Unique Courses: DeCal

We encourage you to explore DeCal courses as a way to learn more about topics connected to CalTeach while also branching out into new interests. DeCals offer a unique learning experience outside of traditional lecture courses and create opportunities to connect with peers across campus. If you are feeling inspired, you can even design and facilitate your own DeCal. 

Enroll in a DeCal

DeCal courses are offered during both the Fall and Spring semesters. While most courses appear on the official DeCal website, not all are listed there. The site allows you to filter courses by semester, meeting day, class time, and posting date. Course details can also be found in the Schedule of Classes. CalTeach-affiliated DeCals are listed under EDSTEM 98.

Before enrolling in a DeCal, keep the following points in mind:

  • Most Fall DeCal listings are finalized in mid-August, and most Spring listings are finalized in mid-January.

  • Each DeCal has its own enrollment process. Some courses provide access codes, while others require an application. Always review the course information carefully.

  • Student facilitators are the primary contacts for course-related questions. If their contact information is not listed, you can reach the DeCal team through the Google Form on the FAQ page.

  • DeCals are graded on a Pass or No Pass basis. Although they are informal in structure, they are official courses and count toward the minimum unit requirement for graduation.

  • Seating is limited, so it is best to look for courses early in the semester.

  • For questions about how a DeCal fits into your academic plan, including unit limits or major requirements, consult your major advisor.

Facilitate or create a CalTeach DeCal Course

Leading a DeCal course is a rewarding way to share your interests, collaborate with others, and engage deeply with a subject from the perspective of an instructor. The CalTeach department is able, and willing to serve as factuly sponsors for proposed DeCals. If you would like to lead a past EDSTEM DeCal that was previously taken as a student, please email Program Director, Elisa Stone to request a copy of the syallabus. More Information on the proposal process can be found below. 

When is the deadline?

Deadline to submit course proposal packets for DeCal courses to be offered in the upcoming Spring semester: October 1(or the following business day if the date falls on a weekend)

Deadline to submit course proposal packets for DeCal courses to be offered in the upcoming Fall semester: April 15 (or the following business day if the date falls on a weekend)

All Psychology DeCal course proposal packets must be submitted via email to emstone@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail), complete and signed by the faculty sponsor. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Prior to submitting the packet, all new DeCal courses must have a lead student facilitator meet with Elisa Stone, Program Director, to review the draft proposal packet at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline.

Training Requirement - All first-time student-facilitators, even for continuing DeCal courses, must undergo training prior to submitting the DeCal proposal packet.  The Student Learning Center’s Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training and Resources unit (UCFTR) offers a number of Facilitation & Collaborative Learning Strategies Workshops each semester to support students. For more information please refer to: https://slc.berkeley.edu/programs/undergraduate-course-facilitator-training-and-resources-ucftr/formats-service#training-workshops

What should be included in the proposal packet?

Submit a complete course proposal packet, including the following component in the order below:

1. Course Proposal Form, signed by your faculty sponsor. Please download the current version of the form here. Previous versions of this form will not be accepted. The instructions allow that facilitators may address their responses to the four questions in the form either in the syllabus or on a separate sheet of paper. The Science and Math Education minor department requires that the responses be incorporated into the syllabus. (You will find in the sample syllabus below that a good syllabus should already include the information covered by these questions.)

2. Unit Value Worksheet. This worksheet is attached in the Course Proposal Form packet template.

3. Fully developed syllabus. A sample of what to include in your syllabus is available on the teaching.berkeley.edu website.

4. Faculty Sponsor Letter of Support. Please review the requirements for this letter on the Academic Senate website.

All of the listed components are required. Incomplete proposals will be automatically rejected.

Additional Forms Not Included the Proposal Packet

1. CalTeach DeCal Schedule Request Form. Facilitators will receive a request to complete this form by email from the Department Scheduler. The form will specify scheduling and enrollment requirements and any related restrictions. Note that you may receive this request before the course is officially approved by the Academic Senate, but scheduling of the classes will begin only after approval is granted. Regardless, you must complete the online form by the stated deadline.

2. Affiliate Appointment Request Form. Each facilitator will receive a DocuSign form by email from the UMA. Please complete it as soon as you can.

Process of Course Approval, Class Scheduling, and Enrollment Management

1. Submit the complete course proposal packet to the designated Undergraduate Major Advisor (UMA) for review. The UMA will request revisions via email if needed. If no revisions are needed, the UMA will submit proposals to the Department Chair for review and signature.

2. The UMA will submit all departmentally-approved course proposal packets to the Academic Senate, Committee on Courses of Instruction for official approval. COCI typically completes review and approval by the first day of the semester. If additional revisions are needed, student facilitators will hear from the COCI Analyst directly and are required to cc' the UMA on all replies. If facilitators do not hear from COCI by the first day of the semester, the course is approved and will proceed to scheduling.

3. Facilitators will receive class schedule and room assignment from the Department Scheduler. You must check the Schedule of Classes to confirm the assignment.

4. Starting from when you submit the DocuSign Affiliate Appointment Request Form, it takes a minimum of 2 weeks for your appointment to become active. All facilitators need an active affiliate appointment in order to be added to the class as an "instructor" and create a bCourses site. If you need a copy of the class roster in the meantime, contact your faculty sponsor to request it. You may also ask your faculty sponsor to create the course site and give you access.

5. The UMA will send a copy of the officially approved course proposal packet to the facilitators. When you receive the approved Course Proposal Packet, submit to the DeCal website to publish and advertise your course.

6. When classes begin, manage enrollment in a timely manner and observe all add/ drop deadlines. You may not promise adding or dropping students after the add with a fee/ drop with a fee deadline.

Policies & Requirements

  • Offerings of EDSTEM DeCal Courses are limited to a maximum 2 facilitators per section and 2 sections per class.
  • DeCal class enrollment are limited to 50 or less seats. All DeCal classes must start at 4pm or later.
  • Facilitators must satisfy all facilitation requirements and be listed in the Course Proposal Form. "Unofficial facilitators" are not allowed.
  • Facilitators may not enroll in the DeCal course they facilitate to receive credit. 
  • While we recognize that some DeCal courses may have a volunteer (e.g. a guest speaker), volunteers should not take on duties which are comparable to those of a facilitator's. Facilitators have a responsibility to clearly define the limited scope of a volunteer's involvement and communicate with volunteers that the latter will not receive units.
  • In principle, facilitators should not be changed once submitted to COCI. In the event that someone must be replaced, the absolute deadline is the last day before the start of the semester. Once classes start, a facilitator may drop but no new ones can be added. Any new facilitators to be added to a course must have already completed a UCFTR training in a prior term.