|
Check
this webpage regularly for updated postings of FAQs and
answers:
Q: What is a Learning Community?
A: A Learning
Community is a small group of student residents that share
an interest in an
area of academic concentration. Because of their membership
in an individual Learning Community, these students both
reside and work together closely. The year-long experience
of Learning Community students includes work with select
faculty in special courses in a thematic
area.
Q: Can I be in the Learning Community
throughout my undergraduate career at UGA?
A: The Learning Community program is for
one year only. The Learning Community program is only for
first-year students.
Q: Do I have to participate in
the Learning Community in both Fall and Spring semesters
of my first year?
A: The Learning Community program is set
up as a year-long experience. Members of each Learning Community
are expected to work together and participate in the courses
in both Fall and Spring semesters. In Fall semester, the
coursework involves the freshman seminar and two core classes
(one course in the academic area, along with English composition). In
Spring semester, the only shared course is the 1-credit freshman
seminar, which focuses on the service-learning project. When
applying for the program, you should plan to participate
both semesters. Q: What
are the advantages of participating in the Learning Communities?
Why should I participate in the Learning Communities?
A: Learning Communities offer a chance to be part of
something interesting, unique, and exciting at UGA. Student
enjoyment, involvement, and achievement are all usually
enhanced by participation in Learning Community programs. Students have stated the Learning Community has become their UGA family.
Q: I have a friend from high school
that I want to live with in the residence halls. Will
I have to live with someone from the learning community
or may I live with my friend? Will my friend have
to be in the Learning Community as well?
A: You may apply to housing to
have your friend as your roommate. Your friend does not
have to be in the Learning Community. However, because
you are a Learning Community member, you and your friend
would be assigned to Creswell Hall, the host site of the Learning Communities.
Q: Will my roommate in Creswell
Hall be another student from the same Learning Community?
A: Although members of each Learning Community are grouped
in proximity, they are not intentionally assigned as roommates,
unless by mutual request.
Q: I'm an Honors student
and want to live in Myers Hall. Can I still participate
in the Learning Communities?
A: No, most students in the Learning
Communities are housed in Creswell
Hall for their entire
first year. However, Honors
students not living in Myers
Hall are welcome to apply to the Learning Community program.
Q: Can
I participate both in Freshman College Summer Experience
and in the Learning Communities?
A: No, students who participate
in the Freshman College
Summer Experience live in Russell
Hall during their first year. There are no Learning Communities in Russell Hall.
Q: What
fees (membership or entry fees) are associated with Learning
Communities?
A: At this time, no extra fees
are required for membership in the Learning Communities
above and beyond the regular housing costs, tuition,
and related expenses.
Q: Is there a scholarship associated
with membership in the Learning Community?
A: No scholarships are associated with
Learning Communities. You should contact the Financial
Aid office at UGA for general information about scholarships
and other forms of financial assistance..
Q: Why
should I indicate more than my #1 top choice on the application
form? Why not?
A: For many students, more than
one Learning Community may be a good fit. Most Learning
Communities are intended to be inclusive and can accommodate
the interests of a broad range of members. In your undergraduate
studies, you will get to explore a wide spectrum of subjects. You
should at least consider ranking other Learning Communities,
in case your top choice becomes filled to capacity since
each Learning Community is composed of only 20 students. If
there is a Learning Community that you are definitely not interested
in, make sure to select the "Not Interested" choice
from
the
pull-down menu! We don't want to try to assign you to
a Learning Community that you do not wish to consider. So,
if you are only interested in 2 Learning Communities, only
rank those 2.
Q: Is
there a specific orientation session during the summer
of 2008 that I should go to?
A: A few orientation sessions are
designed for students participating in the first-year residential
Learning Communities. It is strongly recommended that
these students attend these sessions. Block registration
for the clas ses that are part of each Learning Communities
makes orientation much easier. Check our website page
for specific information about orientation
sessions.
Q: Will I get to register early
for classes?
