Proposals for global courses now open

Jane Meza, Ph.D., interim associate vice chancellor for global and student support

Funds to develop a new course or revise an existing one with global themes will be available to 13 University of Nebraska faculty members for the spring 2018 semester.

A request for proposals for “Global Perspectives in the Curriculum” funds has been issued throughout the university system. The deadline is Nov. 8.

In June 2016, the president and chancellors of the University of Nebraska formally adopted a revised Strategy for Global Engagement at the university. That document emphasized that “strengthening global engagement and building on a tradition of success with international activities will improve the educational outcomes the university seeks.”

One of the six goals is to encourage faculty to increase global perspectives in their on-campus courses and programs, said Jane Meza, Ph.D., interim associate vice chancellor for global and student support.

“More than 70 percent of our students do not participate in a formal education abroad program, and it is important that these students be exposed to global themes, regional histories and perspectives, foreign languages and literatures, and disciplinary insights from different regions of the world,” she said.

“Such experiences are essential in order for students to develop a global mindset and the skills they need in order to contribute meaningfully in our rapidly changing and globalizing world.”

Applications will be reviewed through a competitive process and must include formal evaluation of the course, in addition to regular course assignments and a final grade. The maximum budget for one course is $5,000. All new courses will be fully approved no later than December 2018.

Proposals are to be submitted to Dr. Meza.