The Seven Steps cover the required procedures for most departments; consult your individual department for their own procedures. (e.g. the Theater (TDPS) department requires a resume, enrollment in a Special Studies 99 section, and additional forms.)

1. Print out the Special Studies 98/198 course proposal form. Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to facilitate. The rest of the steps are mostly about getting this form filled out and turned in to the right people.
2. Read the Special Studies student checklist and know the university policies. In short, you can’t discriminate or charge course fees, etc. – but please just read them in full. It’s your responsibility to know these rules.
3. Find a faculty sponsor. A signature is required from a faculty member. He or she must be an instructor of record – a lecturer or a faculty member (GSIs don’t count, sorry) and is responsible for all the requirements on the faculty checklist. Your faculty sponsor can be a valuable source to you- they have already created and taught courses!
4. Have the department chair to sign the form. The department chair is responsible for making the final decision of whether or not your course is appropriate. Contact the staff in your department to understand the department procedures. Drop by the department office or contact the department staff. Don’t forget to include a copy of your course syllabus. (NOTE: DeCals under the College of Engineering should get the Department Chair’s signature and then also the Dean’s approval from the ESS office located at 230 Bechtel Engineering Centee). Hopefully your department doesn’t have an early deadline…
5. Meet with the course scheduler before the deadline at the end of the second week of instruction. Ask your department to find out who it is. Be flexible with your room request and have a number of room preferences in mind and also know what kind of classroom you’ll need – e.g. how big? do you need a projector? AirBears access? Individual desks, or a conference room layout?
6. Turn in copies of the completed Special Studies application form (with syllabus!) to (a) the Academic Senate at 320 Stephens Hall and (b) the dean of the College of your department -for Letters & Science, turn in the copies to Campbell Hall. Don’t forget to attach a copy of your syllabus! Some departments will make copies and send them out for you; others won’t. Don’t forget to include your answers to the questionnaire or else your application is incomplete!
7. Turn in a copy of the completed Special Studies application form (with syllabus!) to DeCal in 112 Hearst Gym, station 15 (directions are on our contact page) in order to get listed on the website. If no one’s in the office, just slip the papers under the door. We’ll e-mail you your account details so you can manage your course listing yourself.

Went through all the steps? Great, you’re well on your way! But now what?

• Fully develop your course – finalize your syllabus and your lesson plans.
• Get some tips and advice on facilitating.
• Apply for an EEF grant from the ASUC to help fund course materials / guest speakers.
• Read up on university policies so you know what you’re getting into.

Still got questions? Then contact us.