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!
"We weren't just learning two separate things at once. It was almost an overlap. So for me it was philosophy and humanities. It wasn't just a humanities class. It was also a philosophy class and that you were just learning them like from both or from two different angles about it." — Thomas (Waubonsee Student)
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.
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.
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?
By spending more time with your peers, you develop deep and lasting relationships with the other students in the class. You also have the opportunity to forge a better connection with your instructors.
No! The work load is the same, in theory, but in practice, you can complete the work more quickly and efficiently because the course material from one class reinforces the second class.
Are both instructors present in each other’s class?
Yes! Both instructors can lend their expertise to one another’s classes, making a more robust and enhanced experience for you. One of the best parts of a Learning Community is getting the opportunity to see how two instructors interact with one another.
How does this affect my course load?
Each class appears separately on your official transcripts and is worth the same number of credits as if you hadn’t taken the classes as a Learning Community. If you take a three-credit-hour PHL 100 linked with a three-credit-hour HUM 101, you receive six hours of credit.