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Larry MacIntyre
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Last modified: Monday, October 25, 2010

A new Big Ten Program will showcase excellence in teaching at IU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 25, 2010

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University's student-athletes appear every day on Big Ten Network television programs.

But soon, students who are not athletes will also be seen on nationally televised programs on the Big Ten Network. And they will be doing what they do every day -- attending classes.

IU is commencing work on a new television series that will give audiences an inside look at what IU students experience on a daily basis -- enlightening and inspiring lecture classes delivered by IU's most outstanding faculty members.

"Our commitment to excellence is every bit as strong in the classroom as it is on the playing fields," said David Zaret, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "These programs will enable us to show what makes IU special for so many of its students -- the energy and excitement that dedicated faculty members bring to their lectures."

Two special lectures will be videotaped on Friday, Nov. 19, for the first two "Beyond the Syllabus" shows to be aired on the Big Ten Network next spring.

The lectures in Room 251 of the Radio-Television Building are open to any IU Bloomington student on a first-come, first-served basis. Students can reserve a seat at www.surveymonkey.com/s/beyondthesyllabus.

Because the intent of the shows is to capture the give-and-take between students and faculty, everyone attending the lecture will probably be seen on television as they listen and react to the lecture, and ask questions.

"We will use multiple cameras and HD format to record the lectures, allowing us to give viewers a much richer experience," said Walter Gantz, chair of the Department of Telecommunications, whose department is producing the programs.

At 1:30 p.m., psychological and brain sciences Professor Olaf Sporns will take students on a journey through the human brain, describing the many recent discoveries about how the brain works.

At 4 p.m., Richard DiMarchi, professor of chemistry, will give an overview of where the life sciences are headed in the 21st century and how major new discoveries will affect students over the course of their lifetimes.

Space is limited for each presentation. Students interested in attending should make their reservations early.