This fall, Fairleigh Dickinson University began its second phase of distance-learning required courses. Last year, the University initiated the groundbreaking program — in which all undergraduate students take one distance-learning course per 32 credits — with the freshman Core course The Global Challenge. In September, new courses were introduced in each college for sophomores. The courses include:

• Environmental Biology, Introduction to Psychology, and Nobel Literature (Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences);

• Macroeconomics (Silberman College of Business Administration);

• Introduction to Computers, Career Women in Literature and Film, and Macroeconomics (New College of General and Continuing Studies); and

• The Life of the Mind (University College: Arts • Sciences • Professional Studies).

"This program is truly distinguishing our University and continues to garner acclaim from colleagues, the media and the public," says President J. Michael Adams.

Perhaps the most innovative part of the distance-learning initiative is the introduction of Global Virtual Faculty (GVF) — world-class scholars, professionals and experts from around the globe. Thus far, approximately 35 GVF members have partnered with on-site faculty in the teaching of online courses.

Among those participating are a former head homicide investigator for Scotland Yard, a senior journalist from India, a historian from the Caribbean, an Arabic language and literature instructor from Egypt and an economist from Australia.

Over the next four to five years, Fairleigh Dickinson will expand the online course offerings to 80 to 90 courses, some common to all students, some specific to a discipline. The program has been supported by a $3.9-million grant-in-aid from the state of New Jersey, a $100,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation and a $50,000 grant from the Pharmacia Foundation.

"We greatly appreciate this support and the endorsement of our efforts," said Michael Sperling, associate provost for interdisciplinary, distributed and global learning. "These grants help us to continue the momentum and provide more extensive online options."

The University is devoting significant resources to the program in such areas as instructional design, upgrading the digital infrastructure, course management software and technical support personnel. "By improving the University's digital infrastructure and enhancing our technological and pedagogical capabilities, these resources are simultaneously benefiting other areas as well as supporting our distance-learning requirement," Sperling adds.
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September
2002

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus for Professional and International Studies, Teaneck, N.J.

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Deadline dates for information for the remaining issues of Inside FDU on the Web this semester are
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Inside FDU is published by the Office of Communications and Marketing. Newsletter Staff: Carol Black, editor; Mary Ann Bautista, Angelo Carfagna, Howard Gilman, Joan Harvey, Gretchen Johnson, William Kennedy, Lillian Lukac, Rebecca Maxon, Art Petrosemolo, Eric Range.

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