SUBJECT:

Freshman Seminar Program and Senior Seminar Program – Call for Proposals, 2017-18 Academic Year

I am pleased to announce the continuation of the Freshman Seminar and Senior Seminar Programs for the 2017-18 academic year. These outstanding undergraduate seminar programs contribute to UC San Diego’s undergraduate mission by expanding undergraduate education offerings.

Our students highly value the undergraduate seminar programs because they deliver on the educational promise of a great university. Students get to interact in a small group with a leading scholar. The Freshman Seminar Program creates a unique classroom environment by providing opportunities for incoming students to engage in intellectual discussions with faculty and peers in a small, supportive class setting. The small, informal class setting of the Senior Seminars promotes exploration of advanced topics and fosters an ideal learning environment for polishing critical thinking and analytical skills.

Eligible faculty will receive a $1,000 research payment (not as salary, but as funding available to support various academic expenses including research, travel, and supplies) for teaching either a one-unit Freshman Seminar or a one-unit Senior Seminar. (Note that a department may only offer Senior Seminars if it also offers at least two Freshman Seminars.)

Incoming students are particularly interested in taking undergraduate seminars during the fall. I especially encourage you to consider offering a seminar during this time when demand is the highest. The due date for submission of proposals for Fall Quarter 2017 Freshman and Senior Seminars is Friday, March 10, 2017.

Thank you for giving this program your serious consideration. You can visit the program website, https://a cademicaffairs.ucsd.edu/ug-ed/ugsem/index.htm for detailed nformation. Please contact Barbara Sawrey, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Dean of Undergraduate Education (x24358), or April Burcham (x25855) with questions or comments.

Peter F. Cowhey Interim Executive Vice Chancellor