A: The classes that students in each Learning
Community take together have spaces reserved just for Learning
Community members. Some of these classes (e.g. the freshman
seminar and the English composition course) are composed
solely of the members of a particular Learning Community - these
are part of the live and learn opportunity! Registration
for these courses is set as a pre-defined block, which makes
going through registration at orientation easier. You still
have to register at orientation for your other Fall semester
courses, so this is not early registration, just easier registration.
Q: Are the three courses that are
part of each Learning Community all the classes that
I will take in the Fall semester? What about Spring
semester?
A: The three courses for each Learning
Community will only be part of your class schedule. The
freshman seminar is a 1-unit class. The two core courses
(English composition and an academic offering in the Learning
Community area) together are 6-7 units. Entering students
typically take a total of 14-15 units. Accordingly,
Learning Community students generally take 2-3 more courses,
in addition to their Learning Community classes. In Spring
semester, the sole course for each Learning Community is
the 1-unit freshman seminar devoted to the service-learning
project.
Q: What is a service-learning
project? I understand that this is the main focus of the
freshman seminar in Spring semester.
A: A service-learning component of a course
is a community-based project that has an emphasis on the
student's major or career goals. For the Learning Communities,
the service-learning project will focus on the area of academic
concentration for that group. Some projects may be conducted
by individuals, some by small groups, or some by the entire
group, depending on the directions decided by the lead instructor
and the members of the particular Learning Community. Service-learning
is a great way to extend your studies and make a difference
in the community. Q: What happens if I exempt English
I (ENGL 1101) through the placement exam? Can I still
be in the Learning Community? What if I exempt both
English I (ENGL 1101) and English II (ENGL 1102)?
A: The section of English composition
for each Learning Community can accommodate students enrolled
in either English I (ENGL 1101) or English II (ENGL 1102). Accordingly,
Learning Community members who in either English I or II
can still be together. Students who exempt both English
courses - a relatively infrequent occurrence - are not
disqualified from being in a Learning Community, but will
have fewer opportunities for interactions with other Learning
Community members.
Q: I think I may exempt the first
semester of Freshman Chemistry. Can I still participate
in the Life Sciences Learning Community?
A: If you have exempted Freshman Chemistry
(CHEM 1211-L) by Advanced Placement, then you would be unable
to take the course that is an important component of the Life
Sciences Learning Community. Other members of the Life
Sciences Learning Community will be placed in a common laboratory
section, which will promote interaction, learning, and a
sense of belonging. While exempting Freshman Chemistry does
not disqualify you for being in the Life Sciences Learning
Community, you might want to look into one
of the other Learning Communities, if you think you may
exempt this course. Some other Learning Community may be
focused on another subject of special interest to you. For
many students, more than one Learning Community may be a
good fit. Indeed,
most Learning Communities are pretty broad and inclusive.
Q: What happens if I exempt Political Science (POLS 1101) through the AP Credit for American Government? Can I still be in the Pre-Law Learning Community?
A: If you have exempted Political Science (POLS 1101) by Advanced Placement, then you would be unable to take the course that is an important component of the Pre-Law Learning Community. Other members of the Learning Community will be participating in POLS 1101, which will promote interaction, learning, and a sense of belonging. While exempting POLS 1101 does not disqualify you for being in the Pre-Law Learning Community, you might want to look into one of the other Learning Communities.
Q: I'm planning on pursuing a degree
in engineering or music and understand that the schedule of courses
for such majors is pretty structured and does not leave
much room for other classes. Should I consider a Learning
Community in some area of my interest?
A: Scheduling problems for students
taking the engineering or music curriculum suggest that the Learning
Community program may not be their best choice. Check
out some of the other
residential learning opportunities to see if some alternative is better for you.
Q: I heard that Learning Communities
only just began at UGA in 2004-2005. What do
the current participants think of them?
A: In 2004-2005,
there were only 4 Learning Communities. The responses from
members have been overwhelmingly positive. Even students
who did not get their top choice were grateful that they
went ahead
and participated in another Learning Community. Students
have enjoyed working together, getting to know faculty,
interacting with the great residential staff and peer advisors,
and just having a great time fitting in at UGA with a group
that shares their interests! The live
and learn opportunity promises to be even better in 2008-2009.
Feedback, questions or accessibiity issues: swilder@uga.edu
|
