Proposing an ASEM Course

Faculty

Directions from The Proposal Form

The ASEM Course Proposal Form will ask you to provide the following information.

1. Please describe your course -- Your narrative should provide ASEM Committee members who are not familiar with your topic a clear understanding of the content, objectives, and approaches of the course. (150-300 words.)

2. Please explain how the course will include multiple perspectives -- There is no definitive rule as to what constitutes “multiple perspectives.” You might, for example, include different viewpoints or bodies of knowledge, different theoretical lenses, different methodological approaches, different disciplinary orientations, or so on. Please highlight how students will understand that this course includes multiple perspectives. (50-200 words.)

3. Please explain how the course will be attractive and appropriate for students coming from an array of disciplines and interests, presuming no detailed prior knowledge or disciplinary orientation. (50-200 words.)

4. Please list your course Student Learning Outcomes and how you will assess them -- Students in ASEM courses must “demonstrate the ability integrate and apply knowledge and skills gained from multiple perspectives to an appropriate intellectual topic or issue.” This requirement should be manifest in course learning outcomes. Please list your course learning outcomes and describe how you will assess each. (For an explanation of learning outcomes, the options available for assessment, and some examples, please see “Learning Outcomes for ASEM.”) Note: Learning outcomes should be stated NOT in terms of “what students will be exposed to” or “what the course will do,” BUT in terms of “what knowledges, skills, and practices” students will demonstrate as a result of the class.

5. Please explain how the Course will help students write effectively -- A second outcome of ASEM courses is that students will “write effectively, providing appropriate evidence and reasoning for assertions.” To those ends, ASEM courses must include four writing elements:

  • Students will write a minimum of 20 pages (about 6000 words), some of which may be informal, but some of which must be revised, polished, and intended for an educated readership.
  • Students will complete a minimum of three writing projects that are distributed over the quarter; exceptions might include a cumulative project completed in multiple stages.
  • Students will revise some of their work based on feedback from their professor.
  • There will be some instructional time devoted to writing.

Describe how your course will include these elements and help students write effectively. Probably the best way to do this is to describe each assignment, describe how revision will be built into the course, and explain some of the class activities you plan to include. Please provide a brief course description, suitable for the DU Bulletin. Course descriptions should be written in present tense (avoid future tense terms such as "students will") and with the audience to include outside institutions, not just students. Include any prerequisites (unenforced or enforced) in the course description.  

6. Attach your syllabus as a Word Document or a PDF. Your proposal will not be considered without a fully developed syllabus.

Faculty with questions are welcome to contact the Faculty Director of FSEMs and ASEMs. 

 

Proposal Review

The ASEM committee, with faculty representatives from CAHSS, Daniels, Korbel, and NSM, reviews proposals. About 30% of proposals are approved as submitted. About 60% need minor revision (often just a clarification or a addressing a minor omission). About 10% need a significant revision, usually due to a substantial missing element, lack of fully developed syllabus or because they significantly miss the nature of ASEM courses. The committee is happy to work with faculty proposers, and nearly 100% of proposals are ultimately approved. Only when a proposer chooses to withdraw a proposal is it ultimately not approved. The ASEM Committee looks for ways to say yes to your proposal. Taking a little time up front can save you time on backend revisions. 

Faculty with approved proposals will receive $600 after their course is approved and $600 for the first time they complete an ASEM workshop.