CLAS Curriculum Development Grants

CLAS is looking for faculty affiliates and instructors to design curricular modules related to a Latin American topic, to enhance open-access learning intended for high school or community college students. These resources are intended for use as self-study or to supplement existing curriculum. High school educators and instructors may also use these modules in class or as assignment materials. Proposed modules should be self-contained units of instruction that includes presentations, relevant illustrations or graphics, and citations as needed. Lesson plans and/or resource guides for teachers/educators are not required, but encouraged.

Completed modules will be posted as open-access materials on the CLAS website. Formats should make use of freely available technology centrally supported and provided by Ohio State University and make use of technologies or computer programs readily available to the general public. In limited circumstances, CLAS can assist with the purchase of copyrighted images, additional technology, and supplemental resources.

Module Design

CLAS will accept modules in a variety of formats, such a PowerPoint slide video with embedded audio recording, an online video or podcast, online text with illustrations and citations, or a guided module. The following links are relevant examples of the type of modules needed:

• East Asian Studies Center Powerpoint with embedded audio
• Online text with illustrations
• Guided curriculum units

 Modules can contain information about other regions (for example, a topic such as global pollution) but at least 50% of the content must be specific to Latin America.

For information about State of Ohio curriculum standards to see what type of content is most useful for educators, please visit: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Foreign-Language. In your proposal, you are encouraged to include how the proposed curriculum module connects to State of Ohio educational standards.

Compensation

Modules can be developed by faculty members, or graduate and undergraduate students under the mentorship of a faculty member. 

• For faculty and graduate students, CLAS will process additional pay or supplemental compensation up to $2,000, or where possible, funds may be used to purchase materials or as a research supplement.
• For participating undergraduate students, CLAS will pay the undergraduate student $12 per hour for up to 60 hours.

CLAS seeks to support the development of new, interdisciplinary courses that address topics and issues related to Latin America. In particular, CLAS hopes to support courses geared toward:

• 5000-level courses for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students
• Courses in professional schools/colleges
• Topics addressing current events, international security, and indigenous studies

At least 25% of required course readings, lectures, or assignments as outlined in the syllabus must specifically focus on Latin America to be eligible. Comparative courses that explore topic across regions are welcome. Courses that are adaptable to in-person and online learning is encouraged.

Course design proposals should include:

• Potential demand: articulate the potential audiences for this course at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and evidence to support that there is demand for the course;
• Home department: outline which department would be the home unit for this course, potential cross-listings if applicable, and supporting documentation from the department(s) that this course will be offered. An email from the department chair is sufficient stating that the department agrees to submit the course for curriculum review, oversee the review process, and that the faculty member who applied for the funding will offer the course within one-year of the course receiving curriculum approval; and
• Latin American content: describe how the course will cover Latin America and the approximate final percentage of the course content that will relate to the region.
• Additional context: How does this course relate to new GE curriculum standards?

Compensation

CLAS hopes to fund two applications for new course design per academic year, with a maximum of $3,000 being awarded for each course. Funds can be requested for supplemental compensation, off-duty pay, research support, or curriculum materials.

Instructors who wish to apply should submit a complete proposal to Scott Schwenter (schwenter.1@osu.edu) and Leila Vieira (vieira.31@osu.edu). A complete proposal should include:

• One-two page narrative describing the course design or curriculum module proposed
  • What is the topic?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • What is the course design or curriculum module format?
• Budget Request
  • What resources are needed?
  • Who will be performing the work?
  • What is the estimate of hours required?

Please note that the funds will be centrally administered through CLAS. All undergraduate and graduate students should expect to work under the supervision of the assistant director of CLAS and provide regular updates on the work performed and make timely progress on the project. Faculty funds cannot be transferred to the faculty member’s home unit. Where possible, CLAS staff will assist with technology issues and/or questions, and will be responsible for posting the final product.

• School of Music graduate student Anabella Petronsi, under the supervision of Dr. Eugenia Costa-Giomi, designed two teaching modules on Argentine music, one for K-12 teachers and the other for K-12 music teachers. 
• Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese graduate student Justin Bland, under the supervision of Dr. Rebeka Campos-Astorkiza, designed content for Spanish phonetics courses.