Exploring Global Questions

Freshman Seminars

During their first year of study, the Fellows will enroll in seminars focused on new and enduring Global Questions taught by UM faculty recognized for their scholarly work and teaching excellence. Freshman seminars are designed to be interdisciplinary courses that fulfill general education requirements while addressing pertinent topics in a small group setting.

Lectures and Discussions

Students fulfilling the Global Questions component of their GLI fellowship are exposed to new concepts, ideas and ways of thinking to aid in the formulation of what some of the most pressing issues facing our world today are. One avenue provided to open up these new ideas is the freshman lecture series. Fellows completing their Global Questions component need to attend at least two lectures and two accompanying discussion forums each semester. While lectures offer a look at some big picture issues, the discussion series is designed to offer a smaller, more in-depth way to reflect on the questions raised during the lectures. Below is the Fall 2012 schedule of Presidential and other approved lectures to meet GLI requirements. Options for discussion sessions will be announced to students prior to the lectures.

Global Theme and Topic

Within freshman year, Fellows will choose their Global Theme and begin creating the path they will follow throughout the course of the GLI program. In conjunction with the Global Theme, Fellows will also choose a topic to help hone in on real-world issues related to their Global Theme. This topic will guide each Fellow in the choice of General Education classes, a Beyond the Classroom experience during junior year and finally a culminating capstone project. Students will participate in online discussion forums centered on their Global Theme beginning in sophomore year. These forums will help Fellows identify others who have similar passions and begin the group formation process for their senior-year capstone projects.

Community

Students in the Global Questions phase of the program will also have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of fun events put together just for those participating in the GLI program. The year begins with a kick-off BBQ hosted by the GLI Living Learning Community and continues with everything from volunteer events, to ice cream socials, to a night of climbing at UM’s climbing wall. All events except for the BBQ have a limited capacity and Fellows will be allowed to RSVP two weeks prior to the event date. Events can be found in Facebook and in Moodle. Many of the social events are planned by the GLI student group, this group meets weekly to discuss the needs of a GLI fellow from a student perspective and to create opportunities that bring Fellows closer to engage with each other both intellectually and socially. All students are welcome and encouraged to participate in the student group.