Brilliance of Berkeley

What is Brilliance of Berkeley?

Brilliance of Berkeley is a course in the College of Letters & Science that is open to all students. The course is designed to engage students in a celebration of the exceptional instruction, research, and accomplishments of UC Berkeley’s diverse faculty, as well as connect them to campus resources and culture. Each week, students will hear two guest lectures from luminary faculty representing Berkeley’s wide range of colleges and schools. After each lecture, students will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speaker and to reflect on lessons learned. By getting exposure to a wide variety of Berkeley faculty and paths of study, students will gain a deepened sense of connectedness to the campus and learn more about available research and learning experiences. 

Goals of the course include inspiring students to: 

• Explore the extraordinary instructors, their learnings, and their teaching at UC Berkeley across a diverse range of topics  

• Foster community and belonging for UC Berkeley students - whether they are new to the university or in a final year of a graduate program

• Explore areas of academic interest and inspire their connection with faculty

• Develop a community of peers and mentors with common academic interests

• Learn more about research and learning opportunities on the UC Berkeley campus

• Identify what kinds of learning experiences, resources, and class structures might best support academic engagement at UC Berkeley and beyond, as lifelong learners