The evolution of learning communities in higher education during the last decade is one of the most exciting, academically challenging, student friendly developments in years. A learning community at Buffalo State is a block of courses that explores a complex theme through four or five classes. The faculty in these courses work to demonstrate how their particular course reflects the theme and connects to the learning in the other courses. Beyond this students take all of these courses together. Students form friendships that last beyond graduation because of the strong connections they form. Equally as important, students learn the material at a deeper level because students spend more time discussing ideas and working to master the lessons.
Two floors of a residence hall have been dedicated to the learning communities program and include lounge space, a new kitchen, a computer lab, and an office for learning community professors—so they can spend some time there, too. While many students choose to live in the residence hall designated for learning communities, commuter students are welcome to take part as well. Commuter students have access to the residence hall during certain hours and can consider it a "home away from home."
Each learning community includes a section of CWP 101, the basic writing course required of most freshmen, BSC 101, the general education course required of all freshmen, and three classes that fulfill a portion of the college's General Education Core requirements. One of the goals of the learning communities program is to encourage students to appreciate the interrelationships between many subjects, despite their apparent differences. Faculty members work together to emphasize these connections and to use the learning community theme as a "thread" to tie them together. Each learning community also includes a one-credit "integrated hour." All of the instructors and students in a learning community meet for an hour each week to talk about connections in the course material. This time is also used to discuss questions or concerns about adapting to college life or to share experiences that advance the theme of the learning community.
Any student in any major can participate in a learning community. Both resident and commuter students can participate in learning communities. Students in special programs such as athletics, honors, EOP, etc, can also participate with their advisor’s approval. All of the courses will count toward graduation. While all full time first-year students can participate, a learning community is a particularly good idea for a student if . . .
- you have scheduling flexibility in your degree program.
- you are not working more than 20 hours per week.
- you are new to the Buffalo area.
Learning communities are academically challenging and extremely rewarding. There are few ways to be introduced to a scholarly community and the intellectual life that can match learning communities. Click any of the headings to the left to see the learning communities offered for Fall 2007.
