Dear Chancellor’s Scholars,
Hope you’re enjoying spring!
Last year we wrote you about our Grand Challenge Experience courses – the first in the campus’s new approach to General Education. Today we’re writing to tell you about the next stage in Grand Challenge Learning. In Fall 2016, we are introducing our new 200-level Critical Frameworks courses, each of which meets at least two Gen Ed requirements. We think these innovative courses are ideal for honors students who know that topics like Health, Inequality, and Sustainability require a multi-disciplinary approach.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with several professors from all over campus who care passionately about topics like climate change, debt, and healthy communities? Students like you told us about these interests. We’ve reached out to some of the most talented teachers on campus to create three unique Critical Frameworks courses—a new way of exploring these challenging subjects while earning General Education credits.
The Frameworks courses will put you in conversation with award-winning faculty in the arts, sciences, social sciences, humanities, business, and engineering.
Each Frameworks course meets twice per week: first for a lecture that gathers all students and faculty, and next in small seminars. Through this innovative structure, you’ll benefit from the expertise of several faculty while working closely with your professor and a network of peers. You’ll meet interesting students, hear great lectures, and participate in group projects that you can publish on your own electronic portfolio.
Click on the below links to Course Explorer and see which Frameworks course fits your interests and schedule! You can also watch our short video at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFWLHoAheOQ&feature=youtu.be, visit our webpage at
https://undergrad-education.illinois.edu/initiatives/grand-challenge-learning-pilot/index.html, talk to your advisor, or email lgoodad@illinois.edu.
GCL 200/201*: Frameworks for Inequality & Cultural Understanding
https://courses.illinois.edu/schedule/2016/fall/GCL/200
2 Gen Eds: Humanities & the Arts/US Minority Cultures
(*GCL 201 also meets Advanced Composition)
GCL 210: Frameworks for Sustainability, Energy & the Environment
https://courses.illinois.edu/schedule/2016/fall/GCL/210
2 Gen Eds: Humanities & the Arts/Cultural Studies
GCL 220: Frameworks for Building Healthy Communities
https://courses.illinois.edu/schedule/2016/fall/GCL/220
2 Gen Eds: Humanities & the Arts/Cultural Studies
Please let us know if you have any questions!
With all best wishes,
Lauren Goodlad
Provost Fellow for Undergraduate Education
lgoodlad@illinois.edu
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