Learning Communities

Both courses will be taught by two instructors at the same time, to foster dialogue, debate, and discussion. Both classes will be a part of a community where learners can engage one another in meaningful and memorable ways!

"Participating in a learning community at Waubonsee was an enriching educational experience for me. I had the opportunity to learn in a unique environment, where students could step away from typical classroom dynamics and grow together as a group with a shared educational goal." — Finch Kartheiser

Fall 2026 Course Offerings

Mind over Matter! Sport Psychology & Philosophy

Do you love sports and games? Want to develop both your mind and body? This exciting learning community provides an opportunity to discuss factors that influence athletic performance and overall well-being. We will explore topics in kinesiology such as the psychological aspects of mental toughness, burnout, and group cohesion (KPE250) alongside some of the big questions in philosophy such as personal identity, free will, mind and body, ethics, and human flourishing (PHL100). Much of this learning will be done through playing games in class.

Enhance your athletic performance while learning to think deeply and critically about the world around you! Game on!

Course Number	Course Title	Instructor	Days/Times
KPE250	Sport Psychology	Heller, Dr. Emily	MW, 9:30am-10:45am
PHL100	Introduction to Philosophy	Zusman, Steve	MW, 11:00am-12:15pm

Learning Communities Poster: Alternatives - ENG101 and HUM101

Alternatives — An English 101 and Humanities 101 Learning Community

Alternative Voices: Language and culture don't just reflect the world — they shape it. In this learning community, we'll dive into alternative perspectives and creative expressions that challenge the mainstream. What happens when we step outside the traditional Western canon? How do alternative lifestyles, medicine, foods, art forms, and narratives give us tools to reimagine society — and ourselves? Along the way, you'll sharpen your writing, research, and argumentation skills — learning how to craft clear, compelling essays that don't just inform, but persuade and provoke.

Course Number	Course Title	Instructor	Days/Times
ENG101	First-Year Composition I	Clark, Gary	TTH, 11:00am-12:15pm
HUM101	Survey of the Humanities	Lawler, Dr. Aaron	TTH, 12:30pm-1:45pm

Learning Communities Poster: Sex and Gender plus English SOC230 and ENG101

Sex and Gender & English Composition

Course Number	Course Title	Instructor	Days/Times
SOC230	Sociology of Sex and Gender	Miller, Jessie	MW, 9:30am-10:45am
ENG101	First-Year Composition I	Fuller, Teri	MW, 11:00am-12:15pm
ENG099	Supplemental First-Year Composition I	Fuller, Teri	MW, 12:30pm-1:20pm

From Functions to Forces

Where Math Meets Reality
Take Precalculus II (MTH 130) and Introduction to Physics I (PHY 111) together in one connected learning experience. See how functions describe motion, how equations model forces, and how math becomes a powerful tool for understanding the physical world.

In this learning community, you will:

Connect math concepts directly to physics applications
Model real-world situations using functions
Build stronger problem-solving skills across both courses
Learn in a coordinated, supportive environment

Why it works:
What you learn in one class reinforces the other—helping ideas make sense more quickly and stick longer.

Ideal for students who want to:

See how math is used in science
Strengthen their foundation for STEM courses
Learn with a cohort of peers

Course Number	Course Title	Instructor	Days/Times
MTH130	Precalculus II	Crawford, Mark	TTh, 9:30am-10:45am
PHY111	Introduction to Physics I	Jindal, Dr. Pratima	TTh, 11:00am-1:45pm

Learning Communities Poster: Unlock Math Confidence

Unlock Math Confidence in a Learning Community

Blend together the content of MTH050 with the strategies of COL100 to give students the strongest start possible. By embedding success techniques directly into the learning experience, this learning community (MTH050 & COL100) aims to build students' confidence, strengthen their academic habits, and create a foundation for continued achievement in future courses.

Course Number	Course Title	Instructor	Days/Times
MTH050	Basic Mathematical Skills	Brown, Maribeth	TTh, 9:30am-10:20am
COL100	Great Beginnings: College Life and Success	Morgan, Melissa	TTh, 10:25am-10:50am

FAQs for Learning Community

What are Learning Communities?

Learning Communities are experiences that combine two courses in a fresh and innovative way. They give students the opportunity to integrate learning within a supportive community of learners. Both courses will be taught by two instructors at the same time, to foster dialogue, debate, and discussion. The lines between the two courses are blurred, allowing for opportunities to show how different subjects connect and can overlap. Learning Communities are a great way to earn credit for both courses while digging deeper into interesting and exciting ideas!

Why should I take a Learning Community?

Learning Communities combine two subjects, in which you can take what you learn in one course and apply that information to the other course. By finding common ground between two subjects, you have better opportunities to understand and master the material in fun and exciting ways! When you use two different perspectives you are able to reinforce and better remember the information from both classes. This helps you feel more confident and be more successful when you are writing a paper, taking a test, or discussing in class.

What do students say about taking Learning Communities?

Are Learning Communities extra work?

Are both instructors present in each other’s class?

How does this affect my course load?