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Students in iGive present to their classmates

I-Series is now...Big Question

Beginning in Fall 2024, the I-Series courses will officially be rebranded as “Big Question” courses. The Gen Ed requirements aren’t changing.  Only the name is changing. 

  • Any courses previously taken as I-Series courses will count toward the Big Question requirement. 
  • Any previously approved I-Series courses will remain approved as Big Question courses without any action required. 
  • In the Schedule of Classes, the course code is still SCIS.

Don't panic! The goals and expectations of the courses are not changing. Only the name. 

Presenters from a gun violence prevention nonprofit speak to UMD students
Students in PLCY214 answer the Big Question, "How/why do I give?"

Why are we doing this rebranding? The simple answer is that no one knows what “I-Series” means. After conducting interviews with students, instructors and advisors, it became clear that there was no common understanding of what I-Series stood for and the name certainly did not convey any particular meaning to this set of courses. 

So...what now?

STUDENT Info Handout (PDF) ADVISOR Info Handout (PDF) FACULTY Info Handout (PDF)

Although only the name is changing, this is a good time to check in on your progress toward fulfilling the Gen-Ed requirements:

  • Have I already fulfilled my Big Questions requirements?
    • Check your unofficial transcript for at least 6 credits worth of courses marked SCIS.
  • If not, how do I find Big Question courses to take?
    • You can use Testudo's Schedule of Classes 
    • Take a fun quiz below

Don't hesitate to schedule time with your advisor if you have questions!

Additional Resources

  1. Update mentions of i-Series courses in your resources to Big Questions courses
    1. Websites
    2. Four-Year Plans
    3. Additional advising materials
  2. Emphasize to students that this is just a name change. They still need to take two classes/6 credits to fulfill Gen Ed requirements.
  3. Help us spread the word to your colleagues in other departments!

Additional Resources

Already teaching a Big Question course? Make sure you've done the following.

  1. Submit your Big Question course here!
  2. If your course doesn't have the Big Question in the first sentence of the course description, please email Doug Roberts, Associate Dean for General Education with the following:
    1. Your course's Schedule of Classes code
    2. Your course's title
    3. Your course's Big Question
  3. Spread the word to your fellow Big Questions colleagues!

Interested in exchanging ideas with other Big Questions faculty? Sign-up to attend a Big Questions Faculty Meeting by emailing Doug Roberts. 

Additional Resources

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