Join us for an engaging faculty reading groups (led by Cati Hebert-Annis and Jay VanderVeen) where we will explore A Pedagogy of Kindness by Cate Denial as part of UCET’s theme of Care, Kindness, and Creativity. Part manifesto, part teaching memoir, part how-to guide, A Pedagogy of Kindness urges higher education to get aggressive about instituting kindness, which Denial distinguishes from niceness. She presents a transformative vision for teaching that emphasizes justice, trust, and belief in people.

Physical copies of the book are available for the first 4 registrants. This book is also available through the library as an ebook.

One book group already has scheduled meetings – these sessions will be held in person in the UCET classroom on Feb. 4, Mar. 4, and Apr. 8 (all Tuesdays) from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.

Can’t make these dates? A second offering of this book group will be scheduling meetings based on participant availability.

Register by January 30.

Hello Faculty!

Are you planning to show films in your spring 2025 classes? Would you prefer a digital version to show in class or for students to watch on their own?

Please let us know as soon as possible which films you need for the spring semester. This will allow us to initiate the lease and send you the links for Canvas before January 13, 2025.

Important Note: Digital (streamed) films are typically leased for one year from the date of request. Films requested last year may have expired or will expire soon.

If you have any questions or need additional resources for your courses, please contact me or your Subject Librarian.

Thank you!

Susan E. Thomas

Dean of Library Services

Indiana University South Bend

574-520-5500

suethoma@iu.edu

AS YOU PREP YOUR SPRING 2025 CLASSES, PLEASE ASK YOURSELF:

• Am I ready for a QUICK AND EASY way to help students practice the skills they need to talk across difference in our politically polarized world? 
• Am I willing to invest 10-15 minutes to set up a meaningful experience for my students?

*** SIGN YOUR CLASS UP to join the Unify Challenge College Bowl. ***

Optional, required, and extra credit options are available, with participation tracked by Unify America & shared on your instructor dashboard. The Unify Challenge is a one-hour, face-to-face video conversation between two students who attend different schools and may vote differently, live indifferent geographies, or have different life experiences. Students cover a wide array of issues to share experiences and discover common ground.

Students pick a time and date that works for them. Unify America handles everything, including preparing students for the conversation, running the conversation, and tracking participation (in case you want to offer extra credit or enrichment points). They do not record or share students’ conversation or answers to the questions.

The spring 2025 Unify College Bowl is February 25 – March 12. Sessions will be offered at various times on February 25, 26, & 27 and March 4, 5, 6, & 12, 2025

Students pick a date and time that works best for them. You can learn more at the Unify America website here: https://www.unifyamerica.org/college-bowl

The total experience for students takes ONE HOUR though students often opt to keep chatting after the hour is up. Their student feedback and assessment data is impressive! Students provide survey (and optional video) feedback immediately after the experience; they really enjoy participating! Hear IUSB Senior Liz Howard discuss her experience here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xWAkPP6dJQ

From submitting your registration to the start of the College Bowl, this is a turn-key experience for faculty. Most professors spend just 10-15 minutes reviewing and sharing materials with students, and the Unify America team takes care of the rest (including providing faculty with a participation report for their students).

IF YOU PREFER, THE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY PROJECT WILL TRACK YOUR STUDENTS’ PARTICIPATION AND REPORT BACK TO YOU, LETTING YOU KNOW WHO PARTIPATED, WHEN THEY PARTICIPATED, & WHETHER THEY COMPLETED THE EXPERIENCE. CONTACT DR. BENNION FOR THE SIGN-UP URL & MESSAGING TO INCLUDE IN YOUR SYLLABUS & CANVAS ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Please let Dr. Bennion know if you plan to take advantage of this opportunity as a required, extra credit, or optional part of your course. The American Democracy Project will create a link where students campus-wide can sign up to participate but Unify America has found the BEST participation rates when students participate as a required or extra credit class assignment.

Our students are the best hope our we have to break through the deep polarization that is crippling our nation. Let’s give them the tools they need to talk across difference and find win-win solutions that provide a brighter future for us all.

CONTACTS:

-Elizabeth Bennion, Director, American Democracy Project at IU South Bend, ebennion@iu.edu

-Carol Vederman, Unify America, carol.vederman@unifyamerica.org