Cal Poly Faculty-Led Programs - Faculty Application
Faculty Selection Process
International Education and Programs (IEP) administers quarter-long study abroad programs which provide faculty with the opportunity to teach abroad. These study abroad programs travel to Australia, London, Peru, Spain and Thailand.
Highest priority in the selection process is given to faculty with a record of excellence in teaching and who teach courses the students most need (GE C4 & D5*). Although faculty development is an important element of the faculty-led study abroad programs, the programs are driven by the curricular needs of the students. Because faculty participating in Australia or Spain Fall Program may teach a reduced load during their quarter abroad, they must make arrangements to fulfill their yearly teaching assignment with their deans and department chairs as part of the application process. They may need to teach an overload during another academic quarter. Faculty applying for academic year programs are encouraged to arrange their annual 36 weighted teaching unit (WTUs) requirement. Faculty teaching during summers will be funded for extra pay through Continuing Education, but still need department chair and dean approval.
*Please note, faculty-led programs have a history of bringing faculty that teach courses from their own discipline (e.g. AGB, ARCH, and CENG) while maintaining the GE focus
Criteria Used in Evaluating Applications for all Faculty-Led Programs
The following criteria will be used in evaluating the applications:
- Proven teaching effectiveness
- Appropriateness of proposed course(s) for the specific program
- Demonstrated record of active involvement with students
- Willingness and ability to work with others to develop and lead the program
- On-campus availability of the applicant for program participation (including student advisement, faculty orientation, program planning, and pre-departure orientation workshops in the two quarters immediately preceding teaching in the program)
- On-campus availability for the year following the program
- Potential of the quarter abroad experience to enrich future teaching at Cal Poly
- Scholarly interests that complement the teaching effectiveness within the program
- Language proficiency where applicable
Faculty Role
Faculty will be expected to promote the program for two quarters prior and for one year after the program. Faculty will attend info and pre-departure meetings, make classroom presentations and work closely with IEP staff. We encourage all faculty interested in applying to read the Cal Poly Faculty Handbook for Study Abroad for Faculty-Led Programs to fully understand the role faculty play in these programs
Application and Appointment Deadlines
| Program | Application Due Date | Activity |
|---|---|---|
|
Australia |
December 1, 2011 |
Please submit online application |
| London, Peru, Spain -Summer and Thailand | March 1, 2012 |
Please submit online application |
| Spain - Fall | June 1, 2012 | Please submit online application |
IEP Program Director sends announcement of faculty appointments to colleges and departments as soon as they become available. Appointments made at this time are provisional, subject to student enrollment, as confirmed by registration in the quarter of the program assignment. This timeline will be modified only if provisional faculty appointments still need to be made.
Program Descriptions and Faculty Support
All programs fund faculty for airfare and accommodation at fixed rate covering base level expenses.
Cal Poly in Australia– Winter Quarter
The Cal Poly in Australia Winter Quarter Program provides an opportunity for faculty to teach Cal Poly students at the University of Adelaide in southern Australia. While the primary focus of this program is Wine and Viticulture, all faculty are encouraged to apply, but in order to enhance the program, faculty who teach upper division GE courses (areas C and D) are preferred.Organized program field trips to three wine regions, Kangaroo Island, and a national wildlife park are an integral part of the program. For more information contact the Supervisor of Cal Poly Faculty-Led Programs, Jennifer O'Brien, at jeobrien@calpoly.edu or at (805) 756-7321.
Cal Poly in London – Summer Quarter:
Teaching faculty will be comprised of Cal Poly faculty but may be augmented by adjunct lecturers from British institutions. Although the curricular emphasis primarily focuses on general education courses in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, the program encourages and supports participation by faculty in other colleges as well. Courses in London emphasize social, cultural, economic and political characteristics of British society, exploring London and its surrounding communities. The London courses coordinate class lectures with out-of-class activities. While in London, faculty are invited to attend, at no cost, the weekly events scheduled as part of the social and cultural program. For more information contact Miriam Rabban, Program Coordinator at marabban @calpoly.edu or (805) 756-6161.
Cal Poly in Peru– Summer Quarter
The Cal Poly in Peru Program is a five and a half week summer program in Cuzco. The program offers field trips to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the Peruvian Amazon. Students and faculty will also work on community service projects. The program offers three 4-unit courses, one of which is a Spanish class taught by Peruvian instructors. The preference is for the other two classes to be General Education classes. Interested faculty must demonstrate an acceptable level of Spanish proficiency. Applicants with research and teaching interest in the Latin American region are preferred. For more information contact the Supervisor of Cal Poly Faculty-Led Programs, Jennifer O'Brien, at jeobrien@calpoly.edu or at (805) 756-7321.
Cal Poly in Spain – Summer and Fall Quarters
The Cal Poly in Spain Program provides faculty with two options to teach in Valladolid, Spain. The summer program is a 4-week program where students enroll in 8 units of credit (4 units of Spanish and a 4-unit Cal Poly class). The fall program is a 12 weeks and students enroll in 16-18 units of credit (8 units of Spanish and 8-10 units of Cal Poly classes). Both programs offer excursions to Madrid, Segovia, and Salamanca as well as important sites in Valladolid. Interested faculty must demonstrate an acceptable level of Spanish proficiency. Applicants with research and teaching interest in Spain and surrounding region are preferred. For more information contact the Supervisor of Cal Poly Faculty-Led Programs, Jennifer O'Brien, at jeobrien@calpoly.edu or at (805) 756-7321.
Cal Poly in Thailand– Summer Quarter
The Cal Poly in Thailand Program is offers an intense academic experience focusing on the cultural, economic and social aspects of Southeast Asia. Thailand retains a unique character, with a blend of ancient culture and modern industry. While on the program, students obtain between 12 of credit. Travel is incorporated into the program with students studying in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Planned field trips to local sites in both areas of study and a trip to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. For more information contact the Supervisor of Cal Poly Faculty-Led Programs, Jennifer O'Brien, at jeobrien@calpoly.edu or at (805) 756-7321.