Abstract:

Through an interdisciplinary model students are afforded the opportunity to be part of a learning community consisting of three linked core courses including science, sociology, and a first year experience course. Within this learning community students follow the SENCER (science education for new civic engagement and responsibility) model that looks at a civic issue and through the three courses design a plan that will be implemented at the assigned community agency.

After a brief outline of the topic within the freshmen first year experience course, the students will brainstorm within a small group from the learning community to create an interdisciplinary approach to solve a civic problem.

Over the course of the fall 2015 semester, students will be able to apply what they have learned within their three interdisciplinary courses to the community agencies through their civic engagement as well as design a plan to implement within their community agency with each group sharing their approach to the entire class.

Keywords:

Experiential Learning, Learning Communities, Civic Engagement.