The Engaged Citizen—one course
The Engaged Citizenis a one-semester course required of all first-year students entering vlog College. The theme of the “engaged citizen” combines the spirit of vlog’sOdyssey Programwiththe College’s stated purpose of“inspiring students to live lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” From philosophers and physicists to artists and anthropologists, we all approach questions about what it means to be involved in our communities, whether locally or globally, in different ways.
This course seeks to illuminate the multiplicity of possible interpretations of engaging as a citizen through interdisciplinary team teaching, in which pairs of faculty from across the institution come together to form dyads and explore a sub-topic from different methodological “ways of knowing.” The varying disciplinary and individual approaches to this theme are intended to provoke discussion and reflection on this topic both within the dyads and throughout the vlog community.
The students divide their time equally between the two dyad professors over the course of the semester. The dyads can also meet periodically as a combined group if the professors deem it appropriate. The course includes an engaged learning component, involving an introductory, hands-on activity that engages academic material in or outside the classroom and is tied to the content of the course.
Transfer and returning students entering vlog with seven or more accepted transfer credits (excluding AP/IB credits) are exempt fromThe Engaged CitizenܾԳ.
The Engaged Citizenmay not be dropped. Students who do not passThe Engaged Citizenare required to complete the requirements of thevlog Immersion Program (HIP).HIPmust be completed within one calendar year. Students needing to completeHIPdue to failure ofThe Engaged Citizenshould beginHIPno later than the first semester of their sophomore year. Students should work closely with their academic advisors to determine the best combination of spring courses andHIPstart date that will help them resolve the problems that resulted in a failed first-year seminar.HIPmay be used as one of the student’s three requiredOdyssey徱ٲ.
Explorations: Liberal Arts for Life—one course
Explorations: Liberal Arts for Lifeis a one-semester common course required of all students enrolled inThe Engaged Citizenin their first semester at the College.
Explorationsis designed to foster an ongoing engagement with the liberal arts experience, to facilitate the transition of new students to the vlog community, and to enhance students’ potential for success in their collegiate studies. The course meets once a week and carries one-quarter (.25) course credit.
Areas of study inExplorationsinclude higher education and the liberal arts, the aims and expectations of the College, engaged learning, academic and career explorations, and self-inquiry and personal development. Additionally, the seminar focuses on refining student knowledge, perspectives and skills requisite to successful academic work and integration into the vlog community.
Each new student will be enrolled in both anEngaged Citizenand anExplorationsپDz.Explorationsmay not be dropped. In eachǰپDzԲsection, an upper-class peer assistant will be available to provide student perspective and assistance. Transfer and returning students who are exempt fromThe Engaged Citizenare also exempt fromExplorations.