The Learning Community Experience at Shorter University 2012

As part of your fall course schedule, each first-year student has the oppourtunity to be enrolled in a Shorter University Learning Community (LC). At Shorter, your LC is where belonging begins academically, so it serves as the foundational first-year experience for many* of Shorter’s first-year students. LCs build connections between you and your classmates, you and your professors and you and Shorter University. Research indicates that students who take part in a learning community will experience an easier transition to college, gain more satisfaction with their educational experience and be more likely to stay on track to graduate.

*Those exempt from Shorter’s Learning Community experience are students age 22 or older and/or possessing 24+ hours of transferable credit. Otherwise, first-year students are eligible to join a learning community at Shorter.

LCs at Shorter are presented over two semesters – one session in the fall and another in the spring. Each session includes at least two classes that will be completed within the semester, which you take with the same group of 20-25 classmates. This structure, along with support from your peer mentor, is designed to ease your transition to college course work.

Through the online Hawk Orientation registration form, incoming freshmen have the opportunity to indicate your preference of LC placement. It is important that STUDENTS complete the Learning Community selection process on the online form, NOT PARENTS. Because the LC experience impacts a large component of the first year at Shorter, we recommend students to base selection decisions on your own interests and preferences. While Shorter will make every attempt to accommodate the preferences you marked on the online form, there are a number of variables to be considered in placing you in a Shorter Learning Community. Final selection will be assigned based on your preferences, appropriate course placement, individual circumstances and indicated major of study. To register for Hawk Orientation, visit https://secure1.vzorientation.com/shorter/ .

Shorter offers three different types of Learning Community structures: themes, majors and cohorts.

• In the Theme LCs - students will take two courses from Shorter’s Foundations Curriculum (aka “core”) in addition to First Year Seminar I. Tied together often times with integrated coursework and collaborative teaching, themed LCs are the best way to enjoy topics that interest you within the context of Foundations courses at Shorter. You will stay on track with most majors because the themed LCs include courses that satisfy most major requirements.

• In the Major LCs - students will take two courses appropriate to a specific major, as well as First Year Seminar I. Although a major LC is not the only way to be on track with the major, it is an opportunity for students to explore a specific major, meet professors in that department and work with classmates who also plan to study in this area. Major LCs include Foundations course options and some introductory major courses.

• In the Cohort LCs - students will take one Foundations course with the same group they have for First Year Seminar I. Cohort LCs are built around the support and accountability the students create for one another while experiencing the same course schedule, assignments and expectations. If the theme LCs and major LCs do not fit your specific interests, this is an ideal structure for you to still benefit from a learning community experience.

For more information about Learning Communities at Shorter, contact: Scurlock, Gina Freshman Experience Coordinator 706-233-7430 gscurlock@shorter.edu

In addition to the learning in the classroom and fun events as a group, a third essential component to Shorter’s Learning Community experience is the community service opportunities that each LC completes. Check out the list on the LC COMMUNITY SERVICE page to see what previous Learning Communities have completed through their community service projects.

Learning Community Service Projects

In addition to learning in the classroom and fun events as a group, a third essential component to Shorter’s Learning Community experience is the community service opportunities that each LC completes. Some recent service projects have included:

• Completed first-hand archives work for Shorter University
• Hosted dinner & game night for Open Door Home
• Volunteered with Jesus in the Park (food distribution event)
• Put on a Fall Festival that raised funds for St. Jude's
• Participated in SIFE’s canned food drive
• Completed a river clean up with local non-profit

These events are not only a great way to support our local community, but a wonderful chance for fellowship and fun with your classmates.

PREVIOUS LEARNING COMMUNITIES

2011
2010
2009
2008

Photos from previous Service Projects