Proposing a new Focal Point Seminar
While the Focal Point Seminar is designed to offer faculty from any discipline a great deal of flexibility in choosing and developing a topic, all courses must:
Deadline for Focal Point Seminar: February 1, May 1, or October 1
Process: Faculty interested in submitting proposals for Focal Point Seminars are advised to:
- Briefly review the Focal Point page on this website;
- Read over the Focal Point Handbook;
- Carefully consider the Focal Point Learning Outcomes & Writing Expectations (which are central to the proposal)
- Familiarize themselves with the online proposal form;
- Consult with Doug Long, Director of the First-Year Program, 773-325-4569, prior to preparing the proposal for submission; and then
- Submit a proposal online by February 1, May 1, or October 1
A new course proposal needs to be submitted at least two quarters before the first term an instructor plans to teach it. Thus, if you would like to teach the course in winter quarter, propose it by the prior spring deadline (May 1); if you would like to teach it in spring quarter, propose it by the prior fall deadline (October 1). No Focal Point Seminars are scheduled in autumn quarter.
Proposals are reviewed by the Focal Point Advisory Committee, currently chaired by Dr. Christie Klimas, 773-325-8423. Committee responses are typically emailed by early March.
Each November a Focal Point Best Practices event is held; while faculty scheduled to teach the following winter and spring quarters are expected to attend, faculty considering proposing a course are also welcome.
Qualifications: Faculty teaching Focal Point Seminars are required to have a graduate degree and expected to have at least one year of full-time college teaching experience (or the equivalent in courses taught as instructor of record).
FY@broad: Those proposing Focal Point Seminars that they wish to have considered as potential FY@broad courses are advised to contact Scott Ozaroski, Assoc. Director of Program Management, Study Abroad, 312-362-6347, to learn about the program, the additional proposal process and eligibility to apply for a QIC grant to prepare the travel portion of the class. Faculty who have previously taught a Focal Point Seminar and wish now to offer it as a FY@broad class are also so advised.
Faculty proposing a FY@broad program would ideally have previous experience both teaching in the First-Year Program and leading a study abroad program. However, faculty with experience in one of those areas—either teaching in the First-Year Program or leading a prior study program program—are eligible to apply.
An overview of the FY@broad program, detailed proposal guidelines, and a description of instructor responsibilities are available on the Study Abroad website. Learn more about leading FY@broad First-Year Student Programs.
Please be advised that the number of FY@broad sections offered each winter and spring is small; the decision whether to schedule a Focal Point Seminar as a FY@broad section is made by Study Abroad.