USC faculty are invited to apply for a 2025 USC iPodia Faculty Fellowship, sponsored by the Academic Programs of the Office of the Provost, and managed by the Viterbi iPodia Program.
iPodia aims to expand eLearning to iLearning, where “i” stands for interactive and inclusive peer-learning. Its “classrooms-without- borders” platform and “learning-through-diversity” pedagogy allow students to share vivid synchronous experiences, gain multicultural competencies, broaden world perspectives, and engage in meaningful collaboration to address significant global challenges. iPodia classes are taught in a state-of-the-art hybrid classroom built through a partnership with Microsoft on USC’s campus. During the past decade, the Viterbi School has offered many joint iPodia courses to enable USC students to study alongside classmates from universities in 16 countries across five continents as part of the global iPodia Alliance.
As the iPodia concept is “content agnostic,” the Provost Office established the USC iPodia Faculty Fellowship in 2023 to encourage more faculty from across the university and spectrum of disciplines to adapt it in their respective courses. USC iPodia Faculty Fellows have since taught an array of courses, with topics ranging from the universe through a cultural lens to comparative sustainability practices, digital marketing to global acting, alongside partners from Africa, Asia, Europe, and India.
The USC iPodia Faculty Fellowship program invites all faculty interested in delivering their courses in collaboration with international partner schools to apply. Courses should already be established in programs or departments, with subjects conducive to cross cultural input. Course subjects that explore any aspect of culture, media, literature, policies, social structures, health, legal, regulatory and/or ethical systems from a comparative perspective are especially encouraged, as are courses with a humanitarian focus that align with iPodia’s vision of “Learning Together for a Better World.”
Successful applicants will receive:
- Discretionary funds of $1,000
- The “USC iPodia Faculty Fellow” designation and inclusion in a global community of practice
- Support from the Viterbi iPodia Program office in
- pedagogical assistance in adapting courses
- solidifying collaboration with partner schools
- course delivery through the iPodia platform
Selection Criteria: All full-time instructional staff are eligible to apply. A maximum of five (5) USC iPodia Faculty Fellows will be selected for the 2025 USC iPodia Faculty Fellows based on the following criteria:
- Suitability of the proposed class subject and how the “learning-together-across-borders” concept will enhance the student experience and learning outcomes;
- Demonstrated interest in pedagogical innovation, including the adoption of new educational technologies, along with an appreciation for diversity, equity, and a commitment to inclusive practices;
- Potential to improve iPodia pedagogy, add value to the iPodia Faculty Fellows community of practice, and contribute to USC’s global learning impacts.
Application Process: Faculty who are interested in applying for a 2025 USC iPodia Faculty Fellowship should submit an application to the iPodia Program Office at ipodia@usc.edu by January 15, 2025. Applications should include:
- A syllabus of the existing course being proposed.
- A current CV.
- A statement of interest (maximum 500 words) addressing the criteria above and identifying 3-5 schools they will engage as potential partners for jointly delivering their class.
Selection will be made by a committee by February 15, 2025. Selected 2025 USC iPodia Faculty Fellows will be expected to teach their courses in Spring 2026.
For questions, please contact the Viterbi iPodia Program Office at ipodia@usc.edu.