August 12, 2026

This message is distributed to Senate Faculty, Unit 18 Faculty, and Academic Department Chairs & Deans. (Click here to view description of distribution groups.)

The following is being sent on behalf of Madeleine Sorapure, Teaching Professor, Writing Program and Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education sorapure@ucsb.edu

Dear Faculty Colleagues,

We’re writing with the call for Winter 2027 Discovery Seminar proposals. 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 September 4th. The following and final proposal submission deadline will be Friday September 25th. Proposals received after the 25th will be considered if funding allows.

Discovery Seminars are one- or two-unit, P/NP, small group courses that facilitate student-faculty contact, promote valuable intellectual discourse in a seminar setting, introduce students to subjects that UCSB faculty care about, and explore how faculty study these subjects.

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. Emeriti faculty are also eligible to teach Discover Seminars.

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.

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. The seminars typically enroll 30 or 35 students. (Co-teaching instructors should both have an active academic appointment in the quarter the proposed Discovery Seminar is being offered.)

Faculty will receive research/professional development funding and course support 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

To propose a Seminar, please submit here: Discovery Proposal Form

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

If you have questions or would like to brainstorm possibilities for seminars, 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

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land upon which the University of California, Santa Barbara is located and pay my respect to the Chumash Elders past, present and future.