August 1, 2016
K-State First invites learning community and first-year seminar proposals
The university's first-year experience program, K-State First, is looking for faculty and departments who would like to offer learning communities or first-year seminars for the 2017-2018 school year.
The Connecting Across Topics, or CAT, Communities pair two regular, lower-level courses. A cohort of 22 students enrolls in both classes, but the students also meet once a week in a one-hour connections course taught by an instructor from one of the two larger courses. The smaller, one-hour class is a place for the students to dive into some active learning and to explore the connections between the two regular classes. Faculty members who teach the one-hour connections class receive a $1,500-$1,700 stipend and the support of an undergraduate learning assistant for the semester. More information about the program, examples of current CAT communities, and a simple proposal form are available online.
K-State First is also looking for first-year seminars classes, smaller versions of regular, lower-level classes that enroll first-year students only. Departments offering first-year seminar classes receive compensation to help cover the costs associated with offering small classes taught by exceptional faculty.
Potential proposers are encouraged to contact Gregory Eiselein at eiselei@k-state.edu with expressions of interest or with questions. The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24.