ACADEMIC LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Cohort Learning Communities

Fresh stART (Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Spring 2009)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar (cohort) 
ART 1120: Art Appreciation 
This freshman seminar cohort learning community is designed to offer students the skills necessary to succeed in Art Appreciation and in college.  Cohort students will focus on developing positive study strategies and applying them toward mastering art concepts and vocabulary. 

Reinforcing & Applying Psychological Concepts (Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Spring 2009)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar (cohort)
PSYC 1101: Introduction to Psychology
This cohort learning community is designed for students who are taking Freshman Seminar and Introduction to Psychology. Students in the Freshman Seminar will have the opportunity to apply concepts they have learned in the Introduction to Psychology course. Topics addressed will include, but are not limited to, learning theory, memory, motivation, personality, and human development.

Written English and Society (Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009)
Instructors: M. Helwig and C. White
ENGL 1104: Written English (cohort)
SOCY 1110: Introductory Sociology
This cohort learning community is designed for students who are takin Written English I and Introductory Sociology. Students in the cohort English course will learn valuable writing skills while incorporating ideas and concepts presented in the sociology class. The overall goals of the cohort will be an understanding of modern sociological concepts, confidence in written communication across a variety of modes of writing, and greater success for students involved in this community.

Integrated Learning Communities

Art and Literature through the Middle Ages - HONORS (Fall 2008)
ART 1120: Art Appreciation 
ENGL 2220: World Literature I 
Art 1120 and English 2220 form a learning community for sophmore-level honors students working to fulfill their liberal studies requirements in the "Cultural/Civilization Exploration" and "Artistic/Creative Expression and Interdisciplinary/Advanced Studies" areas. Students will have the opportunity to study major works of art and literature from Prehistory to the Renaissance, to learn about the cultural contexts underpinning these works, and to advance their ability to interpret and analyze in clear, correct prose.

The Communication-Culture Connection (Fall 2007)
SPCH 1100: Introduction to Speech Communication
SPCH 1105: Voice and Diction
The "Communication-Culture Connection" will explore how dialects and accents evolved and how stereotypes about speech and culture are perpetuated. The emphasis will be on how vocal production affects crediblity and competence.

Cross-Cultural Psychology in Theater (Fall 2006)
PSYC 3399:  Special Topics: Cross-Cultural Psychology 
THEA 1199: Special Topics: Cross-Cultural Theater 
In these linked courses students will learn various aspects of cross-cultural communication (verbal and non-verbal) and identities associated with race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, spirituality, and other aspects of values and lifestyles.  Students will be expected to read theoretical articles that lead to writing and discussion.  However, the nature of these classes is primarily participatory and students will explore their own identity as well as others' through various experiential and theatrical activities.  Students will also explore the Stanislavski method in which they learn how to connect with their emotional life through acting.  The classes will culminate in a staged drama in which experiences from both classes will be utilized.  By participating in the final production, the student will not only deepen their self-understanding but also will contribute to the enhancement of diversity awareness within the Fairmont State community. No previous acting experience is required.

The Early American Experience (Fall 2006)
HIST 1107: United States History I 
ENGL 2230: Introduction to Literature I  
Studetns enrolled in these two courses will explore the lives of Americans, including politics, economics, literature, and culture.  From the early colonial period to the outbreak of the Civil War.  

Education in Service to Society - HONORS (Spring 2008)
EDUC 2200: Introduction to Education
HUSV 1199: Special Topics: CSL/ED 
"Education in Service to Society" is designed for Education majors in the Honors Program. In this honors learning community, students will; realize the relationship between societal values and educational reform; see themselves as change agents, servants, and self-directed learners engaging in inquiry and constructing knowledge about education and service; and value their ability to learn, contribute to society, and appreciate diversity in others' ideas, lives, and abilities.

Exploring and Experiencing College (Fall 2007, Fall 2008)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar
ENGL 1104: Written English
"Exploring and Experiencing College" is designed to give first-semester students opportunities to connect with each other, faculty, and the campus community, as well as to learn how to meet academic expectations of college courses. This learning community will emphasize the importance of developing and/or enhancing writing skills and will promote the importance of audience and purpose in planning and revising writing assignments.

Exploring Career (Fall 2006)
SPCH 1100: Introduction to Speech Communication
ENGL 0097: Composition Skills
This learning community is designed to engage students in the process of exploring career choices.  In Speech 1100 students will learn about corporate culture and practice their interviewing skills as a potential job applicant.  In English 97 students will write about work-related topics, including their own work experience, characteristics of a specific career, and corporate culture; they will also write a reflective essay on the experience of "Expoloring Careers." 

Family Matters (Fall 2006, Fall 2007, Fall 2008)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar
ENGL 0097: Composition Skills
"Family Matters" is a learning community focused on giving first year students opportunities to thrive in the college environment while exploring family issues and how they impact college life. Students will complile a portfolio of essays based on Freshman Seminar activities and college/family themed issues. The learning community will help students acclimate to all aspects of college life including attendance at student events, utilizing facilities and services, following proper procedures and regulations.  

Global Insight of Race, Class, and Gender (Fall 2008)
INTR 2200: Race, Class, and Gender 
COMM 2200: Introduction to Human Communication 
These courses will "link" by exploring popular culture and global perspectives on race, class, and gender. The interrelationships of race, class, gender, and ethnicity are explored as well as with an overview on varied components of organizational communications, human concepts, and public speech.

