The College of Arts & Sciences is looking for proposals for new Ampersand Programs. Ampersand Programs are small, multi-semester innovative courses designed to engage first-year students in the exciting work of the university—creating new knowledge. In addition to providing in-depth focus on a topic or cluster of topics within a seminar-style environment, Ampersand Programs offer unique experiential learning opportunities, such as research, international and domestic study travel, and community engagement. Ampersand’s co-curricular programming is supported by the College of Arts & Sciences, which is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of financial means, can participate fully in the rich offerings of these creative programs. Because of the significant costs associated with that commitment, the College can run each year only a limited number of programs that include substantial study travel. (See below for more on the College’s support for these programs.)
Ampersand Programs are highly impactful academic experiences for first-year students designed to spark their excitement about their coursework and increase their sense of belonging. The College of Arts & Sciences aims to increase its slate of these innovative curricular programs, so that every student has the opportunity to enroll in one. To that end, we are providing competitive course innovation grants to A&S instructors proposing new Ampersand Programs. We are looking for programs that challenge students to think critically about themselves as well as the world around them; that inspire them to learn about people, places, and cultures that are new to them; and that engage them in experiential learning beyond the classroom walls.
We particularly seek programs that:
- integrate community knowledge for students as a pathway to deeper community-engaged learning;
- introduce students to scholarly inquiry in innovative ways;
- foreground inquiry into issues of justice, ethics, diversity, and equity;
- engage in substantive ways with pressing contemporary societal or environmental issues; or
- engage first-year students in study travel with the goal of increasing awareness of the inherent benefits of study abroad opportunities.
Programs in all Arts & Sciences disciplines are welcome, but we are particularly interested in increasing our slate of programs in the social sciences and humanistic social sciences.
Eligibility
All full-time tenured, tenure-track, or teaching-track instructors in Arts & Sciences are eligible to apply. Participation of two or more faculty is required for Ampersand Programs. We welcome a variety of co-teaching models and appreciate collaboration across departments and programs.
Grant Amount
Chosen proposals will receive grants of up to $7,500 for developing a new Ampersand Program. Funds can be spent to purchase instructional and teaching materials, such as books, apps, and software; to pay for research assistants to find, curate, and create relevant materials; and to support approved collaborative activities between teaching partners. All expenses should be reasonable and directly related to the activities that will be conducted as part of the course. Funds may not be used for local meals, entertainment, or alcohol purchases.
Further non-financial support is available from the A&S Director of Curricular Innovation, First-Year Programs, and the Center for Teaching and Learning in designing the program.
Application Requirements
Applicants should prepare a statement with the following information:
- program name, theme/topic, and description
- interested program faculty (minimum of two)
- program learning objectives and goals
- specific Fall and Spring semester courses with brief description of each; this should include a draft of the Fall syllabus (to facilitate A&S Curriculum Committee approval if the program runs in 2025/2026)
- experiential learning plan for the program
- for proposed programs with domestic or international study travel: a proposed itinerary as well as an alternative plan if travel is not financially possible
- for proposed programs with community-engaged work: an outline of community partners and goals
- for proposed programs with research: an outline of research partners or resources needed
- for all programs: a budget for costs associated with the Ampersand course, i.e., funds (outside of travel or one-time expenses for equipment) needed to run the program as imagined. Please indicate if there are departmental or program funds that will be helping to support these costs on an annual basis.
- budget for the Course Development Grant funds (up to $7,500)
- indication of support from relevant department chairs / program directors
Please submit your proposal via this online webform.
Selection Criteria
Supported applications will foreground pedagogical innovation and experiential learning opportunities. Selection process will include discussion of course viability with relevant department chairs or program directors; instructors should therefore communicate with all relevant parties prior to submission.
