outdoor students

Faculty Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Application/Approval Process
Faculty have idea for 360°, gather team of professors to collaborate.

  • Meet with Provost and the 360° Coordinator to discuss long-range scheduling, budget projections, etc.
  • Draft 360 Proposal for submission to Provost and any New Course Proposals for submission to 360° Steering Committee.
  • Meet with 360 Steering Committee for brainstorming and feedback on proposal drafts.
  • Draft budget (with help from 360° Coordinator).
  • Submit cluster proposal and budget draft to 360 Coordinator by Nov. 15 in the academic year prior to cluster's intended offering date. 
  • Submit language for advertisement of course cluster online to 360° Coordinator.
  • Meet with 360° Coordinator to plan next steps.

Recruitment Process
Following approval from Provost (semester before cluster)

  • Draft student application with assistance from 360° Coordinator.
  • Hold information session at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï (and other campuses, if interested) at least 2-3 weeks prior to beginning of preregistration
  • Select student participants (see Application Procedures for detailed timeline).
  • Meet with selected students.
  • Consider/strategize ways to reflect 360° experience back to BMC community.

Cluster Execution Process

  • Work with 360° Coordinator to finalize all field trip details.
  • Execute media strategy.
  • Administer 360° cluster student evaluations (in addition to individual course evaluations).
  • Reach out to 360° Coordinator for assistance.

Post-Cluster Process

  • Meet with 360° Coordinator to debrief on cluster experience.
  • Complete post-cluster evaluation materials.

360°s take a variety of forms, but are typically made up of three courses, each taught by a different faculty member. Additional structures can be seen in the 360° archives.  Each cluster must have a clearly defined central theme or question, addressed from different disciplinary perspectives, represented by each course.  A cohort of 15 or so students are selected to participate in the cluster during pre-registration prior to the semester of the 360°.  Some form of experiential learning opportunity is integrated into the cluster.  Faculty and students spend time outside of class reflecting on the intersections between the courses, and at the end of the cluster, organize an opportunity to share their learning with the wider community.

The application can be requested from the 360° Program Coordinator. Meetings with the Provost, the 360° Steering Committee, and the 360° Coordinator are encouraged. A general development outline is also available for reference.

A budget is developed by the faculty with help from the 360° Coordinator, then submitted to and approved by the Provost.

Upcoming 360°s are advertised in the Apply section of the 360 website. Faculty are also encouraged to use department info sessions and major reps to share new 360°s. Posters and emails are distributed by the 360° Coordinator prior to the application period for all 360°s.

Students apply to 360°s using a Wufoo form designed by faculty and administered by the 360° Coordinator.

To be considered 360° participants, students must enroll in all courses required by the cluster. At faculty discretion, in consultation with the 360° Steering Committee, individual courses can be open to non-360° students.

Students are notified no later than the Monday of preregistration in the semester prior to the 360°. See the application procedures for further details.

Working in coordination with your Academic Support Person and the 360° Coordinator, please consult the Guest Policy as outlined on the Provost’s website.

The College has gathered a wide range of resources to help you prepare to lead field study trips, and the 360° Program Coordinator will work with you to design the most effective field experience for your particular cluster. The Program will host a workshop for all faculty trip leaders in the summer before your cluster is taught.  We are also happy to connect you to past 360° faculty who are willing to share their experiences and advice.

The Provost’s Office provides a $3,000 course development stipend for each faculty member the summer prior to their 360° cluster.

The Teaching and Learning Initiative student consultants are available to work with faculty members during the planning, teaching, and/or assessment phases of a 360° cluster. See this document for further information.

Faculty earn a 1.5 teaching credit in the semester of the 360°.

Sarah Theobald, the 360° Coordinator, is a good place to start. She may be reached via phone at: 610-526-5509, or via email at: stheobald@brynmawr.edu.

Teach a 360°