Learning Communities integrate two or more popular courses within fields of interest using an interesting theme, like the ones below. Having the same classmates in both courses makes it easier to make connections and form meaningful relationships. Connecting two of your subjects through common readings, assignments and activities increases the relevance of material in both courses. Learning about real-world issues that matter beyond the classroom and applying what you learn makes courses more meaningful, which improves academic success. Getting to know, and be known by, your professors makes college classes more enjoyable.
To enroll, simply register for the specific courses and sections in the learning community. The courses will transfer and appear on your transcript just as they would if you took them separately.
Below you will find descriptions of Learning Communities that may be offered soon.
This learning community capitalizes on the synergies between drones and restoration. Introduction to Drone Technology (UAS-111) teaches students the applications of remote sensing drones, while also providing instruction in the hands-on and technical skills needed for their operation (including obtaining a federal recreational flight license). Restoration Ecology (BIO-215) exposes students to foundational ecological science, then examines real-world applications of environmental restoration techniques in a case study format. The synergies between these two courses are plentiful, and can be summarized by the theme "Drones and the Environment - Mapping the Path Toward Restoration." Essentially, drones provide a powerful tool with which to implement all phases of ecological restoration.
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG-101/ENG-101A.
Courses:
Fulfills general education requirements: technology and biological and physical sciences
Explore a variety of psychological concepts and use that knowledge to enhance our study of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”Discussion topics will include, but not be limited to, the definition of monstrosity, ethics and morality, language acquisition and cognitive development, trauma, freewill versus fate, the nature of evil, persecution and rejection and a wide range of psychological disorders.
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101.
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: ENG-101 (English Composition) and PSY (Social Sciences)
This learning community will focus on how technology is used to augment business globally. Students will examine best practices and develop skills using various forms of technology for research, analysis and data processing.
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101/ENG 101A.
Courses:
Fulfills the technology general education requirement: CTA-100
This learning community examines how visual, performing and literary arts have been used for nation building, reform and civil disobedience. We examine how the arts reflect and undermine the political values of the individuals and social groups that produced them. Case studies include: the use of neoclassical architecture to reinforce democratic ideals; Indigenous cartography; how documentary photography circulated to protest unjust labor practices and racial discrimination; the popularity of craft knowledge as a feminist political strategy; and the debates surrounding public monuments during the Black Lives Matter movement.
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101/ENG 101A.
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: HUM 101 (Arts & Humanities) and HIS-212 (Arts and Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences)
Imagine a world where there are neither distinctions in socioeconomic class nor social hierarchies or privileges based on religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or nationality. Imagine a society where there is no hunger, no greed and no need for material possessions, and people are free to pursue creative passions and enjoy work. Is this a possibility in the capitalist society that we live in? Can such a utopia be achieved best by gradual reform or a sudden revolution? Critically analyze historical texts and contemporary issues, and explore how various systems of stratification – such as class, race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality – intersect with religion and our political and economic systems.
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101/ENG 101A
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: ENG-101 (English Composition) and SOC-111 (Social & Behavioral Sciences, Diversity)
How should one deal with conflict? Explore methods from both the Western and Eastern traditions that martial artists use to face conflict and find balance. How does a martial artist prevent conflict? How does the martial artist use internal and external weapons to end conflict? How does the martial artist show compassion in a conflict? These are some of the fascinating questions we will explore through the works of some of the greatest thinkers and philosophers in history.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG 101/ENG 101A with a C grade or better
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: PHL-111 (Arts and Humanities) and ENG-102 (English Composition)
Rites (and writing) surrounding death have allowed us space to grieve and to celebrate, to mourn and to move on. Build on the skills in writing and research you learned in English 101, but add your own voice, focusing on human encounters with death and memorializing, while establishing your skills as a speaker and presenter. Study social traditions and individual inventions for coping, texts and tributes, and local sites of interest while becoming a stronger orator.
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101/101A.
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: ENG-102 (English Composition) and COM-111 (Arts and Humanities)
How do your life experiences influence your perceptions of others? Do you naturally see the similarities, or do you notice the differences? Explore how symbolic interactions relate to blind spotting specific cultures and/or groups. Identify a group to represent with a call of action to fuel a change in their community. Gain a heightened sense of cultural awareness, interpersonal skills and small group dynamics. Crank up your communications skills with table topics, group panels, talk shows and individual speeches.
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: COM-111 (Arts and Humanities) and SOC-111 (Social Science and Diversity)
Did you know your mindset about health influences your behavior? Your food choices will determine how you feel today, tomorrow and in the future. Explore your health and enhance your wellness while learning how to influence others to do the same. Students will learn about the dimensions of wellness and research current health topics to persuade an audience to make healthy lifestyle changes! Learn how to take care of yourself and use your voice to impact global wellness. This course is a step towards delivering effective messages, setting specific goals to gain self-confidence and creating a healthier you.
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: COM-111 (Arts and Humanities) and HEA-14 (Wellness)
Define and question what “home” means and investigate “place-making.” We will explore how a sense of place functions for individuals as well as what “place” means to particular groups of people. Through literature and using anthropological concepts and theories, we will examine connections to physical landscapes, social structures and emerging communities. Students will conduct fieldwork where they will map their own relationship to home and place before interviewing others to locate and learn about where they find belonging and attachment. View the Truxal Library special topic guide for this learning community.
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101.
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: ENG-101 (English Composition) and ANT-121 (Social & Behavioral Sciences)
Do Black lives matter? Am I Mexican enough? Are you a terrorist? Why do you keep calling me Jackie Chan? Where are you from? You’re mixed? Why are you so angry? Why should I feel guilty? Can we please stop talking about this? In 1900, W.E.B. DuBois asserted that “the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line.” Where do we stand today? Has anything changed? Explore race, ethnicity and other intersecting social identities such as class, gender and sexual orientation through a sociological lens by analyzing texts and engaging in a hands-on campuswide research activity about people’s thoughts, experiences, questions, frustrations and hopes about race and identity.
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG-101
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: ENG-101 (English Composition) and SOC-111 (Social Sciences and Diversity)
Focus on “Hamilton: An American Musical” (2015) composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Explore the musical’s current and relevant themes as we examine communication, English, history and the performing arts. The musical will serve as a springboard to explore texts used to create the play: a biography of Alexander Hamilton, historian Joanne Freeman’s scholarship on duels and historical documents penned during the era. The reading, researching and writing completed in the ENG-102 course will work as a foundation for speeches in COM-111.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG-101/ENG 101A or ENG-101H with a grade of C or better.
Courses:
Fulfills General Education Requirements: ENG-102 (English Composition) and COM-111 (Arts and Humanities)
"Having the same group of students in both classes created an extremely comfortable environment where we pushed each other to be the best versions of ourselves possible. I still keep in touch with all my classmates because of the very special connection we shared together. I love to hear about the successes and new adventures that come their way."
-Christian Edwards
Biology transfer student Olivia Edwards joined a learning community to give her a boost of encouragement while she completed her requirements. “We need (social support) for every other part of life, and we need it for school too,” Edwards said. “And that made the biggest difference. With that social support, you really feel like you can do it.”
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