SLOs and provides sound ways for students to accomplish each.

The course articulates at least one of the GE values SLOs and provides coursework focused on it for part of the course, or the course incorporates multiple values SLOs, in a limited way.

The course articulates at least one of the GE values SLOs, providing some focus on coursework supporting it but missing some opportunities for incorporating it or dropping it altogether for a significant portion of the course.

The course does not articulate a GE values SLO or articulates it in a way that seems cursory and undeveloped.

Consistent with EO 405 (For new courses only)

The course covers all of the appropriate Learning Outcomes articulated in EO 405.

    The course fails to cover all of the appropriate Learning Outcomes articulated in EO 405.