Greg Whitesides, Department of History.

Michèle Shuster, Associate Professor of Biology and Co-Director of the NMSU-HHMI Programs New Mexico State University Summary: at NMSU we have two introductory biology courses (Biol 111G and Biol 211G). Through a series of internal and external funding opportunities we have had the opportunity to implement and evaluate the impact of a variety of course structures in each course. These have included a ³traditional² lecture, the use of in-class case studies, the use of peer-facilitated small-group workshops, and the use of in-class case studies facilitated by peer instructors.  Based on overall pass rates as well as pass rates by gender and by underrepresented minority (URM) status, we have found that there are differences in the effectiveness of the different course structures in Biol 211G and in Biol 111G. Clearly, what is the ³best practice² for one course is not the best practice for the other. There is also variation in how different groups (URM and non-URM) respond to the course structures in Biol 211G.  In addition to pass rates, we have also monitored mastery of a particularly challenging topic in Biol 211G (cellular respiration) and student opinions about course structure. Our results suggest that instructors need to track course-specific outcomes in order to determine ³best practices² in the context of a particular course at a particular institution. Instructors should be prepared to evaluate and respond to assessment data in order to continuously adapt approaches to enhance student success.

The annual Dean’s Awards Reception recognizes the winners of the following CLAS awards for 2012-2013:
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards
Outstanding Graduate Student Awards
Outstanding Faculty Awards
Outstanding Staff Award
 
Light refreshments will be served.

Un poeta costarricense le habla a Dios y al amor By Professor Jorge Chen Sham, PhD, Costa Rican Professor of Spanish and Spanish-American Literatures
 
Professor Jorge Chen Sham holds a PhD in Romance Studies, with a specialization in Spanish, awarded by Université Paul Valéry, Montpellier III, in France (1990). Since 2003, Professor Chen Sham has taught at the School of Philology, Linguistics and Literature at the University of Costa Rica. In San José, Professor Chen Sham teaches Central-American literatures, literary theory, and Spanish literature. His research fields are Central-American literatures, literary prose from twentieth-century Spain and Spanish America, the Generación del 98 and the Generación del 27, and lyric poetry from Spanish-speaking countries. Professor Chen Sham is also an active member of the Nicaraguan Academy of the Spanish Language and of the American Academy for the Spanish Language. More than two hundred and fifty peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and proceedings by Professor Chen Sham have been published in academic journals in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, México, United States, Colombia, Chile, Spain, France, Chile, Germany, Italy, and Argentina. The lecture will be in Spanish and open to the public. Snacks and refreshments will be served.
 
For more information, please contact: Professor Andrés Lema-Hincapié: 303-556-3443 / Andres.Lema-Hincapie@ucdenver.edu

Join us for an informal discussion about student diversity on campus. Students will share their stories about what they like, what is challenging, what opportunities are available to them, what is missing, and where they go from here. The event is free, but you must have a ticket to attend so that we will have a count for food. Please pick up your ticket in the sociology department office in Lawrence Street Center Room 420. This event is proudly hosted by the CU Denver Students of Sociology Club.
 
For more information, please contact Joshua Goode at joshua.goode@ucdenver.edu.

The Dean’s Office will be holding an RTP orientation for all faculty undergoing an RTP review this coming year (2013-14). Chairs are also welcome to attend. It will cover CU System and Campus policies related to RTP review procedures and requirements as well as what should be included in the dossier and supplemental materials binders. Handouts will be provided. Following the presentation there will be an open questions and discussion session. Please attend if at all possible. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP and questions can be directed to John Wyckoff at john.wyckoff@ucdenver.edu).

This workshop by Rosemarie Garland-Thomson will provide a discussion of how gender and disability intersect in several fields of representation, including popular media, portraiture, classical art, advertising, self-presentation venues, the breast cancer movement, feature films, and art photography. It approaches disability as a human variation produced by interaction of impairment with social environment and considers the ways in which gender and disability inflect one another as part of this interaction. Discussion will consider several images/artworks that demonstrate some of the variety of ways in which gender and disability intersect in contemporary visual and material culture.

RSVP to Amy Vidali at amy.vidali@ucdenver.edu. Access is a goal of this event – please note any needs. Lunch will be provided; space is limited.

Faculty Expert: Ken Ortega, PhD, Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering

Seminar Description:

Oftentimes, PI’s write the introduction or overview of their grant as an after-thought right before they submit.  However, peer reviewers usually read this section first and may make a judgment on the entirety of the submission before they read it. Join us for the Compelling Case seminar to learn how to assess and write for your reviewers, and structure your grant overview to hook them at the get-go. Also, you’ll hear from a seasoned PI on how they have made their research compelling for sponsors.

The Office of Research Development & Education (ORDE) is happy to announce this upcoming faculty seminar, registration is on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to register soon!  We provide coffee and snacks at the seminar, as well as related books and resources.

For more information contact Naomi Nishi, Assistant Director for Educational Outreach at  303-315-5825 or  naomi.nishi@ucdenver.edu

Café Pédagogique is an informal meeting for conversation surrounding teaching and learning in science, math, and engineering.  Café Ped is based on the Café Scientifique, which in turn is based on the French Café Philosophique.  In the Café Ped, people come together in a friendly and relaxed environment and hear informal presentations on interesting educational topics, each led by someone who cares (loves, hates) deeply about it.  After each presentation there are 15-20 minutes or so of questions and answers and general discussion.  As such, there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to participate.  And all questions are welcomed.  For more information about Café Pedagogique or to be added to the listserve, please contact Doris Kimbrough and Bud Talbot at cafeped@ucdenver.edu.

Jonathan Wachtel, Sustainability Planner with the City of Lakewood, will present on the city’s new Sustainable Neighborhoods Program.   Lakewood’s Sustainable Neighborhoods Program gives residents the opportunity to become active partners in making Lakewood a vibrant and sustainable community through participation in the areas of: energy efficiency and renewable energy investments for residents and businesses; emission and carbon footprint reduction through alternative transportation; water conservation, stormwater management, stream/gulch protection, and fertilizer and pesticide reduction; stewardship and conservation of ecosystems and resources through recycling and waste reduction and the creation of sustainable landscapes; and enhancement of the social vitality of the neighborhood by encouraging community interaction, partnerships, and outreach programs focusing on health and wellness programs, youth, the local economy, and green purchasing. For more information about the event or our speaker, please visit the WISE website at http://www.wisecolorado.org/    Cost: FREE to members, $10 to nonmembers 

Lisa Bingham l.l.bingham@gmail.com