Welcome to Block 2! The pacing of our academic calendar affords a special type of educational intensity, one where we dig deep and explore widely. Our Block 1 Crown Center Workshop focused on “Inclusive Participation.” Faculty and staff gathered over lunch to consider different modes and expectations of participation, ultimately articulating how the “what,” “how,” and “why” of participation depend on particular classroom contexts, expectations, and outcomes. Such modes and norms also shift over time. 

As Dr. Nadia Guessous, Associate Professor and Chair of Feminist & Gender Studies, shared with us, reframing participation as “contributions” offers a stronger and more inclusive means of supporting student engagement. As a culmination of many years of intentional development and practice, she has graciously shared with us a recent syllabus that outlines examples of how such contributions unfold in her courses. You can find more information on this and other evidence-based practices in the “Workshop Recap” below.

Our classrooms thrive on participation and experiential learning. When our students work together in ways that value all experiences and perspectives, they can accomplish almost anything. And we can too, in our departments, offices, and programs across campus.

[This introduction was not organized, written, or edited with AI]

Sincerely,

Ryan Raul Bañagale 

Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Crown Center for Teaching

This workshop focused on specific strategies for fostering robust, meaningful, and inclusive student participation. (Real) Professor Ryan Bañagale facilitated the conversation using a Crown Center case study scenario that describes a tense moment in the classroom after the (fictional) Bañagale “cold calls” on a quiet student to answer a complex question. In the ensuing discussion, workshop participants explored how and why we might shift away from a one-size-fits-all notion of “participation” towards more flexible, transparent, and student-centered approaches that acknowledge diverse ways of thinking, processing, and engaging.

The group generated many ideas; here are just a few:

Do you have suggestions to add to this list? If so, email Jessica Hunter.

You can find the Crown Center Participation Scenario, a video of the workshop, and a complete summary of the discussion on the Crown Canvas page. Contact Jessica Hunter to gain access to the site.

Block 2 at the FAC features a modern take on Sherlock Holmes on the theatre’s stage, and a critical reframing of wellness in the museum’s galleries:

Contact Academic Engagement Manager Blair Huff to learn how your class can engage with these projects and more at the FAC.

The full schedule of workshops is available on the Crown website and the C&I website. 

Monday, Oct. 6, 12:15–1:30 p.m. Crown Center Workshop: “Faculty Advising at CC: Preregistration and Beyond” by Marion Hourdequin. Access workshop information and registration using this link.

Thursday, Oct. 9, noon-1:45 p.m. Creativity & Innovation Workshop: “Flexibility for the Unfamiliar” by Kris Stanec and Steve Ralph. Access workshop information and registration using this link.

The NEH Professorship offers Humanities in Partnership Grants (HIP) of up to $3,000 for the academic year 2025-26 to faculty projects that connect to NEH themes. Read more for descriptions of grant categories and application instructions. Applications are due by noon on the third Monday of each Block. The Block 2 deadline is Monday, Oct. 13.  Please contact Jessica Hunter with any questions.