About DeCal
The DeCal Program (or just DeCal) is an aggregate of student-run courses at the University of California, Berkeley — here, students create and facilitate their own classes on a variety of subjects, many of which are not addressed in the traditional curriculum.
Offering a DeCal course through the History Department
Course Number and Units
Deadlines
All DeCal courses must have approval several weeks before the end of the previous semester. If you wish to offer a History DeCal class, all signed paperwork must be submitted via email to the undergraduate advisor (history-undergradadvisor@berkeley.edu), by the following deadlines:
Proposed Fall DeCal courses: The Friday of the twelfth week of classes in April.
Proposed Spring DeCal courses: The Friday of the eighth week of classes in October.
Limitations
The Department will allow only 10 DeCal courses per semester, and they will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Individual faculty members may only sponsor one DeCal course per semester. Student facilitators offering a DeCal through the History Department must be a declared history major.
Getting Started
Do your research. Go to DeCal.org and read everything there is to know about establishing and teaching a DeCal course. For further information and hands-on training, see the Student Learning Center's resources for course facilitators.
Find a faculty sponsor. Only a history professor may sponsor a history decal.
Develop your course syllabus. A list of items that must be included in your syllabus is outlined on the Special Studies Student Checklist.
Procedures
Students planning to offer a DeCal History 98 course must provide the following for approval:
- Completed COCI Special Studies Course Proposal Form. Students must download and complete this form and obtain the faculty sponsor's signature before submitting it to the undergraduate advisor, who will then obtain the Chair's signature;
- Syllabus of the proposed course
- DeCal Applicant Info Sheet-one form is required for each course facilitator
- DeCal Applicant Checklist
- HR Form — please email the undergraduate advisor at history-undergradadvisor@berkeley.edu for a copy.
All documentation must be submitted to the undergraduate advisor via email at history-undergradadvisor@berkeley.edu by the posted due date. As soon as these courses have been approved, the students who have set them up must reach out to David Harris at history-scheduling@berkeley.edu for information regarding room scheduling and course control numbers.