Request for Proposals: Global Perspectives in the Curriculum

In June 2016, the President and Chancellors of the University of Nebraska formally adopted a revised Strategy for Global Engagement at the University. That document emphasized that “strengthening global engagement and building on a tradition of success with international activities will improve the educational outcomes the university seeks.”

One of the six goals identified in the new Strategy document is to encourage faculty to increase global perspectives in their on-campus courses and programs. More than 70% of our students do not participate in a formal education abroad program, and it is important that these students be exposed to global themes, regional histories and perspectives, foreign languages and literatures, and disciplinary insights from different regions of the world. Such experiences are essential in order for students to develop a global mindset and the skills they need in order to contribute meaningfully in our rapidly changing and globalizing world.

During the 2017-2018 academic year, the University of Nebraska Central Administration will make 13 awards of $5,000 each across all campuses to support the development of new courses or the revision of existing courses whose purpose is to introduce global or international perspectives to large numbers of students as part of the on-campus curriculum. A single application process will be used and applications will be reviewed through a competitive process.

  • It is expected that new courses selected for funding will be proposed through the appropriate departmental, college, and campus curriculum committees for review and approval, with the goal that all new courses will be fully approved no later than December 2018 and ready to be taught no later than Spring Semester 2019. 
  • Proposals must include formal evaluation of the course, in addition to regular course assignments and a final grade.
  •  The maximum budget available for any one course is $5000. A detailed budget is required as part of the proposal. Possible expenditures could include summer salary (with departmental approval), travel to develop course-related materials, partial support for a student worker, and purchase of books or resources for the course. Funds are expected to be spent by June 30, 2018.
  • New course proposals will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria listed below.

Evaluation Criteria:

1. Course description and instructor(s) (20 points)

a. The individual(s) who will create/revise and teach the course and their experience with the proposed content, including teaching or research at a previous institution. Attach a recent CV for those individuals involved with the course.

b. The academic department in which the course will be offered.

c. The proposed level of the course.

d. How frequently the course will be offered after it is created/revised and officially approved.

e. How many students the course is expected to enroll each time offered. f. Key objectives of the course, including proposed learning outcomes. g. Steps to be taken to get the course approved through the approval process (department, college, campus-wide, etc.).

2. Need for the course (10 points)

a. Explain why the proposed course is needed by the academic department or program and how it fits into the curriculum of both the academic department and other majors or minors or programs on campus.

b. Indicate whether the academic department offers other courses on similar or related topics. If so, please identify and describe (1-2 sentences per course).

3. Proposed budget and cost effectiveness (10 points)

a. Provide a detailed budget with proposed costs and timeline for expenditures.

b. Identify the person(s) who will incur those costs.

c. Explain whether other funds will be used to leverage NU Central’s funds for this curricular project from department, college or other sources.

4. Assessment of impact (10 points)

a. In addition to regular course assignments and final grades, describe other steps that will be taken, such as pre/post assessment activities or a tracking system, to assess whether the proposed course has made a difference in the personal and professional development of the students who enroll in it.

b. Provide a timeline for the evaluation process and its implementation once the course begins.

The deadline for submitting proposals is Wednesday November 8, 2017.

Please submit your proposal and any questions you may have to: 

Office of Global Strategies, Erika Hepburn, ehepburn2@unl.edu