To: Deans, Directors, and Departmental Executive Officers

From: Dr. Andrew Beckett, Associate Dean, University College

Date: January 7, 2020

Subject: Now Accepting First-Year Seminar Proposals for Fall 2020

We are now accepting First-Year Seminar proposals for fall 2020. First-Year Seminar instructors are highly engaged in student development and have an active, important role in their students' transition to college. As a result, First-Year Seminars introduce new, first year students to important principles and academic expectations that will help them be successful at the University of Iowa. In addition, First-Year Seminars provide students with an opportunity to work closely with UI faculty, instructional staff, or a senior-level administrator.  

First-Year Seminars should be designed around the recently developed four pillars of a First-Year Seminar: 1) Academic Inquiry, 2) Active Learning, 3) Community and Connectedness, and 4) Exploration of Identity. Additional explanations for these pillars, which offer structure and guidance for course design, can be found at https://uc.uiowa.edu/academics/first-year-seminars.  

Effective for fall 2020, all First-Year Seminar instructors will be expected to attend an informational session during the spring 2020 semester, as well as an enrichment session at the start of the fall 2020 semester. Instructors will be asked to select a spring session as part of the proposal submission process. These sessions create new opportunities to share relevant information with and among all instructors and contribute to a more meaningful First-Year Seminar experience. 

Even if you are currently teaching or have taught a First-Year Seminar in the past, you must submit a proposal in order to be considered for the fall 2020 semester. Instructors should obtain approval from their DEO or direct supervisor prior to submitting a proposal. In addition to faculty, executive and instructional staff may submit a proposal for review. Merit staff and graduate/teaching assistants are not eligible to teach a First-Year Seminar. 

To submit a proposal, please go to https://uc.uiowa.edu/academics/first-year-seminars/submitting-proposal.

Proposals must be submitted by Monday, February 3. 

Thank you in advance for your interest in teaching a First-Year Seminar. 

Dr. Andrew Beckett
Associate Dean, University College