About Feature 1

Learning Communities

Residential Learning Communities, or RLCs, debuted at Marietta College in 2004 as a pilot program that linked English composition with public speaking. The program introduces freshmen to the expectations of higher education while grouping two complementary subjects together. The College expanded the program in the Fall of 2007 to include second-year students.

What Students Say About RLCs:

The best aspect of the RLC was the relationships that we formed with one another that helped foster academic growth. For the classes that we took, it was really beneficial to be friends with the people in the class; it helped us encourage one another, and it also generated positive class discussion.

- Honors RLC Student ‘07

Social benefits: being able to create friends that shared the same work ethic and responsible behavior as I do.

- Honors RLC Student ‘07

click to expandView this year's Residential Learning Community offerings:

2009 RESIDENTIAL LEARNING COMMUNITY SECTIONS

#1 GOING GLOBAL!

FYE 101-02: Learning to Live Among the Locals,
POLS 130-01: Issues in International Politics,
Faculty: Dr. Richard Danford, Modern Languages;
Dr. Mark Schaefer, Political Science

Learning to Live Among the Locals is designed as part of a first-year learning community titled Going Global! The activity in this course will center on what it means to experience culturaldifference, and what is involved in cultural learning. Readings will be drawn from social science research as well as fiction and non-fiction accounts of individuals who have immersed themselves in a culture other than their own. This course is particularly appropriate for students interested in living and/or working in an international environment.

Issues in International Politics is designed to serve as an introduction to the study of world politics through major issues in today’s international system. It will cover political theories and concepts used by political scientists and policy makers. The objectives of this course are to provide students with the ability to apply these concepts and gain a better understanding of the processes and interactions of actors in global politics, thus better understanding the impact of international events and issues upon our day-to-day lives.

This class will cover a broad range of issues such as conflict, terrorism, globalization, economic interdependence, international cooperation, diplomacy, and political ideology. In general the course is designed to help you achieve a better understanding of the world around you. This course is part of a learning community with FYE 101-02. It is our hope that this learning community will help deepen your understanding of cross-cultural relations and conflicts, as well as sources of bridging such divides.

This learning community is particularly appropriate for students interested in living and/or working in an international environment or studying abroad sometime during their time at Marietta College.

Residence:Women will live on Elsie Newton 3rd floor. Men will live on Mary Beach 4th floor.

 

#2 Critical Thinking and Communication: keys to being a successful engineer

FYE 101-03:Critical Thinking and Communication: Keys to Being a Successful Engineer,
COMM 101-07: Fundamentals of Oral Communication,
Faculty: Prof. Dave Freeman, Petroleum Engineering; Dr. Gray-Starner, Communication & Media Studies

Did the butler commit the murder in the study with a knife? Which cell phone plan best meets my needs? Should the National or American League champion be favored to win the 2009 World Series? All of these questions have one thing in common; to correctly answer any one of them requires application of a skill called critical thinking.

In a 1988 work on critical thinking in higher education, Kurfiss defined critical thinking as …an investigation whose purpose is to explore a situation, phenomenon, question, or problem to arrive at a hypothesis or conclusion about it that integrates all available information and that can therefore be convincingly justified. To correctly answer any of the previously mentioned questions requires: exploration, integration of information, arrival at a conclusion, justification of the conclusion.

The ability to think critically is fundamental to the field of engineering. In this section of FYE 101, we will explore the concept of critical thinking and the skills necessary to become good critical thinkers.Through a variety of engaging and interesting exercises we will develop and enhance your critical thinking skills.

In addition to arriving at correct conclusions, good engineers must also be able to effectively communicate those conclusions.By linking this section of FYE to a section of COMM 101, we will also improve the participants’ communication skills through accompanying exercises in a supportive environment.

Enrollment in this course is limited to declared Petroleum Engineering majors.

Residence:Women will live on Marietta Hall 3rd floor. Men will live on Marietta Hall 2nd floor.

 

#3 ROCK OUT AND SPEAK UP!

MASS 194-01: The History of Rock and Roll,
COMM 101-09: Fundamentals of Oral Communication,
Faculty: Prof. Lori Smith, Communication and Media Studies; Dr. Dawn Carusi, Communication and Media Studies

Students will trace the history of Rock 'n Roll music from its rise as a blending of White and African-American music traditions amidst the youth-oriented culture of post-World War II America to its subsequent diversification and internationalization. This history will be viewed in the context of the political, historical, demographic, and cultural forces at work in the modern and post-modern world.

