US & Global Culture Courses

For Fall 2024, please select the assignment that best meets the rubrics and assignment parameters. You will have the opportunity to modify the signature assignment in future semesters to better meet the goals learning outcomes, assignment parameters, and rubric measures.

The Center for Teaching Excellence can assist you in identifying the most appropriate assignment for submission.

Note: The signature assignment can be any assignment given throughout the semester.

In Fall 2024, the expectation is each US and Global Culture course will submit the assignment that best aligns with the rubric and assignment parameters provided.

Moving forward (after Fall 2024), faculty and instructors who teach multiple sections of the same course should discuss their signature assignment and the rubric measures being used with each other. While the signature assignment can vary between sections based on the instructor teaching style and expertise, the instructors should collaborate to ensure expectations are similar for students across sections, the KU Core 34 learning outcomes are met, and the assignment meets the rubric parameters.  

For example, a general assignment structure -- say, a 3-4 page paper with a strong thesis statement and a bibliography -- could be adopted across course sections, with each instructor using that structure to address a different topic or specialization with their students. By contrast, considerably broader variation -- like students writing a 5-paragraph essay in one course section while students in another section write a 15-page paper -- would not meet this expectation of consistency.

It is important to note that, aside from this one signature assignment requirement, other areas of the course may vary across individual instructors at the department's discretion.

Both assessment and recertification materials are due Friday, October 18, 2024.

For assessment...Signature assignment artifacts, assignment prompts, and rubric measures should be submitted for each section offered including Honors sections. Individual faculty can make the submission or one person designated by the course/department.

For recertification (US Culture goal only)...The Course Coordinator or designee should complete the recertification form. Please answer the questions on behalf of the entire course and submit a syllabus or syllabi that represent the course content across sections.

**US and Global Culture courses taught in Fall 2024 only.

Before completing the Canvas quiz/module gather and organize the following information:

1. Save all student artifacts for this semester's signature assignments in a ZIP file.
2. Name the file the course subject, number, and KU Core 34 identification (GLBCCore34 or USCCore34). For example, the HIST 177 filed would be saved as HIST177_GLBCCore34. HIST 176 would be saved as HIST176_USC176.
   
   If you need assistance downloading assignment submissions from Canvas, please use this guide.
3. Identify which rubric measures (e.g. knowledge, diversity of communities and cultures) your assignment meets.
4. Copy your signature assignment prompt and/or instructions. You will paste these into a Canvas quiz field.
5. Complete the quiz in Canvas which includes uploading your signature assignments.

All US Culture courses, regardless of when they will be taught, should complete the recertification process. 

• Review the recertification questions and be prepared to answer them.
• Prepare a copy of your syllabus to upload. (optional for US Culture courses not taught in Fall 2024)
• Complete the recertification form.