Faculty Reading Circles

Faculty Reading Circles (FRCs) are a new type of programming offered by the CFDE as of Fall 2024. FRCs are designed to promote conversations on campus about teaching and help faculty connect with colleagues across disciplines and departments. By participating, faculty get the opportunity to:

  • Read inspiring, useful, and meaningful pedagogical books and/or resources
  • Explore new teaching strategies and practices and consider how to apply them to their teaching and learning goals
  • Build and deepen interdisciplinary collegiate relationships

Facilitated by one or two CFDE staff members, these Zoom circles promote lively faculty-to-faculty discussions in a conversational format. To ensure productive conversations, we use both small-group and large-group discussion formats on Zoom (e.g., some meetings will rely more on breakout room discussions and some meetings, more on all group discussions.) Participants will receive access to a CFDE Canvas site with reading resources before FRC meetings start.

FALL 2024: Teaching with AI/ChatGPT

Our first Faculty Reading Circle is this Fall semester. This Circle will provide a space for faculty to explore questions and issues related to using generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT in teaching. During the semester, a small group of instructors will meet to discuss ideas from a focus book, or a selection of focus books and/or articles, sharing teaching experiences and strategies.

The FRC meeting dates and times during Fall 2024 are: 

  • October 16, 11:00 am -12:00 pm
  • October 30, 11:00 am -12:00 pm
  • November 6, 11:00 am -12:00 pm
  • November 20, 11:00 am -12:00 pm
  • December 11, 11:00 am -12:00 pm

CFDE Facilitators: Dr. Cecilia Gómez, Associate Director of Teaching and Pedagogy, and Dr. Donna Troka, Director of Inclusive Pedagogy

SPRING 2025: SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TEACHING IN AMERICAN CLASSROOMS

Our second Faculty Reading Circle is this Spring semester. This Circle will serve as a dedicated space for faculty to discuss and address questions and challenges related to supporting international graduate students teaching in American classrooms. Participants will explore several key topics designed to empower and support international student instructors, including 

  • understanding the educational orientation and pedagogy commonly used in American institutions—such as active learning and student-centered teaching—, so that international instructors can adapt their methods effectively
  • understanding cultural adjustment and cross-cultural communication styles, as international instructors may face challenges navigating different classroom norms, student expectations, and feedback dynamics
  • beyond classroom spaces, fostering a supportive community and providing faculty mentorship that includes guidance in syllabus design, preparing international instructors for the academic job market, and focusing on mentorship with tangible, career-oriented goals to help them feel fully integrated into the academic environment
  • for some international students, accessing appropriate resources and programs to further their preparation in academic and/or colloquial English
  • designing educational experiences and spaces where all graduate students can thrive when teaching in American classrooms

During the semester, a small group of instructors will meet on Zoom to discuss ideas from a selection of focus books and/or articles, sharing teaching experiences and strategies.

The FRC meeting dates and times during Spring 2025 are: 

  • Thursday, February 13, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Thursday, February 27, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Thursday, March 6, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Thursday, May 1, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Thursday, May 8, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

CFDE Facilitators: Dr. Donna Troka, Director of Inclusive Pedagogy, Dr. Cecilia Gómez, Associate Director of Teaching and Pedagogy, and Anwesha Das, Dean's Teaching Fellow

To join, please complete this application form. Please note that this FRC will accept up to seven faculty members, on a first-come, first-serve basis in terms of application and availability to participate in all or most of the meetings.

Graduate student instructors are not accepted at this time.

Applicants that are not accepted due to space limitations will still get access to the digital reading resources to complete readings on their own. Please read further below to sign up for this option.

What to expect for each meeting:

  • Read a few chapters of the focus book/s or articles before each meeting
  • Reflect on your teaching experiences
  • Bring a reflection or question to discuss with the group
  • Sign up for a FRC meeting date to lead the facilitation of the Circle

Applications close on February 3, 2025 at 1:00 pm.

Past FRCs:

  • Fall 2024: Teaching with AI/ChatGPT