Learning Communities and Integrated Studies
What
Learning Communities and Linked Courses explore issues and concerns of a complex topical theme by integrating multiple subject perspectives, leading students to actionable responses and solutions to contemporary problems. These models of teaching and learning are the basis of Integrated Studies at Seattle Central.
They accomplish this with interactive curriculum and critical pedagogy, including student-led seminars, field trips, group projects, performances, guest speakers, co-curricular activities, service learning - going beyond the traditional classroom activities.
Options
Enroll in a Learning Community or Linked Course and earn 8-15 credits that meet the required Integrated Studies special designation for the AA degree.
- Learning Communities (LCs): enroll in one class with fully integrated coursework from multiple subjects; all instructors are present for all sessions.
- First Year Learning Communities support new-to-college students with a strong academic and social foundation. They are 10-credit, hybrid classes that meet in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15am - 12:50pm.
- Linked Courses: enroll in two courses with some integrated assignments & projects from both subjects; the two instructors teach separate sessions.
Students rave about the transformative educational experience and are eager to enroll in other LCs as they continue their college journey.
Why
- Explore issues and concerns of a topical theme with instructors from different subject areas.
- Develop creative and critical thinking skills, while making connections across academic disciplines.
- Enter and complete an educational journey that welcomes life experiences and encourages problem-based learning.
- Meet the Integrated Studies special requirement for the AA transfer degree.
- Gain a sense of belonging at our college while building bonds with peers that will help achieve academic success.
Upcoming Course Schedule
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It was extremely different but I enjoyed it thoroughly. This has been such a unique experience, and I can't stress enough that it was for my first quarter of college. When looking back at when I wanted to take a gap year after graduating high school, I am so grateful that I changed my mind and was presented with this class.
I really like that there were constant connections being made between the four subjects and that helped me connect and understand the things I was learning.
Interdisciplinary... Many subjects connected which helped me to think outside of the box and simultaneously about intersecting ideas.
I felt grateful to experience concepts and perspectives that I hadn't before. I wanted to share them with my family and friends, because I wanted them to experience the joy of learning something new too. I wanted to change aspects of my life that I previously thought were given, so that I could make a greater impact on issues that I didn't see before. I wanted to meet more people that had perspectives and concepts that were different than mine, and look for classes that would continue to challenge my view of the world.
The subjects/instructors were cohesive, organized and well-integrated. The assignments were not confusing. I really enjoyed the learning model…
“sets the tone that we are all learning from each other, that there is not just one way to learn or frame knowledge. The kinds of questions we ask are different, and it is deeply beneficial to examine even how and why we pose the kinds of questions we do coming from the perspective of our disciplines, our subject positions, our personalities. I often feel like I am in a laboratory of ideas, a workshop of sorts when I am team-teaching. This practice of enquiry reinforces for our students that knowledge is not a fixed object but is dynamic and exciting.”
Phebe Jewell (Stories Beyond Bars; Say Their Names)
“learned a great deal on how to integrate material from multiple disciplines and to put them together in a meaningful way. It has inspired me to try to incorporate more authentic problems and problems that require an interdisciplinary approach in my other sections of courses.”
Danielle Mallare-Dani (Math in Motion I & II)
Contact: Sharon Spence-Wilcox, LCC.Central@seattlecolleges.edu | Learning Communities Committee