University College will soon be accepting First-Year Seminar proposals for fall 2025 (application available December 10, 2024). CLAS encourages faculty to consider proposing for a first year seminar. CLAS especially encourages faculty in the natural and mathematical sciences to propose for a first year seminar, but welcomes submissions by faculty from across the college. There is flexibility in the scheduling of first year seminars and these seminars can be a great way to get to know first year students as well as introduce them to your major!
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 on the 4 Pillars of a First-Year Seminar webpage. Additional course design and instructional resources are available on the information for instructors webpage.
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 2025 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.
Proposals must be submitted and through workflow (all required signatures complete) by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 31.
Thank you in advance for considering teaching a First-Year Seminar. Please contact Angela Lamb (angela-lamb@uiowa.edu) or Andrew Beckett (andrew-beckett@uiowa.edu) if you have any questions.
Note: This memo was also published on December 4, December 11, 2024, January 8, and January 15, 2025.