For the Record

Oct. 22–Nov. 5, 2008

Wisconsin Week, the newspaper of record for UW–Madison, carries legally required notices for faculty and staff.

Global Studies invites proposals for faculty development grants

Global Studies invites faculty proposals for research initiatives under the umbrella theme of “Human Networks in a Global World.” Grants ranging from $1,000–3,000 will be awarded to initiate new projects or build on existing ones. Projects may address a range of topics such as environment, education, culture, media, labor, public policy, health or human rights, to name a few. Global Studies is especially interested in research that takes stock of and analyzes intellectual, social, and institutional alliances and associations that characterize and create a globally connected yet diverse world. Research funded under this initiative should contribute to Global Studies during the first half of the 2009 calendar year, and all funds must be spent prior to Aug. 31. Global Studies seeks to identify projects that might be eligible for ongoing support as part of the next round of Title VI funding (2010–14).

The theme of “Human Networks” addresses two important dimensions of Global Studies. First, Global Studies emphasizes the constantly changing connections that are shaped by communities, groups and individuals. These human networks operate within and also expand beyond nation-state and traditional regional boundaries. They reflect central, often competing, understandings of collective well-being and human security, and they find expression in such varied forms as the arts, sciences and humanities, as well as in business, popular culture, and schools and universities. Questions of networks therefore emerge at numerous locations. Accordingly, this call will support micro- as well as macro-analyses of historical and contemporary trends, institutions and processes.

The second dimension of the theme clarifies the notion of human networks. Human security and global sustainability are integrally related. Likewise, human security, human development, and human cultural and capital networks are fundamentally entwined. From this perspective the study of human networks engages issues and analytic paradigms that transcend professional and disciplinary borders. This call will support proposals that advance a more critically informed framework for understanding how human networks respond to and shape global conditions and geopolitical realities.

As a complement to the area studies programs of the International Institute, Global Studies focuses on phenomena that exceed the boundaries of national and area-studies models of research. Global Studies invites applications from scholars who are engaged with growing research literatures on global connections and conditions. Applicants may propose activities including lectures, workshops, conferences, speaker series, cultural activities, campus visitors and field research. Requests that leverage other sources of funding or are intended to lead to broader projects are encouraged. Awards will be administered through Global Studies to pay for specific items along the lines listed above. This call is open to faculty at the assistant, associate and full professor level in any department or college. Interdisciplinary and cross-departmental proposals are encouraged. Awards may not be used for capital expenses, entertainment, graduate assistantships or student travel. Any international travel must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

Applicants should submit the following materials:

• Cover sheet that includes project title, duration, participants and amount requested;
• Brief project description and expected outcomes (up to 1,000 words);
• Budget that includes specific cost estimates;
• Abbreviated CV of project leader and other key personnel (up to four pages).

Proposals will be judged on thematic relevance, originality, feasibility, outcomes and potential contribution to the future development of Global Studies. Submit proposals or questions to Global Studies by Saturday, Nov. 15.

Deadline approaching for summer sessions course proposals

The Dean of Continuing Studies welcomes proposals for the development of new and innovative credit courses to be offered in the summer. This year, proposals are encouraged for both developing and offering credit courses using distance education technology to reach audiences both on and beyond the campus. The deadline for proposals in the following three programs is Friday, Nov. 7, to the dean of Continuing Studies.

• Distance Education Initiative

  National trends in summer school education indicate an increased demand for distance education courses to be offered in the summer. As a result, schools and colleges are encouraged to think creatively about their distance and summer offerings. Schools and colleges are encouraged to offer existing distance education courses as part of their summer array. Also, this year funds are available to be spent during this semester and the spring semester to develop new distance-education courses to be offered next summer and beyond.

  Courses proposed are encouraged to be interdisciplinary and to provide opportunities for students from across the campus to enroll (not limited to students in only one college). The courses can be offered in the three-, four- or eight-week sessions and may use topic numbers while permanent course numbers are being sought from divisional committees. Summer Session deans are asked to prioritize any proposals received from their faculty before forwarding them to the dean of Continuing Studies.

• University Summer Forum

  Open to registered students and the public, these programs are usually offered in two sessions of four weeks each. The first forum, usually taught under the rubric Contemporary Issues in American Society, is held in the DDD Session, June 15–July 10; the second, which does not have to be a Contemporary Issues title, is held during the HDD session, July 13–Aug. 7. Both meet in Grainger Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7–9 p.m., followed by a discussion section.

  The Summer Forum is listed in the Timetable for three credits under the primary academic department and for one credit under Intercollege (943). Students registered for one credit attend all lectures and complete projects as assigned by the instructor; students registered for three credits attend all lectures and discussion sections and complete all assignments and exams as determined by the instructor.

  The primary academic department determines topics and speakers. Funds are available for honoraria and speakers’ expenses. The faculty member of record receives one-ninth of academic-year salary (or proportionate amount) for presenting lectures and leading discussions. DCS assists with logistics (facilities, equipment, etc.), marketing and coordination with the academic department(s). Schools and colleges interested in offering the University Summer Forum may collaborate with the Division of Continuing Studies on a joint proposal.

• Windows on the World

  This program focuses on the culture of a particular country or region. DCS provides one-ninth of a faculty member’s salary to teach the course. Funds are available from the Office of Summer Sessions to enhance the course with cultural events or outside speakers. Send proposals to Joan Raducha, associate dean of International Studies, 268A Bascom Hall; she will coordinate logistics in conjunction with DCS staff. Interested faculty should contact Joan at 262-2851.

Anyone with questions about any of the above three programs can direct them to Katy Duren, 263-5114.