Please consider proposing a First-Year Seminar (FYS) for Fall 2024; proposals from CLAS are always encouraged, particularly in the natural, mathematical, and social science areas.

Below please see more information from Associate Dean Andrew Beckett:

We are now accepting First-Year Seminar proposals for fall 2024. 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 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://fys.uiowa.edu/instructional-pillars.

Even if you have taught a First-Year Seminar in the past, you must submit a proposal in order to be considered for the fall 2024 semester.  The number of First-Year Seminar proposals that will be accepted is dependent on funding and incoming class size. Before submitting a proposal, instructors should review the FYS compensation policies webpage as there are variations in compensation policies.  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. Additional information can be found on the First-Year Seminar website.

To submit a proposal, please go to https://fys.uiowa.edu/proposals.

Proposals must be submitted and through workflow (all required signatures complete) by 11:59pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Thank you in advance for your interest in teaching a First-Year Seminar. Please contact Andrew Beckett (andrew-beckett@uiowa.edu) or Angie Lamb (angela-lamb@uiowa.edu) if you have any questions.

I know our students will appreciate this opportunity to make friends in an academic setting and to learn more about UI and CLAS while exploring a unique and interesting topic. Many thanks to all of you able to participate.