Learning Communities FAQs

• A common group of students is enrolled in the same classes.
• Students and faculty build connections between subject matter, disciplines and ideas.
• The community focuses on a central theme common to the disciplines.
• Courses are team-designed and frequently team-taught.
• Collaborative and experiential learning are central to learning communities.
• Multicultural thinking is encouraged to promote the understanding of diverse perspectives.

First year Seminar and English

First Year Seminar Learning Community is a partially integrated course that pairs an FYS class and ENG class. The same group of students are taking the same FYS and ENG back-to-back. The class is taught by two teachers who know each other, plan assignments together, and have your best interests in mind. Students who are part of a learning community at Harper feel more supported, have a greater sense of community and do better in their classes.

Theme Based

Partially Integrated

Two different courses are scheduled back-to-back with the same cohort of students. Both faculty are present in each other’s class periods for 50% of the time*. Lectures, activities, and assignments are designed and presented as collaboratively as possible.

Fully Integrated

Two different courses are scheduled back-to-back with the same cohort of students. Both faculty are present for the entire time during both class periods. Lectures, activities, and assignments are designed and presented as collaboratively as possible. Two different courses are scheduled back-to-back with the same cohort of students. Both faculty are present in each other’s class periods for 50% of the time*. Lectures, activities, and assignments are designed and presented as collaboratively as possible.

*When this is not practical due to course pairing, workload should be met through other means.

Students receive separate credit and separate grades for both classes in the Learning Community. If you take a three credit-hour ENG 101 linked with a three-credit hour PSY 101, you receive six hours of credit. Your classes will be listed separately on your transcript.

• Learning Communities classes emphasize that faculty and students alike are embarked on a journey of discovery.
• Faculty and students are able to work together more closely and develop successful learning strategies collaboratively.
• Students are able to become better acquainted with faculty and tend to be more comfortable asking questions.
• Students have the opportunity to develop stronger skills, the confidence to explore issues in depth, and the ability to question and think rigorously.

Students consistently report that they value the chance to get to know their teachers better, to make new friends, and to benefit from a variety of teaching styles.

Students frequently register for Learning Communities courses on recommendations from peers and counselors or sometimes because of a specific theme. Students enjoy the convenient scheduling of courses that the Learning Communities Program provides. Many Learning Communities offerings allow students to register for two classes that fulfill General Education requirements.

Yes, creating joint projects is an integral part of the Learning Communities experience for faculty and students.

Yes, if you are taking a fully coordinated class, both teachers will participate in both classes. Some classes are linked but not fully coordinated. In that case, the classes are not team-taught.

For step-by-step instructions, see the Register page.