Take your required classes in a new and innovative way!

Learning Communities integrate two or more courses using a common theme. By connecting subjects through readings and assignments, understanding of the material is easier and learning is improved. Furthermore, you'll work with the same community of students in the linked classes, helping each other succeed and making friends along the way. 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.

Benefits of Learning Communities:

• Reinforcement of content in both courses.
• Opportunity to make friends and form strong bonds with fellow students.
• Built-in support system.
• Increased interaction with the faculty.
• Courses offered at prime times.
• Courses often offered back-to-back in the same room.

Spring 2021 Learning Communities

Just Us: Social Justice for a Just World

Is this the kind of society and world in which you want to live? Investigate, discuss and speak out about social justice issues you care about most. Find out what activists are doing to address injustices in areas such as civil rights, criminal justice, the environment, foreign policy, immigration, labor unions, privacy rights, social class, women’s rights and more. Learn how to advocate for the principles you believe in and create a more just society. Learn how to let your voice be heard!

Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101 / 101A.

Last W(rites): Dealing, Not Dwelling, with Death

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. Using the magic of Zoom, you'll meet your instructor (virtually) in local cemeteries where we Last (W)riters will dig down into our communication toolboxes to explore 6 feet under while safely 6  feet apart.

Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG-101/101A.

Screen Time: Living in an Online Society

How much of your life is lived online? In 2020, nearly all aspects of American society have a digital option: shopping, learning, dating, banking, navigating, stealing, job-searching, reading, keeping records of the past, photographing the present, dreaming of the future, even keeping in touch with our loved ones. How does this new reality affect a society? How do we determine our roles within it, and live our best lives? Use sociological concepts and theories to examine how the internet has shaped our everyday lives. Consider the consequences of spending time in this virtual space. Research sociological topics based on your own interests while you demonstrate strategies for effectively speaking and writing about society’s constantly changing web of ideas.

Eligibility for ENG 101

Anatomy of a Monster

We will explore a variety of psychological concepts and use that knowledge to enhance our study of Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein." Topics of discussion 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.

Eligibility for ENG 101

America United, America Divided: Speaking of the Past and Facing our Future

Good speeches have shaped and described U.S. history since the country’s founding. Expand your knowledge of selected U.S. historical events and personalities while refining your public speaking skills, conducting research and gaining confidence as a presenter. Study texts, primary sources and videos, and gain speaking practice.

Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG-101/101A.

Talkin' and Testifyin' About Black Lives

Learn about the richness of African American culture and history from songs, sermons, speeches and other primary sources. Discover Black people's thoughts, feelings and deeds from painters, filmmakers, story tellers and comedians. See the faces and hear the voices that have been left out of many U.S. history books. In this learning community, we will use media and public presentations to explore African American heritage.

Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101/101A..

We and They: The Color Line in America Today

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.

Eligibility for ENG-101

Criminal Minds

This learning community will explore psychological and criminological concepts as a key to understanding the minds of criminals. Is crime a choice? What are impacts of the prison experience and the juvenile justice system? Behavioral, cognitive, personality and social psychology theories will provide a framework for understanding and explaining various aspects of the criminal justice system, causes of crime and various types of crimes.