Residence:Women will live on Russell Hall 3rd floor. Men will live on Russell Hall 4th floor.

 

#4 FROM TWITTER TO HDTV: LET’S TALK

MASS 101-02: Media and Society
COMM 101-09: Fundamentals of Oral Communication,
Faculty: Dr. Ali Ziyati, Communication and Media Studies;
Dr. Suzanne Walker, Communication and Media Studies

We are inundated by communication today. If we choose we can be connected 24/7. How can we become critical consumers of media? How can we shape messages that people will listen to? In this learning community we will explore the effects of both mass media and social media on the social and political behavior of the American people. We will learn how to create effective messages that are the foundation of all media. Finally, we will examine an overview of the various mass and social media areas as well as the historical development of various media.

Enrollment in this course is intended for those students interested in exploring majors in one of the communication or mass media areas.

Residence:Women will live on Elsie Newton 2nd floor. Men will live on Mary Beach 3rd floor.

 

#5 INTERNATIONAL Humanitarian INTERVENTION

POLS 194-01: International Humanitarian Intervention,
WRIT 101-04: English Composition,
Faculty: Dr. Mike Tager, Political Science; Dr. Nathan Anderson, English

Since 2003, several hundred thousand people have perished and over two million been driven from their homes in the Darfur region of Sudan. Should the U.S. intervene to address this humanitarian crisis? If so, in what way? This course will examine previous cases of genocide or disaster in Somalia, Rwanda, and Kosovo, and the U.S. responses to them, as well as what’s happening in Darfur currently, to develop some guidelines for whether the U.S. shouldintervene in Darfur. We will try to analyze the problem from several perspectives: political, historical, social-economic, and ethical.

Residence:Women will live on Russell Hall 3rd floor. Men will live on Russell Hall 4th floor.

 

#6 DINOSAURS: FACT AND FICTION

GEOL 105-01: Dinosaurs,
WRIT 101-02: English Composition,
GEOL 194: Optional Dinosaur lab
Faculty: Instructor Veronica Freeman, Geology; Dr. Carolyn Hares-Stryker, English

In this learning community students will explore dinosaurs through fact and fiction. How does what we know about dinosaurs compare to the depiction of dinosaurs in works of fiction? From Jurassic Park to Journey to the Center of the Earth we develop popular visions of dinosaurs. From the scientific community we learn fossil facts.This course introduces the classification of more than 30 common genera of dinosaurs known by their fossilized remains. Trace evidence such as footprints, coprolites, eggs and nests provides information to discuss their behavior as well. Through dinosaur models, colored slides of Marietta College dinosaur expeditions and actual dinosaur bones students will explore the fact behind the fiction. Actual dinosaur bones and data are used in the optional GEOL 194 lab.

Residence:Women will live on Marietta Hall 3rd floor. Men will live on Marietta Hall 2nd floor.

 

#7 FIVE BIG RELIGIONS, FIVE BIG QUESTIONS
Reading, Writing, and Religion

RELI 101-01: Five Big Religions,
WRIT 060-05 Basics of Composition,
FYE 102-01 College Life and Leadership
Faculty: Dr. David Torbett, History and Religion; Prof. David Savola, English,
Ms. Linda Roesch, Instructional Technologist

In Five Big Religions, Five Big Questions students explore the five major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. We will also discuss some of the big religious questions that human being have continually struggle with. Our big questions may include: Is there a God (and can God's existence be proven)? If God exists, why do innocent people suffer? Can different religions be equally true? Is religious non-violence possible (or necessary)? What happens to us when we die? In the past two years, the 060 learning community has been very successful in helping students connect what they learn in Basics of Composition to writing papers for other courses. Most importantly it has helped students develop confidence about writing skills.

Enrollment in this course is restricted to those with a 19 or below on their ACT Verbal or 449 or below on the SAT Verbal.

Residence: Women will live on Russell Hall 3rd floor. Men will live on Russell Hall 2nd floor.

 

#8 CONNECTING AND COMMUNICATING: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION

MIS 194-01: Information Technology and Globalization,
COMM 101-04: Fundamentals of Oral Communication,
Faculty: Prof. Jeremy Wang, Business and Economics;
Prof.Alane Sanders, Communication and Media Studies

This Learning Community introduces students to the basics of InformationTechnology (IT) and its important role in the process of globalization fromeconomic, business, cultural and social perspectives.  Students will explore a series of events behind the IT revolution which is reshaping the economies and social lives of many countries around the world. By the end of this course, students will have a basic but sound understanding of the Internet and World Wide Web, which facilitate the expansion of products, services, ideas, and resources among different nations and create efficient and effective communication channels to exchange information. Students will acquire hands-on skills using various online collaboration tools to explore the rich international resources at Marietta College and interact with students from other countries. Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to develop effective oral presentations through which they will communicate their understanding of key issues related to information technology and globalization.

