A Learning Community (LC) in University College at Ohio University is a group of no more than 20 students enrolled in a common set of first-year courses. Each LC is designed to satisfy General Education requirements while also introducing courses related to possible majors. The learning communities have been designed to expose first-year students to some of Ohio University’s best courses and instructors. We have carefully constructed them to ensure a balanced schedule related to class size, format, and subject areas. Additional Benefits - a reserved seat in popular, difficult to get courses,
- a way to pursue personal interests while fulfilling graduation requirements,
- facilitation of major and career exploration,
- the feel of a small college network but with the resources of a major university,
- an opportunity to meet and socialize with people who have similar interests,
- increased involvement in the process of learning, both for yourself and your peers,
- a boost to college success,
- a smoother transition to college life.
 Participation Requirements
Because LCs provide so many advantages to first-year students, University College has decided to make the LC experience a defining feature of our college. All first-year students in University College are required to participate in an LC. LC course enrollment is for fall quarter only. With assistance from your academic advisor, you will select a different set of courses for winter and spring quarters.
Fit within Degree Requirements
Undecided students are as concerned about graduating in four years as students with declared majors. In order to earn a degree, all students are required to complete Ohio University’s General Education requirements, a major, and electives in order to reach a minimum of 192 credits. While a major (along with a possible minor or certificate program) provides students with an area of specialty, the General Education requirements provide students with a broad education. Since all Ohio University degrees require completion of the General Education requirements, it is a logical place for first-year students to begin their college education. | | |
Core Course of the Learning Communities
The core course for nearly all the University College Learning Communities is UC 115, the University Experience Course. UC115 is a two-credit-hour first-year student orientation course specifically designed for students who have not yet declared a major. It offers an introduction to resources at Ohio University and strategies for succeeding in college. Some specific topics included in the course are: major and career exploration, academic support resources, time management, academic goal setting, diversity, and academic integrity.
UC 115 is taught by carefully selected instructors who enjoy teaching and mentoring first-year students. The instructor is assisted by a peer mentor who coordinates voluntary out of class social activities as well as study sessions and assists you in your transition to college life. |  |
What Your Learning Community Is Not
- Your LC is not your only means for connecting with peers. In most LCs, students study together, spend time discussing class material, and generally support each other. However, you will have many additional opportunities to meet other students and to participate in co-curricular activities outside your community.
- UC 115 is not an intensive study strategies course. Students who need to hone their study skills are encouraged to enroll in UC 110, Learning Strategies (3 credits).
- Participation in a Learning Community isn't a guarantee of success. Your Learning Community will provide you with many of the tools necessary to make a successful academic transition. However, it is up to you to participate as a positive community member and to make the most of your college experience.
Learning Community Selection Process Once you have applied on-line, you will be assigned a learning community based on your interests. During Precollege in July and August, your Precollege academic advisor will review your LC assignment with you and assist you in selecting one to two additional courses. Most students will have a fall quarter class schedule totaling 14-18 credit hours with approximately two-thirds of those credit hours being in the LC. Advisor approval is required for any LC changes.  | Learning Communities and Your Housing Selection Some students prefer a LC experience that includes living together with other LC members in a common residence hall, or in residence halls located near each other, in order to facilitate out-of-class activities and evening study sessions. Other students prefer to keep their LC involvement and their residence hall selection separate. If you would like to be located in the same, or a nearby, residence hall with other LC members, please indicate that on the LC application.
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University College Learning Community Options:
University College attracts students with a wide variety of interests, so we have created a large selection of Learning Communities to match those interests - more than 25 distinctly different Learning Communities. Although we cannot list all the choices since we are constantly updating and refining our plans, we have listed below some representative examples of past University College Learning Communities so you can get a feel for our likely offerings in Fall Quarter 2008.
You may notice that some of our Learning Community examples include ENG 151 (Freshman Composition), but others do not. All University College students will have priority placement to register for ENG 151 for Fall Quarter. About half of our Learning Communities will take ENG 151 as part of their learning community cluster and the other half will be able to add ENG 151 to their schedule in addition to their LC classes. Either way, for the past several years, nearly all University College first year students have been able to take ENG 151 in the fall quarter if they so desired.
Learning Community Example 1: You are interested in a major in the College of Business and you would like to join a Learning Community of students with similar goals. We have several Learning Communities that will take classes together that meet College of Business requirements such as: Economics 103 (Macroeconomics), Math 113 or 163A (Algebra or Calculus), English 151 (Freshman Composition), PHIL 130 (Ethics), or WS 100 (Women’s Studies). So a typical Exploring Business learning community might take the following classes: UC 115, ECON 103, and PHIL 130. You would pick a fourth class separately based on your individual interests to complete your schedule, maybe ENG 151 (Freshman Composition).
Example 2: You are interested in a major in the Scripps College of Communication and you would like to join a Learning Community of students with similar goals. We have several LCs that will take classes together such as COMS 101 (Fundamentals of Human Communication), COMS 103 (Fundamentals of Public Speaking), and/or JOUR 105 (Introduction to Mass Communication). So a typical Exploring Communications LC might take the following classes: UC 115, COMS 101, and COMS 103. Again, you would pick a fourth class separately.
Example 3: You are interested in the environment and would like to join Learning Community that theme. We have a Learning Community that combines GEOG 201 (Environmental Geography) and PBIO 100 (The World of Plants). This Learning Community in the past has taken several local “field trips” to explore environmental issues in the local Athens community. This LC might consist of UC 115, GEOG 201, and PBIO 100.
Example 4: You have an interest in technology and would like to be part of a Learning Community that focuses on the role of technology in our society. We have Learning Communities that include ITS 101 (Consumer Issues in Communication Systems Management) as well as ITS 201 (Understanding Internet Technology). This LC might consist of UC 115, ITS 101, and ENG 151.
Example 5: You have an interest in the social sciences. We have Learning Communities that include classes such as SOC 101 (Sociology), POLS 101 (American National Government), GEOG 121 (Human Geography), PHIL 101 (Introduction to Philosophy), or HIST 121 (Western Heritage). So a typical social sciences learning community might consist of UC 115, POLS 101, and ENG 151.
Since we require all first year students to join a Learning Community, we will have enough Learning Community space so that all University College students can join one. However, to increase your chances of getting one of your top choices, complete the application on line as soon as possible. |  | |
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