Faculty Overseas Collaborating on Undergraduate Seminars
(FOCUS) Program
The goals of this program are to:
- To foster intellectual engagement of faculty from across disciplines in the College
- To expand global mindsets and experiences
- To provide support for writing across the curriculum
- To generate new and creative First Year Seminars
- To support interfaculty relationships and collegiality
- To provide an opportunity for faculty to convene and collaborate in an international setting
Biannually we bring together a cohort of eight faculty members (including a lead faculty member and a writing program faculty member) who then form two teams of four to collaboratively develop two interdisciplinary FYSs over the course of one-week while living at the Worrell House in London. Although these FYSs are expected to have a global focus, the cohort will have full discretion in choosing an overall theme, with the two teams then each choosing a seminar topic aligned with that theme (but distinct from the other team’s topic). The lead faculty member will handle budgeting and logistics for the entire group of eight, while the writing faculty member will serve as a consultant to both teams. Each team will individually submit their respective proposal to the FYS committee upon return to campus.
While abroad, each cohort will develop the curriculum for its FYS. Upon return to campus, they will collaboratively teach the seminar twice over the next two years during either fall or spring semester as agreed upon by the two teams. Each faculty member will agree to teach for at least three weeks during each of these two semesters. The three-week teaching assignments will not be part of the faculty member’s course load. Instead, compensation will be in the form of paid travel to and living expenses within London, as well as a modest stipend ($1500/semester) for the three-week teaching assignment during each of the two semesters. Also, the lead faculty member and writing faculty members will receive additional supplements for their administrative and consulting work, respectively.
(Please note: Previous faculty who participated in the FOCUS program will be available to meet with newly selected participants to answer questions and provide guidance.)
This opportunity is open to all permanent full-time faculty in the College. To apply, please prepare a one-page document addressing the following question: Considering the goals of this unique program, what prompted you to apply and how will you contribute? Also, please have your department chair send an email endorsing your participation in the program. Both your application and the chair’s email may be sent to:
Kline Harrison, Associate Provost for Global Affairs, at harrisjk@wfu.edu.
Some of the factors that will be taken into consideration in the selection process include: Diversity in rank, diversity in discipline, and former student evaluations.