Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) Newsletter - Vol. 02, No. 01 - Fall 2011

              Center for Academic Excellence
Fall 2011 Volume 2, Number 1
In This Issue
Update: What’s happening?
Scheduled Offerings
Opportunities for Faculty
Teaching Resources & Tips
Core Integration
Online:
Core Integration Activities
Learn more about Core activities
Core Pathways brochure
Learn more about the Pathways
and view the brochure ( .PDF)
Core Mission
Learn more about the mission of the
Core and requirements
FPLCs:
To learn more about FPLCs @
Fairfield visit the CAE site 
CAE Newsletter
In this issue of the Center for Academic Excellence’s Newsletter, you will find news, information on
CAE offerings and other campus resources, as well as opportunities to engage in various activities.
We look forward to working with you this semester!
Since 2003, the CAE has supported innovation and scholarship in teaching and learning across
Fairfield University. We eagerly support individual, department, program, or unit work on the
University’s strategic goals: Core Integration, Living & Learning, the integration of the Jesuit mission
in graduate and professional education, and diversity. This newsletter highlights ongoing work with
collaborators across campus on these efforts.
“What’s happening?”
CAE Directorship
Dr. Larry Miners, Professor of Economics, has returned to the Center for Academic
Excellence as director for the 2011 – 2012 academic year. He resumes his directorship
after a year-long sabbatical during which interim CAE director Dr. Kathy Nantz, Director
of Core Integration and Associate Professor of Economics carried on the CAE’s mission.
Thank you Kathy for your fabulous work!
Progress on the Core Pathways Project
Significant progress on the Core Pathways Project was made during AY 2010 – 2011.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kathy Nantz, Director of the Core Integration Initiative
(2005 – 2011), and the Faculty Directors of the six Pathways to Integration
(Engaging Traditions, Creative and Aesthetic Engagement, Global Citizenship,
Quantitative Reasoning, Rhetoric & Reflection, Scientific Reasoning). On May 3,
2011, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee approved a motion in support of the Core
Pathways.  Learn more about the Core Integration Initiative (CII).  View the Pathways brochure
to learn about Pathways formulation and their associated learning objectives, and the Pathways
summary for student learning outcomes.  Contribute to the ongoing Core Pathways curriculum
map by completing an inventory of your courses as they align with particular Pathways.
Worksheets available through the CAE, email us .  For 2011 – 2012, the CAE looks forward to
collaborations with Dr. Manyul Im, Associate Professor of Philosophy, and new Associate Dean in
the College of Arts & Sciences, who will work on continuing the institutionalization of core
integration and assessment of student learning.
5th Year of Fairfield FPLCs Ready to Takeoff
In 2011 – 2012, the CAE will facilitate three Faculty and Professional Learning
Communities (FPLCs)*: (1) JUHAN – Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network;
(2) Cities; and (3) Mindfulness in Teaching.  Learn more about the FPLC program,
check our website.  Watch for the Call for Participation in Spring 2012.
*A Faculty & Professional Learning Community (FPLC) is a cross-disciplinary group of
5-8 members, committed to a year-long teaching and learning program, with seminars and
activities for learning, development, and community building. FPLCs address Strategic Goal I, on
integrating undergraduate core courses with one another, with themajor, and with the mission.