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Fall 2011 Learning Community Offerings
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Learning Communities

Experience your first college term at WSU in a small group

What's a Learning Community?

A Learning Community is a small group of first-year students who take two or more classes together.

• Students in a Learning Community receive personal attention as part of a supportive college family.
• Each Learning Community consists of 20 to 25 study buddies who share similar interests or majors.

How will you benefit from joining a Learning Community?

• Make friends faster: build a network of friends with classmates you see several times a week
• Learn about campus programs and services
• Adjust to college faster
• Earn a higher GPA than those students who do not participate in Learning Communities
• Lower your stress levels during the first quarter in college

What will students in a Learning Community do?

• Study together
• Explore career options together
• Learn college success strategies together

What classes do students in Learning Communities take together?

• Most Learning communities are seminar-based. Students in seminar-based Learning Communities take a First Year Seminar together with one or more general education course(s) (Sociology, Psychology, English, etc.)that is linked to that seminar. View a list of the general education courses that are linked to First Year Seminars.
• A few Learning Communities are program-based. Majors such as computer science, dance, engineering, music, and theatre have natural Learning Communities as part of their program and designate the courses students take together.
• A few Learning Communities are honors-based. Students who have accepted an Honors Program-funded scholarship earn credit for three Honors courses when they successfully complete all components of an Honors Learning Community.

What's a First Year Seminar?

A First Year Seminar is a college course that involves active learning. Generally the First Year Seminar course meets twice a week. Some examples of topics covered in First year Seminars include:

• Time management exercises
• Student life panel discussion
• Beer goggles exercises
• Academic integrity skits
• Service learning projects
• Out-of-class study groups
• Student-led reviews before exams
• Note-taking & how to study exercises
• How to understand college professors
• Small group discussion
• Field trips (Freedom Center, Art Institute)
• WSU athletic events
• Photo scavenger hunt
• Wheelchair basketball
• Diversity appreciation
• Low ropes course

Who teaches the First Year Seminars?

Peer Instructors (upper-division students) teach some First Year Seminars, giving you access to someone who has "been there". Staff instructors also teach some First Year Seminars, providing more experience and knowledge of campus services and programs.

When should you enroll in a Learning Community?

Wright State's tradition is for all freshmen to enroll in a Learning Community their very first quarter/term at WSU. The Learning Community will make your transition to college smooth and enjoyable, so it will be most beneficial in your first term.

What Learning Communities are available for you to join?

Wright State offers fifty different kinds of Learning Communities, based on common academic, vocational,professional or even sports or recreational interest. Examples include:

• Business Majors
• College Success
• Engineered for Success - for Honors students
• Leadership & Service Learning
• Nursing Intensive
• Residential Living-Learning Community for students living on-campus
• Sports & Society
• Student clubs & Campus Involvement
• Undecided Students exploring careers & majors

View a complete listing of Learning Community options.

How do you sign up for a Learning Community?

• When you register for Orientation for fall term, you will fill out a survey that will allow you to indicate your Learning Community first, second, and third preferences.
• Some sections fill up fast, so select your Learning Community preferences and attend Orientation early. An advisor will add additional classes to complete a full-time schedule when you come to campus for Orientation.
• If you are beginning classes in Winter, Spring, or Summer Quarters, contact University College at (937) 775-5750 for information on joining a Learning Community.

Need more information?

For more information about Learning Communities, contact Learning Communities Director catherine.queener@wright.edu or University College at Wright State University: (937) 775-5750