Program Objectives
In response to the new Civic Discourse general education requirement, we are offering a competitive course development grant program for new or significantly revised courses across the university. Multiple $1,500 grants for new courses or $1,000 for significantly revised courses will be available; recipients will commit to teaching the courses over multiple semesters. The extra service grant will be paid in two portions: half after the grant is awarded and the remaining funds after the course has been taught two times.
Directions
Due Date: October 30th at 4 pm
Information Zoom Session: October 2nd at 1 pm
Contact: gened@binghamton.edu
- Eligibility requirements: The grant recipient must be the instructor of record for the proposed course during the lifetime of the grant. Graduate students are not eligible for this grant.
- Before grants are awarded, we will confirm with department/college/school leadership that the course is eligible.
- Participants agree that the Civic Discourse assignments developed through this grant program will be made available as sample assignments for other instructors interested in teaching Civic Discourse courses in the future.
- If your course is chosen, you will be required to submit the following materials by April 1st, 2027:
-
- Syllabus
- Assessment Instruments
- New General Education Course Proposal form on Modern Campus Curriculum
Civic Discourse Requirements
Your course must meet the following Civic Discourse Student Learning Outcomes and guidelines to be eligible for the grant. This information is found in full on our website.
Required Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate the discourse skills necessary to participate in civic life,
including:
- the deliberation of ideas through reasoned inquiry that seeks new information and considers multiple viewpoints.
- the ethical practice of advocacy, dissent, and dialogue that constructively attends to points of conflict.
Civic Discourse Guidelines:
- Courses up to 25 seats are most suited to this competency.
- Courses with seats of 26-50 will be considered if the instructor articulates a clear
plan for student participation that guarantees meaningful individual participation
and individual assessment.
Instructors for courses with more than 50 students should consult with the Assoc. Director for Undergraduate Education to determine if the course can be structured in a way that will meet the expectations. Write to gened@binghamton.edu.
- Courses with seats of 26-50 will be considered if the instructor articulates a clear
plan for student participation that guarantees meaningful individual participation
and individual assessment.
- The course should, in an explicit and significant way, prepare students for productive engagement in interactions on a topic of public interest. “Topics of public interest” are understood broadly, and examples can be found in any discipline.
- Each student must participate in at least 2 multi-student structured conversations, about such topics, with student-level assessment.
- There must be instructor feedback to each student individually after each structured conversation to identify areas for growth in the skills required for civic discourse. Peer feedback is also encouraged.
- Civic discourse-related activities and assignments must be at least 15% of the course
grade.
- The 2 multi-student structured conversations must each be graded and constitute at least 8% of the course grade; they may constitute the entire 15% if the instructor chooses.
- Related activities and assignments can make up the additional 7%.
- Civic discourse course activities should align with the mode of instruction (e.g.,
in person or online).
- In-person courses must have at least two in-person structured conversations. Additional digital interaction (e.g., discussion boards, forum responses) would be beneficial and is encouraged, but cannot substitute for either of the required structured conversations.
- Synchronous online courses must include at least 1 live structured conversation.
- In asynchronous online courses, structured conversations can be digital activities featuring multiple substantial interactions; however, it is encouraged to offer at least one structured conversation live.
You can use the Civic Discourse Course Development Grant Template to prepare your proposal prior to submitting in the form below.
Submit your grant proposal here: Civic Discourse Course Development Grant Proposal From