Great Themes in Sociology and Literature - HONORS (Spring 2008)
SOCY 1110: Introductory Sociology
ENGL 2221: World Literature
"Great Themes in Sociology" is an honors learning community designed to explore the important theories of sociology, particularly as they are evident in literature written since (in) the eighteenth century. We will study how structural-functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interaction, social exchange theory, postmodernism, and social construction of reality are reflected in works by Voltaire, Moliere, Whitman, Chekhov, Tolstoy, Kafka, Borges, Camus, Rilke, and others. This six-credit combination will count towards the nine-credit Liberal Studies requirement in culture/civilization exploration.

Investigating Patterns for Success in Math (Fall 2007, Fall 2008)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar
MATH 0094: Pre-Algebra
This learning community will take advantage of group activities and projects throughout the semester. The course will provide opportunities for students to collaborate, explore, and discover mathematical patterns to enhance their success in the Developmental Algebra course. We will use the theories developed by Keith Devlin to enhance student mathematics achievement.

Making It All Add Up (Fall 2006, Fall 2007, Fall 2008)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar
MATH 0095: Elementary Algebra
"Making It All Add Up" is designed to introduce incoming freshman to the appropriate study skill strategies needed to be successful in math and as a college student. Students will have an opportunity to work collaboratively to strengthen their study skills while at the same time completing the objectives for the Math 95 course. Topics addressed will include: study skills, time management, math anxiety and overal student success.

Math and English: Shared Strategies for Success (Fall 2007, Fall 2008)
MATH 0094: Pre-Algebra
ENGL 0097: Composition Skills
This learning community will focus on incorporating good study skills as well as test-taking and writing strategies as they apply to both Math and Composition. Students will use writing as means of engaging with course content and self-analysis. Student learning will be supplemented through the use of Blackboard Vista.

Others (Fall 2006)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar
ENGL 1104: Written English I

SPCH 1100:  Introduction to Speech Communication
Students enrolled in these three courses will engage communally in an investigation of the concept of values.  The students will develop an understanding of the relationship between one's personal values and thsoe of the "other," resulting in an increased capapcity for empathy and understanding, care for others, and respect for diversity. 

Race, Class, & Gender and Human Communications (Spring 2009)
SPCH 1100: Introduction to Speech Communication
ENGL 0097: Composition Skills
"Speaking  

Speaking in Tongues: What Language Should We Use and When? (Fall 2007)
SPCH 1100: Introduction to Speech Communication
ENGL 0097: Composition Skills
"Speaking in Tongues" is a learning community designed to give first-year students an integrated introduction to written and oral communication. Students will explore interpersonal communication with a focus on appropriate use of formal and informal language. Speech 1100 students will engage in oral application of theories related to organziational communication and public speaking, in English 97, they will engage in written application of and reflection upon these theories and their effects.

Speaking of Psychology (Fall 2008)
COMM 2200: Introduction to Human Communication 
PSYC 1101: Introduction to Psychology
"Speaking of Psychology" is a learning community designed to give primarily freshman students the best possible opportunity to make connections with fellow studetns and to gain a better understanding of how disciplines are interrelated and do not exist in a vacuum. This will be accoplished via collaborative activities while meeting the requirements for both Human Communication 2200 and Introduction to Psychology 1101.

Virtual Society - online  (Fall 2006, Fall 2007, Fall 2008)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar
SOCY 1110: Introductory Sociology
"Virtual Society" is an online learning community pairing Introductory Sociology and Freshman Seminar. The goal is to help students understand their social roles and responsibilities as a valuable member of the campus community and beyond. Students will learn how their social experiences color their perception and how to better understand and navigate campus systems.

Voices and Viewpoints (Spring 2008)
ENGL 1104: Written English I
SPCH 1100: Introduction to Speech Communication
"Voices and Viewpoints" is designed to engage students in oral and written expressions of perception on varied topics including self-identity, language, and stereotypes. Other topics can include: work, family, education, nature, science, language, and ethics. This six-credit combination will count towards your college credit English course requirement and a Liberal Studies course requirement."Words to Live By" is a learning community that promotes college student success by providing first-year students with an opportunity to become familiar with campus resources, develop study skills and begin the career exploration prociess in an environment that encourages self-exploration, experiential learning, and the development of college-level writing skills.

Words to Live By (Fall 2008)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar 
ENGL 0097: Composition Skills 
"Words to Live By" is a learning community that promotes college student success by providing first-year students with an opportunity to become familiar with campus resources, develop study skills and begin the career exploration prociess in an environment that encourages self-exploration, experiential learning, and the development of college-level writing skills.

Write to Succeed (Fall 2006 - Main Campus, Fall 2008 - off campus MTEC)
HUSV 1100: Freshman Seminar 
ENGL 0097: Composition Skills 
"Write to Succeed" is a learning community designed to give freshman level students the best possible opportunity to develop college level readin, writing, and study skills.  The Freshman Seminar course encourages learning outside of the classroom, and self reflection through journal and essay writing.  The English 97 course fulfills the Developmental Skills English requirement with an emphasis on forming well composed and well written essays.  These classes complement each other in academic content and writing style expectations.