UPEI Dean of Education Heads World Issues Working Group
In response to the recent UPEI Senate decision to introduce a new required course that will enhance undergraduate students' knowledge and understanding of important world issues, the University has created a multidisciplinary working group to guide the development and delivery of the first-year course.
Chaired by the Dean of Education, Dr. Graham Pike, the group will develop a writing-intensive curriculum and identify the most effective ways of delivering University 151: World Issues to take advantage of the considerable teaching and international expertise that the Faculty of Education and other members of the campus community have to offer.
The working group is made up of representatives from the faculties of education, arts, science, and business, the Robertson Library, the Webster Centre for Teaching and Learning, and the Student Union. The composition of the group reflects the University's commitment to consider the needs of all students and disciplines. Its members are Sandy McAuley, Joe Velaidum, Andrew Trivett, Sean Hennessey, Mark Leggott, Martha Gabriel, and Willy Gauthier.
"Our priority will be to ensure that this new course is both writing-intensive and thought-provoking; that it will present students with exciting opportunities to consider important world issues and strengthen their abilities to present their ideas about these issues in written form," says Dr. Pike.
The course is part of a larger initiative that requires all students to complete a second writing-intensive course as well. The University is also enhancing its writing support to individual students through the tutoring services of the Webster Centre for Teaching and Learning. In addition, the Webster Centre will work in co-operation with departments across campus to support the integration of writing-intensive elements in existing courses.
The University 151: World Issues working group held its first meeting on February 12. One of its priorities will be to identify a well-qualified co-ordinator for the new course and agree on the skill sets needed for instructors, who will be drawn from the UPEI Faculty Association membership. They will also consider the role that senior students can play as writing mentors.
"We are doing something innovative and valuable by introducing University 151: World Issues, something that other Canadian universities are also considering in different ways," says Dr. Pike. "And while we are looking at the role that peer mentors can play in supporting student writing, we have no intention at all of using students as teachers. This is a very important distinction to make."
The three-credit course will be introduced in September and offered during the fall semester of each year. All students will be required to successfully complete it by the time they graduate. The only exceptions will be those who have already completed English 101. The University is continuing to offer English 101 to students who wish to take it.
