Fall 2008 Communities
Students can choose from the following learning communities, which represent a wide range of interests and opportunities. Unless otherwise noted, each of these Learning Communities is open to all students regardless of major or career goal.
Death and Rising
Bright Promises
Fear and Courage
Reason and Madness
Road to Enlightenment
Leadership: Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk
Heart, Mind & Soul: Exploring the Catholic Intellectual Tradition
Nursing Nexus
Smart Art Start
The Art of Science
The Heart of the Matter: The Role of Spirtual and Philosophical Discourse in the Modern University
Women and Liberation
Death and Rising (ACE 101-AA) In this learning community students will read, research and write about themes relating to several phases of the death experience: loss, what happens after death, the afterlife, the possibility of heaven on earth and grieving. Theo 200 provides Gen Ed credit for a lower level theology and ENGL 101 satisfies the written communications skills requirement.
Bright Promises (ACE 101-BB) Politics has an amazing ability to raise our hopes, and seems at least as capable of dashing them. Why is this, and can it ever change? This LC will explore the fundamental issues that define our political aspirations and achievements, including justice, duty, rights, citizenship, law, constitutional design, democracy and leadership. Together we will read, interpret, discuss, research and write about insightful ideas from some of the greatest political thinkers. PSCI 199 satisfies a social science requirement and ENGL 101 satisfies the written communication skills requirement.
Fear and Courage (ACE 101-CC) Today Americans are consumed by an important question: why do people do unspeakably evil deeds? But another important question should also be asked: why do they perform unimaginably brave and good deeds? This question is at the heart of the learning community. THEO 101 provides General Education credit for a lower level theology requirement and ENGL 101 satisfies the written communications skills requirement.
Reason and Madness (ACE 101-DD) There have been many attempts to shed light on the dark corners of the mind in order to understand madness, irrationality and immorality. This course will address some of these attempts, which originate from, among other things, Freudian psychology, Christian revelation and scientific theorizing. PHIL 101 provides General Education credit for social science and COMM 110 satisfies the oral communications skills requirement.
Road to Enlightenment (ACE 101-EE) This community will focus on the emergence of Western culture and civilization within the context of the rest of the world, providing a historical framework extending from the Ancient Near East through late medieval Western Europe. Students will examine how western civilizations evolved in response and reaction to their encounters with civilizations around the globe. Different styles and functions of art during these same historical periods will be examined, as students investigate the ways the visual cultures of these civilizations reveal their priorities and anxieties within the historical and cultural context of their times.
Leadership: Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk (ACE 101-FF) Have you ever wondered why some people, groups or teams, are more successful than others? Could it be not only what they say and do but also how they say and do things? This learning community will help you to connect the dots between successful leadership and good communication skills. Group and individual projects and presentations will assist you in both walking the walk and talking the talk. ORGL 104 provides General Education credit in the Social Sciences and COMM 110 satisfies Oral Communications skills requirement.
Heart, Mind & Soul: Exploring the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (ACE 101-A) The Catholic intellectual tradition has served as a basis for spiritual and moral investigation and guidance for centuries. Our learning community will investigate faith, spirituality, and morality as they apply to individuals and their quests for meaning. The literature course, ENGL 120, will primarily incorporate contemporary authors who identify themselves as being Catholic or who make issues pertaining to Catholicism a central component of their writing. CATH 201 will introduce themes central to Catholic culture and identity (human freedom, community, sacramentality, tradition, justice) and will study the lives of various individuals whose intellectual pursuits have championed these themes. CATH 201 meets the general requirement for an additional course within philosophy/ theology, and ENGL 120 satisfies a humanities requirement.
Nursing Nexus (ACE 101-B) Nursing must be mindful of the past in order to meet the challenges of the present and plan for the future. The goal of Nursing Nexus is to provide an atmosphere that encourages the discovery of the profession of nursing. The Learning Community will share academic and social events that challenge participants to develop the abilities and skills necessary for deeper learning including appropriate study skills and strategies, critical thinking, scholarly inquiry and communication (both written and oral). This LC is restricted to students accepted into nursing.
Smart Art Start (ACE 101-C) The visual and performing arts are joined in this learning community. The artistic media of theater and drawing share a profound exploration of the personal and the public although their embodiment differs. The ways in which the graphic and performing arts create their messages, communicate to audiences, and embody the thoughts of their creators form the core of this area of study. Participation in this Learning Community is restricted to students with art or theater majors or minors, or those seriously considering study in these fields. ART 100 provides General Education credit in creative arts, while THTR 202 satisfies General Education credit in humanities.
The Art of Science (ACE 101-D and ACE 101-E) Two identical sections of this Learning Community, which may be combined for some activities. The central process of a practicing scientist’s life is identification of a problem, formulation of a hypothesis, design of an experiment, and analysis of results to produce new knowledge. In this LC, you will work in teams conducting original research at Nahant Marsh in Davenport, one of the few remaining large wetlands along the upper Mississippi River.
The Heart of the Matter: The Role of Spiritual and Philosophical Discourse in the Modern University (ACE 101-F) In many ways the disciplines of philosophy and theology were the foundation of early liberal arts universities, but as our world evolved, the process of preparing to be an active and engaged member of our global community has become disconnected from these roots. This LC will consider a return to the roots of the university to discover why our historical counterparts placed such a focus on these areas of study. Through use of a common text and activities, both courses will guide students through an examination of the significance of critical thinking and an examined life in our busy, goal-driven lives. PHIL 207 provides General Education credit for a lower level philosophy requirement, and THEO 101 provides General Education credit for a lower level theology requirement.
Women and Liberation (ACE 101-G) This learning community focuses on the ways women from various cultures have engaged religion and formed a supportive community to find meaning in their lives and fight for their well-being. Students will analyze the role of gender in religious texts, diaries, poetry, films and other primary and secondary sources. By exploring the links between identity markers (such as gender, race and class), cultural beliefs and social institutions like religion, this learning community will consider the variety of ways that gender comes to matter in men’s and women’s lives. In addition, students will discuss social justice issues as they relate to women of different religious and cultural backgrounds. Open to students with various academic interests. THEO 200 meets the General Education requirement of all students for a lower level Theology course, and WMST 201 meets the requirement for a Humanities course.