Call for Proposals
First Annual Conference on Decision Making Through Values-Based
Critical Thinking
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, Florida
May 23-24, 2014
The ability to make critically informed decisions in accordance with values is something prized as
a goal by those in higher education for themselves and, especially, for the students entrusted to
their care.
Saint Leo University is proud to announce a call for proposals for its First Annual Conference on
Decision Making through Values-Based Critical Thinking. The Conference seeks to promote
multi-disciplinary discussion regarding ways in which students are engaged through the college
curriculum to improve decision making.
The conference will have two themes: pedagogy and theory. Proposals should link to one of the
themes, as described below. Presentation proposals are welcome from any academic discipline.
Pedagogy
Proposals focused on pedagogy should link to curricular activities that engage students in
clarifying and extending personal values, learning and applying critical thinking skills, and using
this knowledge to improve decision making. Proposals may address topics such as:
 Teaching critical thinking and/or decision making to students, both traditional and adult
learners.
 Teaching values clarification or values exploration to students, both traditional and adult
learners
 Assessing critical thinking, values, and decision making
 Combining critical thinking and social justice in teaching
 Adapting critical thinking, values, and decision making instructional approaches for
various instructional platforms (traditional classroom, online, blended, etc.)
 Exploring how to make the classroom or internship more effective and engaging
through critical thinking
Theory
Proposals focused on theory should reflect upon the meaning of and frameworks supporting
critical thinking, values-based instruction, and decision making. Proposals may address topics
such as:
 Critical thinking and the ability to make better decisions
 The role of moral values in decision making
 Theory of assessment related to values and decision making
 Making decisions that matter
 Distinguishing between decisions and choices
 The role of creativity in critical thinking
 Problem solving and decision making
Proposals for both individual and group presentations are welcome. Proposals should be
submitted to qep@saintleo.edu by March 15, 2014. Presenters will be notified regarding the
status of submissions by March 31, 2014.
Proposals should include the following information:
COVER PAGE
1. Lead presenter name, e-mail address, institutional affiliation, job title, phone
number
2. Co-presenter names, e-mail addresses, institutional affiliations
3. Preferred day for presentation:
a. Friday, May 23, 2014
b. Saturday, May 24, 2014
4. Audio visual needs
TITLE: (15 words max)
THEME ADDRESSED:
__ Pedagogy
__ Theory
PRESENTATION TYPE:
____ Interactive Presentation (45-60 minutes)
____ Paper Presentation (20 minutes)
____ Roundtable Discussion (45-60 minutes)
CONTENT AND PURPOSE: The content and purpose of the proposal must be clear, specific and
detailed. To be considered for review, it must clearly align with the selected theme. (100 words)
ABSTRACT: The abstract should provide an overview of your presentation. It should include a
brief review of the literature that supports your content and purpose. For interactive
presentations, the abstract should explain how session participants will be actively engaged in
the presentation and what they will learn as a result of their participation. For paper
presentations, the abstract should explain the main ideas your paper will cover and how these
ideas will be shared with session attendees. For roundtable discussions, the abstract should
provide the questions or ideas that will be covered in the discussion. (750 words)
DESCRIPTION FOR THE PROGRAM: This description should be in final, publishable format and
free from spelling and grammar errors. It should give an accurate, clear and concise description
of what will be presented. This will published in the conference program (75 words)