Forum on Teaching in the Core

The Core is a defining feature of undergraduate education in the College and can be one of the more rewarding teaching experiences at UChicago. Every September, the CCTL hosts the Forum on Teaching in the Core, a venue for new and experienced faculty and instructors to discuss the aims and distinctive pedagogical issues that characterize Core teaching. The event is open to everyone and is aimed at those teaching in the Humanities and Social Sciences Collegiate Divisions, including faculty, instructional professors, lecturers, Harper-Schmidt Fellows, Teaching Fellows, and graduate student instructors.

2026 Forum on Teaching in the Core

Register here

Thursday, September 17 | 9:00AM – 12:30PM | JRL 122

8:30am	Check-in opens Coffee, tea, and pastries available
9:00am	What is the Core? What are its aims? Jenny Trinitapoli, Professor of Sociology and Master of the Social Sciences Collegiate Division Gabriel Lear, Arthur and Joann Rasmussen Professor in Western Civilization in Philosophy and in the Committee on Social Thought Abigail Reardon, Executive Director of the Chicago Center for Writing & Senior Instructional Professor in the College Moderator: Jennifer Spruill, Associate Senior Instructional Professor & Co-Chair of Power, Identity, Resistance
10:15am	Break
10:30am	How do we engage students in the Core? Julia Brown, Collegiate Assistant Professor, Classics of Social and Political Thought Nancy Martin, Associate Instructional Professor, Chicago Center for Writing and Reading Cultures Lidia Wojtczak, Instructional Professor, South Asian Languages and Civilizations Moderator: Valerie Levan, Associate Senior Instructional Professor & Core Teaching Coordinator, Arts & Humanities Collegiate Division
11:30am	How do we assess learning in the Core? Daragh Grant, Associate Senior Instructional Professor & Co-Chair, Classics of Social and Political Thought Stephen Haswell Todd, Associate Instructional Professor, Greece and Rome Lisa Landoe Hedrick, Assistant Instructional Professor, Self, Culture, and Society Moderator: Joe Lampert, Executive Director of the Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning & Associate Senior Instructional Professor in the College
12:30pm	Conclude