Residence:Women will live on Marietta Hall 3rd floor. Men will live on Marietta Hall 2nd floor.

 

2009 LEARNING COMMUNITY SECTIONS
(Non-Residential)

 

#9 HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

HIST 220-02: Human Geography,
WRIT 060-02: Basics of Composition,
FYE 102-02: College Life and Leadership
Faculty: Dr. Matthew Young, History; Prof. David Savola, English, Ms. Amanda Haney-Cech, Academic Resource Center

Introduction to the discipline of human geography, the study of where and why human activities are located where they are. The course is designed around important issues within the field of human geography, including globalization, population, religion, language, resource issues, and development. In the past two years, the 060 learning community has been very successful in helping students connect what they learn in Basics of Composition to writing papers for other courses. Most importantly it has helped students develop confidence about writing skills.

 

#10 INTRO to BIOLOGY

BIOL 105-05: Introduction to Biology Lab 1,
BIOL 105-07:Modern Biology
Faculty: Dr. Steve Spilatro, Biology; Dr. Dave McShaffrey, Biology

This learning community combines laboratory and lecture sections to explore scientific principles important to the modern world and the use of scientific methodology. The lecture section introduces fundamental biological topics, including ecology, evolution, heredity, cell replication and human reproduction. The lab section introduces students to the diversity of life forms in the biological Kingdoms, and allows students to apply the principles of scientific methodology, including critical observation, experimental design, and data analysis, presentation and interpretation. Quizzes, Exams, homework assignments, and lab reports required.

 

DISCIPLINE-BASED TOPIC SECTIONS

The following courses are built around topics of interest to students who may be interested in specific fields of study. In each course you will work on making the academic transition to college by receiving guidance in pursuing a major in your specific area of interest. You will make connections with faculty and other freshmen interested in that particular field of study.

 

#11 AN INTRODUCTION TO PETROLEUM GEOLOGY, EXPLORATION, DRILLING AND PRODUCTION

FYE 101-04 Faculty:Dr. Bob Chase, Petroleum Engineering

This course provides an overview of the history of the oil and gas industry and its impact on the world economy, global power relations, and politics. An examination of the ethics of the petroleum industry will be included, as well as a look at the impact of the industry on the environment and the economy. Textbook readings, videos, news media, guest speakers from industry, and field trips will be utilized in the class.

Enrollment in this course is limited to declared Petroleum Engineering majors.

 

#12 Introduction to health science Professions

FYE 101-05 Faculty: David Marchetti, Sports Medicine

If you want a career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives, you may want to choose a health care profession. According to CNN Money magazine, the many fields of health care will be among the fastest-growing employment areas between now and 2014. This course will introduce you to the culture of Marietta College and its health profession programs. Marietta College offers a variety of professional and pre-professional programs in health care fields. This class will help you determine if a health care profession is right for you and which area best fits your interests and skills. Readings, writings, discussions and field experiences will be used to examine the common values, ethics, responsibilities and expectations of the health professional.

Enrollment in this course is intended for those interested in students interested in exploring health science careers.

 

#13 Principles of Education

EDUC 110 Faculty: Dr. Connie Golden, Education

Historical, social, and philosophical foundations of education, including critical evaluation of contemporary educational trends, leading to clarification of individual teacher’s beliefs, values and ethics involved in purposes, content, methods, and appraisal of teacher’s role in public schools. Course includes basic school law and its influences, education policy and its influences, and the socio-cultural interplay of schools and society.

Enrollment in this course is intended for those interested in students interested in exploring an Education major.

 

#14 Introduction to Music Education

MUED 110-01 Faculty: Dr. Dan Monek, Music

This course introduces the student to the historical, social and philosophical foundations of music education including critical evaluation of contemporary trends leading to a clarification of an individual teacher's philosophy of music education and professional ethics. The course includes an introduction to basic law and educational policy in the US and the socio-cultural interplay of schools and society.

Enrollment in this course is intended for those students interested in exploring a Music Education major or a Music major or minor.