Budget Proposal Narrative Division: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Transcription

1 Budget Proposal Narrative Division: College of Humanities and Social Sciences Global Curriculum and Scholarship Priority #1 Statement of Purpose: (What is the problem or opportunity being addressed? How will you address this problem or opportunity?) One goal of CHSS is to support global education, curricula, and scholarship. This includes offering more courses focused on global and international topics and issues, providing more global learning opportunities during the academic year, supporting international faculty exchanges, hosting international speakers, and supporting faculty in international research, etc. While curricular development is within the purview of each department/program, only one or two departments have been effective in facilitating global learning/faculty-led study abroad experiences during the academic year due to course coverage needs and financial issues. Study abroad offerings during the academic year would increase opportunities for students to engage in global learning. Western has signed Memoranda of Understanding or has partnerships with 30+ international universities, yet there are few activities that take advantage of these relationships due to lack of funding. There are also no incentives for faculty to seek international research opportunities. While results of faculty scholarship directly inform faculty teaching, currently there are no incentives for faculty to seek international research opportunities. This initiative would fund global curriculum and scholarship to enhance the learning experiences for all students. As a whole, CHSS has already demonstrated its commitment and interest to internationalization and global curricula. The college would like to build on its current efforts: 50% of the attendees in the CIS Global Curriculum Workshops have been from CHSS. One department has worked creatively to provide faculty-led study abroad during the AY, although without support this is not sustainable. CHSS faculty hold leadership positions in professional organizations related to internationalization and globalization. CHSS faculty hold leadership positions in WWU centers and institutes. CHSS faculty hold leadership positions in WWU committees related to internationalization. CHSS faculty routinely conduct research abroad that is integrated into teaching. CHSS faculty regularly mentor and support students for Fulbright Awards. The departments and programs, by their nature, offer courses by way of normal programming in areas that represent diverse cultures, languages, age groups, and perspectives. CHSS faculty are active on the One World Committee and share information, seek input, and involve their respective faculty. CHSS offers multiple courses with the ACGM attribute in the GUR program. CHSS faculty continue to provide public lectures on international topics. CHSS has hired or accepted Visiting Professors and Fulbright Scholars from a variety of countries. CHSS faculty participated in the International Opportunities Fair. CHSS faculty also regularly present at conferences abroad, including several this year, and some faculty focus their research on international topics. Tenure track hiring has provided departments opportunities to explore areas such as the Middle East, South Asia, and Multi-Ethnic Literatures. 1

2 In addition to study-abroad opportunities, many CHSS students spend time outside the United States in internships and practica. CHSS departments offer a growing number of study abroad courses and CHSS delivers 41-45% of the successful study-abroad courses. The Center for East Asian Studies continues to be engaged with hosting and sponsoring international conferences. The CHSS Dean and the Director of International Studies/MCL faculty member Professor Vicki Hamblin were part of a presidential delegation to visit China and Mongolia in fall Prof. Hamblin also accompanied CHSS faculty members to visit universities in France in spring CHSS departments are hosting a visiting faculty member from the National University of Mongolia in Spring 2016 and a Fulbright Scholar (whose partner will also be speaking in the World Issues Forum) via the Outreach Lecturing Fund this quarter. CHSS has an established partnership and active exchange with the University of Lyon (France). The Director of International Studies/MCL faculty member will be participating in a Fulbright training that will allow her to better represent facilitate visits by Fulbright scholars. CHSS, often with the support from the Provost s Office, has sponsored faculty and students to attend leadership conferences (e.g., Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc., Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education). This proposal requests funding to support: enhance curricula focused on global and international topics; additional faculty-led study abroad opportunities for students and faculty, particularly during the academic year; facilitate faculty exchanges with international universities; hosting international speakers; and incentives for international scholarship via professional leaves or research grants. To this end, funds to provide NTT coverage for 12 sections (approx. $115,000, may be supplemented by the Center for International Studies), part time support staff (approx. $30,000), supplies and materials for promotion (approx. $2,000), equipment for visiting faculty (approx. $9,000 in one-time costs), and lodging and travel for faculty exchanges/scholarship/fulbright scholars (approx. $42,500) are being requested. Anticipated Outcome(s): If approved, this proposal would provide funds for: 1. Enhanced Curricula: Departments/programs to offer new or experimental courses with international topics and issues during the academic year. Currently, faculty face limitations when wanting to teach a new course due to other courses that must be offered. Funds to provide NTT coverage such that faculty can offer a new or experimental course focused on international/global topics would allow a more diverse curriculum and additional opportunities for students. 2. Provide More International Experiences for Students: Departments/programs to offer more study abroad opportunities for students: Currently, this option is not viable for departments/programs who must deliver courses during the academic year. Faculty who are abroad are not able to teach their regular course load. Funds to provide NTT to teach classes vacated by a faculty member leading a study abroad course would minimize this issue and provide more opportunities for students. 3. Support Faculty Exchanges: CHSS has many faculty who could contribute to international universities as evidenced by a trip by Western delegates to visit/meet with seven universities in China and Mongolia. Essentially all expressed interest in faculty exchanges and it is likely that many other universities have the same desire. Supporting one or two CHSS faculty exchanges per year would prove beneficial for Western and international universities and their students. 2

