Academic Learning Community for Human Sciences
Academic Learning Communities are designed for students who share common interests, attitudes, and academic goals. As a member of the Academic Learning Community for Human Sciences, you are displaying an interest in serving others while developing as a student and future professional. Within our learning community, you will be enrolled in linked courses, live in a residential community, engage in mentoring with a peer and faculty member, and participate in service opportunities. The purpose of the Human Sciences Academic Learning Community is to enhance your experience as a Lumberjack while ensuring your academic and future success!
The Human Sciences Academic Learning Community is limited to 24 Human Sciences majors. If you are interested in joining our learning community, you must be a first-time freshman majoring in one of our Human Sciences programs. You can apply for the learning community by completing the online application.
Requirements of the Academic Learning Community
Membership in the Human Sciences Academic Learning community requires students to participate in ALL aspects of the program. If a student does not agree to participate in all components of the Academic Learning Community or meet eligibility requirements, they will forfeit their spot and benefits associated with the program. The requirements are outlined below:
Eligibility
All members of the Academic Learning Community must be first-time freshman. This is not exclusive of dual credit or early college high school coursework! Additionally, members of the Academic Learning Community must be a major within the School of Human Sciences.
Linked Course Enrollment
All members must be enrolled in the courses outlined in the Academic Learning Community Courses section of this page. These courses are required for the program and must be taken consecutively and in the order listed below.
Residential Learning Community
All members of the HMSC Academic Learning Community will be required to live in the Residential Learning Community reserved for our program. This component of our program allows students to build strong friendships outside of the classroom to provide enhanced support. For the fall 2020 semester, the Residential Learning Community selected for our program is Lumberjack Village Building #2.
Mentorship
All members will be required to participate in Peer Mentoring and Faculty Mentoring throughout their first year. Members will be paired with an upperclassmen student who shares the same major and a Faculty member in their area of study as well. Visit our Mentoring page to learn about the opportunities that will be available to you!
Service
All members will be required to participate in two service projects; one each semester in their first year. These projects will be associated with the Academic Learning Community Courses in bridging theoretical knowledge and application in the human sciences field.
Academic Learning Community Courses
Three of your first year courses will be exclusively with other Human Sciences majors who are members of the Academic Learning Community. These courses are taught by Professors who have extensive experience in working with students transitioning to college. Below is an outline of your first-year courses required in the Academic Learning Community:
Fall Semester:
HMSC 1100 Foundations in Human Sciences (3 credit hours): This course is a core course required for all majors in the School of Human Sciences. This is an introduction course to human sciences professions, knowledge base, concepts in human sciences and related career opportunities. This course aligns with the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Body of Knowledge. Regardless of your major within the School of Human Sciences the following commonalities unify our programs and serve as the foundation for our professional practice:
- Addressing basic human needs; developing strong families; promoting individual well-being and wellness; understanding community vitality; creating capacity building; teaching resource development and sustainability; evaluating life course development; engaging in appropriate use of technology; and identifying implications of global interdependence.
SFAS 1101 Freshman Success (1 credit hour): This course provides study and practice in methods for success in college. Students will develop critical thinking skills to enhance their time and money management, goal setting and career planning abilities. The course also provides an introduction to university resources and regulation. Within the course, the students will:
- Construct a strategy for accessing and evaluating information; identify campus and community service opportunities; develop personal survival skills; argue the value of a college education; demonstrate working successfully with others; and enhance their pride in their institution, department, major and career field.
Spring Semester:
HMSC 3300 Professional Leadership in Human Sciences (3 credit hours): This course is a core course required for all majors in the School of Human Sciences. This course encompasses the study of professional leadership philosophy through the evaluation of leadership theory in relation to practices within human sciences. The student will develop a comprehensive understanding of one's self as a leader through critical reflective thought in bridging personal and professional development The topics covered in the course related to professional leadership functions are:
- Understand and apply life skills development; business protocol and etiquette; career preparation through professional branding; evaluate the meaning of the AAFCS Professional Code of Ethics in the workplace; create a leadership profile to synthesize experiences; learn about change management and best practices; investigate corporate culture in relation to human sciences fields.
Professional Development
As a member of the Human Sciences Academic Learning Community, you will have the opportunity to participate in community and campus service events. A tenet of the human sciences field is meeting people's basic needs. It's important that you embody the drive to assist others and give back to those in times of need. Additionally, these events will allow you to enhance your employability by developing transferable skills that employers want!
Through these events in conjunction with your courses, you can expect to develop the ability to professionally communicate, enhance your problem-solving and decision-making skills, learn the importance of flexibility, and gain awareness of the needs within our field now and for the future.
Why join the Human Sciences Academic Learning Community?
Academic Learning Communities are a tried and true method to enhance a student's experience in college. Within the Academic Learning Community, you will develop a deep connection to your classmates and Professors, along with a strong support system. Additionally, Academic Learning Communities have been proven to:
- Lead to higher academic outcomes, such as higher Grade Point Averages and persistence rates;
- Lead to higher fulfillment within your college career;
- Create a cohesive network of students, Professors and Professionals committed to your success;
- Provide succinct curriculum through the courses;
- Enhance the career development and exploration process
The question now becomes, "Why wouldn't you join?". Complete the online application now to reserve your spot!
