CourseShare - Introduction

Established by the Big Ten Academic Alliance Liberal Arts and Sciences Deans in 2005, the CourseShare Program was created to provide a systematic method for sharing courses to enhance access to specialized graduate courses and low enrollment offerings. In 2009, the LAS Deans narrowed the program’s focus to less commonly taught languages (LTCL) courses that can be “technology facilitated” to eliminate barriers of time and distance. Faculty enjoy the CourseShare program for the chance to collaborate with respected peers at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities, expand course enrollments with talented students, employ new technologies, fill curricular gaps, preserve specialized courses, and strengthen student recruitment efforts. Students enjoy the opportunity to take specialized courses offered at other Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions from a distance, eliminating the need to temporarily relocate. 

The CourseShare framework operates under a set of foundational guidelines agreed to by the Deans, including that CourseShare courses should support LCTL’s, be synchronous, with no cost sharing by partnering universities and no additional fees charged to participating students. Participating students register for the approved shared language course at the same time and in the same manner as regular courses. Grades and credits are reported on the student’s home university transcript. 

Shared courses can only be initiated and approved by faculty and department contacts at the institutions. Students wanting to take an established course are encouraged to check with their advisors/departments to ensure that CourseShare courses will enhance their studies and apply toward graduation. 

More than 500 language courses have been offered via CourseShare since the beginning of the program.