Goals and objectives of the learning community "The Nature and Culture of Water"

The following provides a sense of the desired outcome for students and faculty members participating in this learning community. They include the pedagogical goals and objectives for the separate courses of the learning community, Humanities 101 and Biology 104, as well as those for the collaborative integration of the two courses around the theme of water. The teaching team has carefully considered each in the design of the program.

Goals for the Learning Community

To foster integration of knowledge between the traditionally disparate disciplines of the Humanities and the Sciences.

To help students and faculty members appreciate and utilize modes of learning, dialogue, inquiry and thought for which they are unfamiliar.

To help first-year students establish a social framework that is built upon a vibrant intellectual foundation. Students will live near each other, work on team assignments, participate in numerous off-campus learning experiences, design and implement community educational outreach activities, and enjoy planned social gatherings designed to grow friendships, intellect, and maturity.

Goals of Humanities 101

To introduce students to the study of the humanities and to engage students in humanistic inquiry.

To encourage students to explore their own values and to consider how those values may affect their view of contemporary ethical conflicts.

To encourage students to pursue ongoing self-evaluation and reflection.

Objectives of Humanities 101

Engage in small, discussion-based seminar groups to encourage all to develop effective communication skills (speaking, writing, listening, reflecting, etc.).

Engage students in substantial reading and writing exercises to develop intellectual breadth and the ability to use critical and creative thinking skills.

Goals of Science 104

To introduce students to scientific concepts and the scientific method.

To develop critical thinking skills (analysis, interpretation, evaluation, inference, explanation, and self-regulation).

To help students overcome negative attitudes toward science.

To empower students with the confidence and curiosity to pursue their understanding of a current or future "scientific issue" that may affect their lives.

To foster an appreciation of how scientific knowledge can contribute to resolving complex local, regional and global civic issues through its effective, ethical and moral application.

Objectives of Science 104

To use the scientific method in a way that clearly demonstrates its broad utility across all disciplines.
To engage students in "hands-on science" to develop practical skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
To investigate and debate complex civic problems that might find resolution through an understanding and blending of science knowledge with other discipline-based knowledge.

Specific Objectives for "The Nature and Culture of Water." The following objectives are somewhat unique to this particular learning community, but may have broad relevance to similar initiatives that foster interdisciplinary learning.

To consider water from many angles and work across disciplines to discuss why this "element" is so universal as myth, metaphor, and image.
To develop in students a "sense of place" within their locale and region of the country through the study and experience of various bodies of water.
To motivate students to become engaged citizens through numerous field experiences and through discussions with individuals (government officials, grass roots activists, scientists, etc.) who are working to protect water resources.
To incorporate experiential learning (e.g., educational outreach to children, data collection and analysis, etc.) in combination with classroom learning to enhance the educational outcome for all students.
To develop students' technological skills in ways that enhance learning (e.g., developing personal web pages to share their knowledge with each other and a broader audience) and help disseminate the outcomes of this curricular program to other institutions interested in undertaking similar initiatives.

Return to "The Nature and Culture of Water" learning community home page.

Return to Dr. Goldey's Home Page.