3 4. Host International Speakers and Fulbright Scholars: The Western community has benefitted greatly from international speakers. Visits and presentations will provide valuable opportunities for students, faculty, and the Bellingham community. 5. Support for Faculty Scholarship: Western faculty need support for research that must be conducted internationally. Faculty can apply for professional leave or summer research grants to enhance their scholarship. However, when their research requires international travel, there is no source of funds outside of the regular college and department allotment to support these trips. Thus, some important research may not take place. Funds that facilitate faculty travel for research will open more opportunities as well as provide incentives for faculty to propose international research. Metrics: (How will outcomes be measured?) 1. Increase in the number of courses offered with international or global topics in CHSS and Western. 2. Increase in faculty-led study abroad opportunities for students in CHSS and Western. 3. Increase in the number of faculty exchanges with international universities at in CHSS and Western. 4. Increase in the number of funded international speakers and visitors in CHSS and Western. 5. Increase in the number of professional leave and summer research grant proposals submitted and funded in CHSS and Western. How does this project support the University Mission and Strategic Objectives? Funding this initiative would support all of Western s Strategic Goals: Build on Western s strengths to address critical needs in the State of Washington. Expand student access to rigorous and engaging baccalaureate and graduate education. Foster and promote life-long learning and success in an ever-changing world. Apply Western s expertise and collaborative approach to scholarship, creativity, and research in ways that strengthen communities beyond the campus. Serve as a model for institutional effectiveness, innovation, diversity, and sustainability. CHSS Objectives: (5) Fostering participation in academic experiences such as internships, service-learning, and study abroad programs that promote an ongoing, proactive and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge. (6) Promoting student and faculty engagement in activities addressing the social, cultural, environmental, physiological and political challenges facing the world. What are the consequences of not funding this package? 1. Western and CHSS will continue to offer the same number of courses with international topics/issues that are department/program dependent. 2. Western and CHSS will continue to offer sporadic and infrequent study abroad opportunities for students, and the vast majority will be offered only in the summer. 3. There will continue to be precious few faculty exchanges, which will be sporadic, and partnerships with international universities will continue to have little meaning. 4. Western and CHSS will continue to offer sporadic and infrequent presentations that will be department/program dependent, limiting opportunities for students and faculty. 3

4 5. Faculty will continue to limit potential research opportunities due to lack of funds to support international scholarship. What alternatives were explored and why was this alternative chosen? Currently, Western supports international initiatives in small but significant ways via the Center for International Studies, visiting international scholars in individual departments, department proposed and implemented faculty-led study abroad offerings (in conjunction with Global Learning Programs), specific events focused on global and international issues, etc. CHSS would like to move forward as a college and leader to further global curricula and scholarship for the benefit of students and faculty. Which units (departments, colleges, etc.) will be involved? All CHSS departments and programs would be involved. These include: Department of Anthropology Department of Communication Studies Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Department of English Department of History Department of Journalism Department of Liberal Studies Department of Modern and Classical Languages Department of Philosophy Department of Physical Education, Health, and Recreation Department of Political Science Department of Psychology Department of Sociology East Asian Studies Program Linguistics Program Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program Additionally, CHSS hopes to work collaboratively with and support the Center for International Studies, the World Issues Forum. List any external advocates. Current partner universities Potential partner universities Bellingham community Equipment: (For major (>$25k) purchases, please provide the following information.) Purpose: Cost: 4

5 Operating & Maintenance Costs: Anticipated Useful Life: Replacement Cost if any: Space Requirements: How much new space will be required? Office space: 1. Staff 2. Visiting faculty Is appropriate space available on campus? Yes If no, what space is needed and what features must the space have (e.g., fume hoods, plumbing, 3-phase power, etc.)? No specialized space is needed. 5