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Sophomore/Junior Learning Communities

What is a Sophomore/Junior Learning Community?

Students in sophomore/junior learning communities enrolled in two classes, each limited to twenty students. These courses are from different disciplines but are intentionally linked so that connections can be emphasized. The professors deliberately structure their courses with common themes that enable the courses to speak to each other.

Why should I join a learning community?

Students enrolled in these learning communities will have mentoring and guidance from two faculty members working in close collaboration. Students will have opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to glimpse the interconnectedness of two distinct disciplines as well as the chance to focus intensively upon a set of common themes. They will have opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to socialize with their peers and make friends that can last their entire college career.

How does it work?

Students enroll in special sections (designated with LC in their section numbers) that are often scheduled at consecutive times to enable faculty members to visit each other’s classes and collaborate in other ways to foster student learning. Library faculty with expertise in each discipline will be available to assist students with their research.
The Fall 2013 learning communities are:

The Gauntlet Has Been Thrown Down: Poets vs. Philosophers

ENG 7 01LC (#1438) TuTh 9:30 AM-10:50 AM PROFESSOR LUTZ
PHI 8 01LC (#1741) TuTh 11:00 AM-12:20 PM PROFESSOR WELNAK

World Literature I and Classical Theatre History

ENG 7 02LC (#1132) MW 3:30 PM-4:50 PM PROFESSOR DIRCKS
THE 141 01LC  (#1257) MW 2:00 PM-3:20 PM TBD

Politics and the Media: How Public Information Is Shaped

CMA 9 01LC (#3170) MW 11:00 AM-12:20 PM PROFESSOR MARDENFELD
POL 1 01LC  (#1216) MW 9:30 AM-10:50 AM PROFESSOR KLEIN

Forensic Science & Detective Fiction: How Public Opinion Is Shaped Giving Us the C.S.I. Effect(ed) Culture

CHM 1 01LC (#2557) TuTh 11:00 AM-12:20 PM PROFESSOR HARTEN
CHM 1 1LLC (#2558) Th 2:00 PM- 4:50 PM PROFESSOR HARTEN
ENG 44 01LC (#6241) Tu 2:00 PM-4:50 PM PROFESSOR MILLER

Leaping off the Page: Exploring the Nexus of Visual and Written Images

CIN 11 01LC (#3230) MW 11:00 AM-12:20 PM PROFESSOR FRASER
ENG 1 01LC (#1068) MW 2:00 PM-3:20 PM  PROFESSOR ABBOTT

For more information about these learning communities, see your Academic Counselor or click here.

Will the courses in a learning community fulfill my degree requirements?

Yes. All of the sophomore/junior learning communities are comprised of at least one core liberal arts class, and some will fulfill the requirements for two core classes. Other learning communities fulfill a requirement in a particular major as well as a core requirement.