February 25, 2026

This message is distributed to Senate Faculty and Unit 18 Faculty. (Click here to view description of distribution groups.)

The following is being sent on behalf of Madeleine Sorapure, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education.

Dear Faculty Colleagues,

I’m writing with the call for Fall 2026 Discovery Seminar proposals. For Fall we will have a couple of different deadlines to submit a proposal since incoming First-Year and Transfer students enroll during Summer Orientation. For both First-Year & Transfer seminars to have the best room priority placement in a General Assignment Room, and for the desired day and time, please submit proposals by Friday, March 13th.

For First-Year seminars, the next deadline is Monday, June 15th.

For Transfer seminars, the next deadline is Monday, July 20th. We will review proposals after these dates and schedule as we are able.

For Fall, we are particularly interested in scheduling Discovery Seminars for Transfer students, either individually taught (INT 186) or co-taught (INT 187).

Senate faculty and Unit 18 faculty are eligible to teach Discovery Seminars. They are taught above the faculty’s regular workload and compensated with research funds, as described below. Instructors must have an active academic appointment in the quarter the proposed seminar will be offered. All Discovery Seminars are graded P/NP.

We encourage proposals that:

  • introduce students to current areas of faculty interest and research;
  • enable students to learn about strategies for navigating UCSB disciplines and courses;
  • provide opportunities for students to become oriented to and study the physical surroundings of the campus; 
  • include intentional strategies for students to get to know other students to build networks.

In your proposal, you’ll select one of three Discovery Seminar types: 

  • Discovery Seminars for First-Year Students: INT 86AA-ZZ

These one-unit lower-division seminars meet for one hour each week. The seminars are limited to 20 students, or 11 students if a field trip is involved.

  • Discovery Seminars for Transfer Students: INT 186AA-ZZ

These one-unit upper-division seminars meet for one hour each week and are designed for transfer students who have established an interest in certain disciplines and subjects. The seminars are limited to 20 students, or 11 students if a field trip is involved.

  • Discovery+ Seminars: INT 87AA-ZZ or 187AA-ZZ

These two-unit seminars meet for two hours each week; they are lower-division courses for first-year students and upper-division courses for transfer students. Discovery+ Seminars are taught by two faculty members in the same discipline or in different disciplines, and they explore a theme or a subject from multiple perspectives.

Faculty will receive research/professional development and course support funding for teaching Discovery Seminars:                    

  • $1800 for one-unit Discovery Seminars for First-Year and Transfer Students
  • $2150 for two-unit Discovery+ Seminars with 30 students
  • $2650 for two-unit Discovery+ Seminars with 35 students  

Course support funds can be used to pay for expenses associated with the course, including copies, handouts, videos for class, transportation on a field trip, museum admission, etc. Any funds not spent on the course can be used as research funds.

To propose a Discovery Seminar, go to: Discovery Seminar's Proposal Form

You can find more information about the seminars here: Discovery Seminars, Information for Faculty 

If you have questions or would like to brainstorm possible topics for a seminar, I’d be happy to talk with you!

Best,
Madeleine

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Madeleine Sorapure
Teaching Professor, Writing Program
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education
UC Santa Barbara
pronouns: she/her/hers