When
Where
Inspired by the conversations and connections sparked at the UCATT Teaching Exchange Symposium, this virtual workshop series invites participants to revisit popular sessions, explore new perspectives, and continue exchanging ideas throughout the year.
Contemporary students encounter a steady stream of headlines describing social, political, environmental, and humanitarian crises, yet many struggle to translate awareness into informed action relevant to their professional development. This interactive session introduces a scaffolded, current-events–based assignment designed to help students from across disciplines move from passive consumption of news to critical analysis and professional or self-efficacy.
Participants in this session will explore a flexible teaching strategy that asks students to succinctly summarize a contemporary event and facilitate a discussion with their peers by posing questions that address the structural and social forces shaping the issue. Students engage in a discussion that includes identifying responses appropriate to their role as emerging professionals and community members. Originally implemented in a health equity course, the assignment could be successfully adopted for broad application in general education, humanities, social sciences, STEM, and professional programs.
The session models how instructors can integrate news literacy, systems thinking, and reflective practice without requiring specialized disciplinary expertise. It will emphasize how this type of class activity can be adapted using minimal resources to promote inclusive student participation.
Speakers
Elizabeth Hall Lipsy
Associate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs
College of Pharmacy
Associate Professor of Practice
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science
Amy Kennedy
Associate Clinical Professor
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science