Brief Description:
(to be listed in the rubric of GER description)
I. Opening Minds--This is a first semester course that all new students
are expected to take as an introduction to liberal education. Students work
in a collaborative environment with instructors and peers. This course cannot
be counted towards any other UMM requirement. Transfer students who enter
with at least xx* transfer credits that have been earned after high school
graduation are exempt from this requirement.
* It is assumed that the scholastic committee will rule on this at its earliest
convenience.
******
Extended Description: (A stand-alone description in the catalog)
The Common Experience
(Opening Minds)
Version 1--
The Common Experience course aims to facilitate students' transition from
high school to a collegiate environment.
The program fosters collaborative learning in a discussion format. Classes
are to consist of 15-18 students. Individual sections, building on a general
theme, are designed and taught by 15-18 instructors. The course carries
2 semester credits. Each section meets for 100 minutes a week for 15 weeks.
The course consists of two components: a common reading and Convocation(s)
at the outset and the more substantive individualized syllabus based on
the instructor's design. Grading is based on the ABCD-F and S-N systems.
There will be a full review of the program after an initial three year period.
Version 2--
The Common Experience course aims to facilitate students' transition from
high school to a collegiate environment. Special emphasis is placed on themes
which help to sensitize students to the spectrum of ideas which flourish
within the academic setting as well as contemporary society.
While the general theme of the Common Experience course conforms primarily
to issue of human diversity, topical themes will be broad enough to address
the most current and critical subject matters such as ethnic, cultural,
and gender issues. The theme of the CE courses is expected to change at
regular intervals. Where appropriate, students will incorporate these materials
into projects and assignments that generate the common skills needed to
pursue their education at UMM. For example, the development of a well-organized
and well-documented written expression will stem from student participation
in the CE course. To compliment this writing ability as well as to facilitate
the course assignments, students will also benefit from an "Information
Literacy" component which will be accomplished in conjunction with
the instructor and a member of the library and computer center staff.
The program fosters collaborative learning in a discussion format. Classes
are to consist of 15-18 students. Individual sections, building on a general
theme, are designed and taught by 15-18 UMM instructors. The course carries
2 semester credits. Each section meets for 100 minutes a week for 15 weeks.
The course consists of two components: a common reading and Convocation(s)
at the outset and the more substantive individualized syllabus based on
the instructor's design. Grading is based on the ABCD-F and S-N systems.
In addition to an annual assessment of the program, there will be a full
review of the program after an initial three year period.
This first year experience is vital to incoming students who will form some
of their earliest and more lasting impression of college life through the
Common Experience. Hence, all entering freshmen will take the course during
the first semester at UMM.
Prepared by Jooinn Lee, Chair
Common Experience Committee
June 1997