The Crown Center’s Block 3 workshop, “Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Teaching,” has me reflecting on how interdisciplinarity has shaped my time at CC—first as a student, now as an employee. Early on, I realized that courses outside my art history major, psychology, music, history, feminist and gender studies, and sociology each offered new ways to understand how people create and interpret art.

Since returning to CC, I’ve been fortunate to support this kind of cross-disciplinary exploration in every role I’ve held. For example, in Block 3, I worked with NEH Innovator in Residence Ben Gould to connect his work in the FAC exhibition Open Hearted to classes in History, Sociology, Art, and Dance. Linking ideas across disciplines still feels thrilling—a reminder that we’re all engaged in exploring what it means to live and learn together, even as blending distinct methods while maintaining rigor is no small task.

In the workshop, three faculty teams shared the rewards and challenges of co-teaching their interdisciplinary courses: Art of Insurgency (John Gould and Shawn Womack), Strange Fractals: Empowerment through Fractal Geometry (Cory Scott and Jameel Paulin), and Embodied Politics (Elizabeth Coggins and Patrizia Hermijard). Their presentations offered concrete tips and raised thoughtful questions about how to help students connect disciplines, balance skill-building, and use experiences—such as field trips, FAC visits, or creative exercises—to synthesize learning.

If you missed the session, a video and transcript are available on Crown’s Canvas page. Please email if you don’t already have access to this resource. And if you are planning (or even dreaming about) a collaborative, interdisciplinary course, let us know how Crown can support you. 

Sincerely, 

Jessica Hunter, Associate Director 

Monday, December 1, noon-3 p.m. MT, Virtual Event: IBILTA25 Conference Snapshot: Transforming Education

Curious about what other institutions in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the US are doing with block teaching formats? The International Block and Intensive Learning and Teaching Association (IBILTA) is hosting a presentation of selected talks from their international conference this past summer. The free online event includes a keynote from John Weldon, Associate Professor in the First Year College at Victoria University. Register for this event.

December 10, 1-2:30 p.m. Connect with the FAC in AY26-27

Join us to learn more about how the FAC’s Museum, Theatre Company, and Bemis School of Art can support your classes next year. Please register here.

Friday, Jan 16, 2026, 9:30 a.m.–noon Creativity & Innovation Workshop: “Possibility Books for New Users” by Kris Stanec.

Possibility Books is a brief daily pedagogy for classes across disciplines that can be adapted to align with any course. Faculty using Possibility Books will receive all the materials needed from C&I. Workshop information and registration.

This event addresses the influence of artificial intelligence on the environment, human labor, and marginalized communities from a global perspective.

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m., Humans in the Loop Film Screening and Panel Discussion, Cornerstone Screening Room

Thursday, Nov. 20, 9:30 a.m., Virtual Q&A and Reception with Filmmaker Aranya Sahay, Cornerstone Screening Room

Visit “Humans of AI” for more information.

Wednesday, Nov. 19, noon–1:30 p.m., Collaborative for Community Education  Tutt Library Data Viz Wall 

Meet with local community non-profits for long-term engagement opportunities. Open to faculty, staff, and students. Visit Community Partner Fair for more information.

In Spring semester 2026, Health and Wellness, Arts and Crafts at CC, C&I, and the NEH Professorship are collaborating with the Colorado Resiliency Arts Lab (CORAL) to run a study on how arts experiences create community and combat the effects of stress. All faculty and staff are invited to participate. No prior arts experience is necessary.  Participants may choose one of three modalities:  

For more information about the programs: CORAL, Arts and Crafts. Look for more details and registration links in the coming weeks.

Students can design a grassroots summer project—anywhere in the world—to promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties. This application is the final step for a Summer 2026 project. Applications are due Monday, Dec. 1, at midnight. More information here.

Connect to a community partner to co-create community-engaged classroom projects for a summer 2026 course through the PEAK Project. Submit an Educator Interest Form to apply.

Students can now take live, online, and on-demand test prep for free through Kaplan for graduate school admissions exams: GRE, GMAT, MCAT, DAT, OAT, & LSAT. Information and registration here.

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