Description

Internationalization, diversity, equity, and inclusion are strategic priorities for Emerson. Emerson’s Strategic Plan defines Internationalization as the commitment to “mutually beneficial engagement with the global society in which we participate, and to ensuring that all members of our community are prepared to thrive in that society.” Similarly, Emerson’s dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is rooted in the belief that “institutional and academic excellence are not possible without full engagement with diversity across all areas of the College.” Academic Affairs, with the support of the Academic Cabinet and faculty leadership, have identified academic and inclusive excellence as priorities for the College.

Inclusive approaches to curriculum development and equitable pedagogical practices help ensure that learning experiences at Emerson are intentionally designed and facilitated to meet the needs, interests, and goals that foster student success in a culturally diverse and global society. The President’s Fund for Curricular Innovation will support faculty participation in a Curriculum Internationalization and Inclusion Studio for 2022. The goals of the Studio are to:

• Build our collective capacity to internationalize and diversify the curriculum and to promote more expansive and equitable approaches to teaching/learning;
• Develop and refine specific courses, with corresponding pedagogical methods that contribute to these aims;
• “… encourage[s] new ways of thinking, [and] incorporate[s] new methodologies, so that different epistemological questions are raised, old assumptions are questioned, subjective data sources are considered, and prior theories either revised or invalidated” (Marchesani & Adams, 1992).

Ultimately, the aim is to offer curricula that assists students with developing the required critical consciousness, values, awareness, skills and knowledge of differences to thrive as culturally competent, global citizens.

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Stipends and Other Resources

Each faculty member will receive a stipend of $1,200 for creating new curriculum. Faculty members selected for the Studio will have the opportunity to apply for further funding for project-related expenses (travel, funds to hire student assistants, materials, etc.).

Note: Stipends are paid as additional compensation and are subject to applicable state and federal payroll taxes. Stipends will be paid in two installments at the end of the summer.

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Studio Format and Schedule

Between April and May of 2022, accepted faculty members will participate in a series of individual and/or small group meetings, during which they will develop their projects, be in dialogue with each other and enhance their capacity to serve as a resource for colleagues interested in internationalizing and/or diversifying the curriculum.

Faculty members are expected to work on their projects throughout the summer of 2022. Each team member will receive a $1,200 stipend, paid in two installments, beginning in August.

In the Fall of 2022, faculty members will provide an update on the status of their project development or implementation.

The intention of this program is to support work that will become a vibrant and enduring part of the Emerson curricula. Admission to the Studio is an important step toward that end. All new curriculum will also need to be approved through regular college/departmental processes.

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Eligibility

All full-time Emerson College faculty members are eligible to apply. Individual full-time faculty may apply to create new courses or to revise existing courses, or they may create a team proposal that affects curricula in several courses. Teams must be led by a full-time faculty member and may include one affiliated faculty member as a team member.

NOTE: Faculty members may apply to the PFCI and the Diversity Fellows Program in the same cycle, so long as the applications are for separate and distinct projects.

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Evaluation Criteria

Project proposals must:

1. Contribute demonstrably to the internationalization and/or diversification of the curriculum and teaching and learning at Emerson College. 
2. Be submitted by Emerson College faculty members.
3. Articulate a clear project, including:
4. A rationale for its development;
5. The strategy for internationalizing/diversifying the curricula. How will you introduce new materials, pedagogical methods, and new learning goals?
6. The work plan and timeline for its development and implementation (i.e. if you are developing or revising a course or course module, specify when you propose to teach it);
7. An assessment plan; markers of success over time; and
8. The steps and timeline of necessary curricular approvals and any cross-registration(s);
9. A plan for sustained engagement of the goals or project within the course, department or school.

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Selection Process

Proposals will be reviewed by the Selection Committee, which is co-chaired by the Vice Provost for Internationalization and Equity and the Director for Faculty Development and Diversity. The Selection Committee (including academic deans) will share their decisions with the Provost for review.

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Application Timetable

• January 28, 2022 — Application period opens
• March 14, 2022 — Application period ends
• April 29 – May 3, 2022 — Applicants notified of results

Application Form

1. Eligible faculty members can access the application form here via Google Forms.
2. One application form per team should be completed and submitted.
3. After you submit your proposal, you will receive a copy of your responses via email, and will have until March 14, 2022, to make any changes.
4. During the 2022 proposal cycle, the PFCI Selection Committee will prioritize proposals that center pedagogical practices and curricula emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental elements of learning experiences.

Application Questions

Applicants should be ready to answer the following questions on their applications:

1. Please list the name, rank, and department for each faculty member associated with the proposed course or project.
2. Please provide brief curriculum vitae—no more than 2 pages each–for each applicant or team member. These must be combined and submitted as one document.
3. Indicate which strategic priority your proposal will address (internationalization or inclusive excellence).
4. Course/Project Title
5. Course/Project Summary (1500-character limit)
6. Project Description – Please be as specific as possible:
   1. The rationale for your project, a statement of how your project will contribute to internationalizing/diversifying the College curriculum.
   1. The pedagogical approaches to be employed (i.e. methods, strategies, new learning goals, etc.) 
   1. If the proposal is for a team project, detail the role of each person on your team, and the overall contribution that person will make to the project.
   1. Provide a work plan and timeline for the life of this project based either on the work of the single person submitting this proposal, or the work of each named team member.  Please include key benchmarks for each person’s progress.
   1. A clear statement on when the course/project will be implemented. If you are developing or revising a course, specify when you plan to teach it.
   1. Markers of success over time. How will you know that your project has had an impact on the curriculum?  On student learning?
   1. For any project proposing the creation of a new course, share your department’s curricular review and approval process.
7. Map any curricular review and approval process needed to implement the innovation and include a timeline.

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Contact Information

Questions can be directed to Dr. Anthony Pinder, Vice Provost for Internationalization & Equity, and Dr. Tuesda Roberts, Director for Faculty Development and Diversity.