Teaching Circles are small groups of faculty that meet throughout the semester or academic year. The Teaching Circle Program at GSW exists to facilitate interdisciplinary contact between the faculty. A primary goal of the program is to promote faculty development by providing opportunities for discussion, seminars, and experiences that enhance classroom instruction.

Some circles organize around a common theme and keep to a set agenda. Others maintain a free-form discussion format. Some circles meet according to a set schedule; others meet at the convenience of the participants. At times, selected workshops and one-time events count as teaching circles when theses events correspond to the goals of the Teaching Circle Program.

A facilitator coordinates the activities of a specific circle, helping to promote the circle and arranging meeting times and locations. At the University level, the Campus Coordinator maintains contact between facilitators, recruits potential facilitators, promotes all of the circles, and maintains records associated with the Teaching Circle Program.

In the past, teaching circles have lead to new initiatives on campus such as the Religious Studies Certificate Program. Recent topics of interest include service learning, Writing Across the Curriculum, Women’s Studies, and critical thinking in the classroom. A list of current circles and related information is available here.

The university supports the program by providing incentives for faculty participation. Click here for details.

For additional information, contact Dr. Steven Galatas, Campus Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Political Science at (229) 931-2084 or sgalatas@canes.gsw.edu.