FAQs

We welcome courses on any topic, but here are a few guidelines: IDEAS classes should have an academic focus that is often interdisciplinary or merged with an extracurricular-type activity (for example, a previous class used learning about food as a way to explore different cultures and spend part of their time cooking.)

In general, we seek topic that bring something new to the curricular rather than copying a current class (though they can be inspired by regular classes or a past IDEAS class). Topics that reflect student' interests, values and commitments to our campus and our world and that can appeal to students from more than one major work best. 

The most competitive category of course topics is media-related. Do keep this in mind as we seek to balance the topic offerings for each cycle. Seeing the descriptions of this year's classes might help.

Yes, both of you should submit applications but you can use the same answers for some questions. If you'd like to co-facilitate or are open to the idea but don't have a partner in mind, there is a place to indicate on the application.

No, the program is structured to help you get ready to facilitate your course in the spring; this starts in the fall, with and on-campus retreat and meetings designed to guide you in developing your course and to create community among the new facilitators as this is a collaborative and supportive process.

During the fall term, students are required to enroll in the 1-credit course IND 300: Building IDEAS: Pedagogy for Student-instructors. This course is focused on facilitation skills and building your course syllabus. 

In spring, facilitators are required to take the IDEAS seminar (IND 333: Democratic Education) in which we explore teaching strategies and questions together.

As long as you are excited about your course idea and willing to invest the time and thought to develop it, you will be set. The co-directors are there to assist you throughout the year.