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2018-2019 New Faculty Proposal Information

Teach a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program!

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Faculty & Students

The Center for International Education Services/Study Abroad Office invites proposals from individual, full-time faculty to develop short-term study abroad courses for the 2018-2019 academic year. Short-term programs are typically 1-8 weeks in length and offered during spring break or the summer. There is also an opportunity for a select group of faculty to teach courses for two-week blocks during the Fall and Spring semesters in Italy.

Study abroad programs offer students a unique academic experience that enhances their undergraduate education. Data from the Office of Institutional Research (OIR) reveals higher retention rates for study abroad students compared to their cohorts. In addition, students who study abroad return home with a better understanding of the world around them, and many return more motivated to do well in their UofM courses on campus according to our own Returning Student Survey. Students' levels of maturity, independence, and responsibility also increase as a result of visiting another country. The goal with these proposals is to increase student participation in study abroad by providing opportunities for our students to complete UofM courses taught by UofM faculty abroad.

The two primary objectives of this call for proposals for faculty-led study abroad programs are:

1. Diversify the academic disciplines as well as the specific faculty members who lead short-term faculty-led programs.

2. Increase diversity in student participation in study abroad programs by encouraging participation of first generation college students, Pell grant recipients, and minority students.

Support & Stipend

The Study Abroad Office will fund five new proposals. Proposals should be from faculty who have never led a study abroad program or who have not led a study abroad program in the past five years. (Faculty who are renewing programs should complete the regular renewal online application.) While all complete and submitted proposals will be considered, the Study Abroad Office is under no obligation to support any proposals. Selected faculty leaders will receive a $2,000 stipend on completion of their first successful study abroad program taking place during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Developing a Proposal for a Faculty-Led Program Workshops will be held to help faculty learn how to develop a study abroad program on the following days and locations. The information provided will be the same at each workshop:

  • Monday, April 23 from 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM, University Center 308
  • Friday, May 4 from 1 PM – 2 PM, University Center 363

 

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Application Process: To apply, please send a completed application packet as a PDF via email to tigersabroad@memphis.edu. Please send all items as one scan. The deadline to submit your completed application packet is Friday, July 13, 2018.

Your packet must include:

  • Cover Page (must include both signatures): Faculty Led Proposal Cover Page
  • Written Proposal, which consists of :
    • 2-3 page narrative of the proposed program, addressing the rationale and goals of the program as well as the timeline and proposed outcomes
    • Course syllabus
    • Curriculum Vitae (an abbreviated version -- no more than 3 pages)
    • A plan for program promotion and student recruitment
  • Departmental Commitment Letter - A letter from the department chair and/or college dean to indicate the department's endorsement of, and long-term commitment to the proposed study abroad.

Selection Criteria - Greater priority will be given to short-term study abroad proposals that:

  • Satisfy either general education, major, or minor requirements
  • Will be offered at least three times over a six year period
  • Attract groups of students not currently reflected in existing program offerings, such as proposals from full-time faculty in departments/majors that currently do not sponsor any faculty-led programs
  • Are put forward by full-time faculty who have not previously developed and taught a study-abroad course
  • Feature travel to underrepresented destinations (Travel to countries with a Department of State Travel Advisory level of 3 or 4 are not permitted)

Proposal Review Committee - Completed proposals will be reviewed by the Proposal Review Committee made up of faculty and staff and chaired by Dr. Robin Poston, Associate Dean of the Graduate School

Timeline

  • Proposal Submission Deadline - Friday, July 13, 2018
  • Program Selection Results - Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Submission Instructions and Questions - Program Proposals should be submitted electronically by the due date to Ms. Rebecca Laumann at tigersabroad@memphis.edu.