Learning Communities

Learning Communities

What are Learning Communities?

South Puget Sound offers students opportunities to participate in learning communities. A learning community combines, or “links,” two or more courses in the same classroom. Students register and earn credits for each of the courses linked in the learning community. The courses are often taught by multiple professors, each bringing their own discipline and expertise to the learning community. Students spend all of their class time together, integrating different disciplines and subjects (such as Psychology and English). Learning communities create a supportive community of students and professors which increase student engagement and deepen learning. See quarterly online and print schedules for opportunities to participate in a learning community experience!

Why would I want to be part of a Learning Community?

Research shows that Learning Communities have a positive impact on student learning and help students feel more connected to their studies. Being with a cohort of students for a majority of your coursework helps students get to know one another, find study groups, and work collaboratively toward college success. Course materials and assignments are often integrated to teach skills in more than one discipline. This gives you more opportunity for feedback on your learning while earning credit for two or more distinct courses with your assignments. Also, students have greater contact and familiarity with the faculty members teaching the courses.

Learning Communities for the 2011-2012 academic year:

Winter 2012:

PSYC 210—Abnormal Psychology
FILM 118—Topic in Film: Horror Films

ENVR 110—Environmental Science
ENGL&101—English Composition I

Spring 2012:

HUM 119—History of Popular Music
HIST 148—US History III

What do students say about Learning Communities:

“A linked class is a very beneficial to learning because you get to spend more time with teachers and classmates. Having more time made it easier to talk to other classmates and get questions answered from the teachers faster.”

“I really enjoy having the classes combined.  It makes it more interesting, and fun!!  It switches it up a bit, and keeps ideas and learning fresh.”

“I would recommend this form of class to everybody because it is so dynamic.”

“In my experience, this being my second linked class, linking classes is an exciting way to approach synthesizing and connecting the information students take from the class.” 

For more information about Learning Communities:

For more information about registering for a Learning Community, contact the College Advising Center (360-596-5241; ) or your Faculty Advisor. For information about Learning Communities, contact any of the following faculty members:

James Schneider, , 360-596-5291
Kathleen Byrd, , 360.596.5339
Erica Dixon, , 360.596.5578