GSD 101 Application Information

Foundations for Learning
Pilot First-Year Course
to
Improve Critical and Creative Thinking and Student Success
GSD 101 / Fall 2009
Instructor Application Form

GSD 101, Foundations for Learning, is a three-credit hour pilot course to provide foundation knowledge and skills in critical and creative thinking and to increase success and persistence of first year EKU students.  Instructors are currently being recruited to teach in Fall 2009 and become part of the Foundations for Learning Instructor Team.  Sections will be limited to 25 students and will include undeclared students, as well as students majoring in Psychology, Correctional & Juvenile Justice, Criminal Justice, and Police Studies. Please visit http://www.qep.eku.edu/course/ to learn more about the course.    

Full-time faculty, professional staff with a master's degree and teaching experience and adjunct (including part-time) instructors are being sought for these positions at the standard pay rate per EKU policy for teaching a course.  Each instructor will receive compensation as overload or adjunct pay or the academic department will be reimbursed for reassigned time, commensurate with EKU policies and procedures.  

Benefits for instructors include:

1. Engaging at the grass-roots level in helping to create the second implementation of an intentionally-designed first-year foundational curriculum to improve student learning, better prepare students for college and life, and improve student retention.
2. Gaining a better understanding of EKU's first-year students.
3. Helping new students transition to the EKU college environment and experiencing the joy of developing special and enduring relationships with students.
4. Enhancing, improving, and invigorating the teaching experience through innovative pedagogy and instructional strategies that can impact all courses.
5. Developing a methodology of critical thinking to promote even higher student academic success in your department.
6. Building professional partnerships and camaraderie across different disciplines and divisions—enhancing a stronger sense of community.
7. Earning a stipend for professional development and payment for teaching the course.   

Expectations of instructors include:

1. Participating in the Foundations for Learning Instructor Team, beginning in spring 2009.
2. Meeting weekly with the Instructor Team to refine the course, share instructional methods and resources, develop common assessment items that address the core learning objectives, and to continually evaluate and critique the course outcomes.
3. Participating in professional development during the week of May 11-19, 2009 (for a stipend).
4. Developing individual course over the summer of 2009.
5. Teaching a section of GSD 101 in Fall 2009.

Apply today to be considered for this exciting new initiative to build foundational skills and success for new EKU students!