Donna Gessell; Tanya Bennett Instructors from all disciplines grapple with the task of designing a course that both develops students cognitively and achieves its outcomes. This presentation workshop explores thematic course design as a means to accomplishing both. Using Backward Design—first deciding outcomes, next designing assessment materials, and then devising a variety of appropriate learning activities—we will illustrate with courses we have designed around Big Questions on the theme of global awareness. Participants will then be invited to design their own course outcomes, assessments, and learning activities, with opportunities for thinking, presenting, discussing, and questioning.
