Learning Communities

For Students taking MATH 001 and ENGL 004
For DUS Students entering Smeal and taking ENGL 015
For DUS Students exploring more than one major and taking ENGL 015
For Education Majors 

For students who:

1. Will be taking Math 001

2. Will be taking English 004

"Academic Success"

This Learning Community comprises the following courses:

  • Effective Speech (CAS 126) (3 credits), MWF 12:00-12:50PM (Schedule #487882)
  • Basic Writing (ENGL 004) (3 credits), TR 9:25-10:40PM (Schedule #487972) (3 credits)
  • Developmental Math (MATH 001) (5 credits), MW 9:00-9:50AM and TR 10:50-12:05AM (Schedule # 492364)

These courses taken together make up the fall semester and are intended for students who place into MATH 001 and ENGL 004.  The purpose of ENGL 004 is to provide a fundamental introduction to college-level writing. Students will sharpen basic writing skills through the development of papers centered on sophisticated subject matter. The finer points of grammar and usage will also be reviewed.  These students will take PSU 005 in the Spring of 2011.

For DUS Students who plan to:

1. Enter a Smeal College of Business Major

2. Will be taking English 015 and or BI SC 004

"DUS Smeal for Real"

This Learning Community comprises the following courses and is intended for DUS students who plan to enter a Smeal College of Business major:

  • Human Body (BI SC 004) (3 credits), MWF 10:00-10:50AM (Schedule #487708)
  • Rhetoric & Composition (ENGL 015) (3 credits), MWF 12:00-12:50PM (Schedule #488014)
  • First-Year Seminar (PSU 005) (1 credit), F 11:00-11:50AM (Schedule #493111)
  • Introductory Microeconomics (ECON 002) (3 credits), MW 4:30-5:45PM (Schedule #491311)
  • Mathematics - schedule one of the following:
    • College Algebra I (MATH 021) (3 credits), MWF 9:00-9:50PM (Schedule #492376)
    • College Algebra II (MATH 022) (3 credits), MWF 2:30-3:20PM (Schedule #492400)
    • Technical Calculus 1 (MATH 110) (4 credits), M 3:30-4:20PM and TR 3:05-4:20PM (Schedule #492601)
Or students may take:
  • Human Body (BI SC 004) (3 credits), MWF 10:00-10:50AM (Schedule #487708)
  • First-Year Seminar (PSU 005) (1 credit), M 3:30-4:20PM (Schedule #512383)
  • Introductory Microeconomics (ECON 002) (3 credits), MW 4:30-5:45PM (Schedule #491311)
  • Mathematics - schedule one of the following:
    • College Algebra I (MATH 021) (3 credits), MWF 9:00-9:50PM (Schedule #492376)
    • College Algebra II (MATH 022) (3 credits), MWF 2:30-3:20PM (Schedule #492400)

Human Body (BI SC 004) introduces students to biological principles fundamental to understanding human life. Cell structure, biochemistry and metabolism, the structure and function of major organ systems, and human genetics are explored in the course. Special emphasis on the relationship of the functioning of the human body to human disease is also stressed.

All Penn State students are required to take ENGL 015. By signing up for the first option of this Learning Community, you will satisfy the ENGL 015 requirement. The purpose of ENGL 015 is to develop the rhetorical and analytical skills necessary to perform successfully in writing assignments throughout the college experience.  You will also enhance your ability to argue and think critically.  This section of ENGL 015 will explore some issues related to human disease that relate directly to BISC 004.

All Business majors are required to take ECON 002 and mathematics through MATH 110.  ECON 002 discusses methods of economic analysis and their use, price determination, theory of the firm and distribution. Students should schedule the appropriate mathematics course based on their math placement test results.

Fulfilling course requirements is not the only benefit. As part of the community, you will have the opportunity to: engage in fruitful dialogue to discuss a variety of current issues related to the human body; form study groups with classmates; and participate in related out-of-class activities.

Every new Penn State student must also take a First-Year Seminar within the first year of enrollment. By signing up for this Learning Community, you will satisfy the First-Year Seminar (PSU 005) general education requirement and one natural science requirement for non-science majors (BI SC 004). 

For DUS Students Who:

1. Plan to explore more than one academic major before deciding on a major

2. Will be taking ENGL 015

"Discover House"

The DISCOVER HOUSE is a living-learning opportunity for students who wish to explore more than one academic option before deciding on a major.  DISCOVER HOUSE is a community of 20 first-year DUS students who have been offered residential housing at Penn State Berks.  In addition to the typical social and informational programming provided for first-year students, this innovative residential life experience includes special programs and advising to support students in investigating academic majors and careers.  It is an ideal environment for beginning university life and for discovering how you want to shape your education. 

DISCOVER HOUSE students would be enrolled in the following courses:

  • Rhetoric and Composition (ENGL 015) (3 credits), MWF 10:00-10:50AM (Schedule #487999)
  • First-Year Seminar (PSU 005) (1 credit), M 11:00-11:50 AM (Schedule #509146)
  • International Cultures through Literature & Film (CMLIT 153) (3 credits), MWF 12:00-12:50PM (Schedule #499030)

All Penn State students are required to take English 015 (ENGL 015). Every new Penn State student must also take a First-Year Seminar within the first year of enrollment. By signing up for this Learning Community, you will satisfy the English 015 and the First-Year Seminar (PSU 005) general education requirements.

For Education Majors:

"Teaching & Learning"

This Learning Community is designed specifically for Education majors and comprises courses that all elementary and many secondary education majors are required to complete.  You will choose one additional course in addition to the courses listed below to make up your full class schedule for the Fall Semester. 

  • Issues in American Education (EDTHP 115A) (3 credits), MWF 8:00-8:50PM, (Schedule #499048)
  • Rhetoric and Composition (ENGL 015) (3 credits), MWF 2:30-3:20 PM, (Schedule #487987)
  • Introductory Field Experience (C I 295) (3 credits), MW 3:30-4:20PM & TR 9:00-11:45AM, (Schedule #487783)
  • Statistical Concepts and Reasoning (STAT 100) (3 credits), MWF 11:00-11:50AM, (Schedule #493306)
  • First Year Seminar (PSU 005) (1 credit), F 9:00-9:50 AM, (Schedule #493126)

OR:

  • Issues in American Education (EDTHP 115A) (3 credits), MWF 12:00-12:50 PM, (Schedule #499048)
  • Rhetoric and Composition (ENGL 004) (3 credits), MWF 2:30-3:20 PM, (Schedule #487981)
  • Introductory Field Experience (C I 295) (3 credits), MW 10:00-10:50AM & TR 9:00-11:45AM, (Schedule #487780)
  • Statistical Concepts and Reasoning (STAT 100) (3 credits), MWF 11:00-11:50AM, (Schedule #493306)
  • First Year Seminar (PSU 005) (1 credit), F 9:00-9:50 AM, (Schedule #499876)

Learning Community for First Year Education Majors.  The Learning Community will be comprised of courses required for first semester students in elementary education, secondary education?social studies, and secondary education?English..  The same 40 students will be in all of the courses although they will be divided into two sections for Engl 015, C I 295 and PSU 5 in order to meet the class size guidelines for these courses.  Students will choose one three-credit course for their schedule in addition to the 13 credits in the Learning Community because feedback from the previous participants in the learning community recommended that they don?t take all of the same courses in their first semester.

Here are the details about the courses. All Penn State students are required to take English 015. Elementary and secondary education majors must complete Education in American Society (EDTHP 115) and an introductory field experience course (C I 295). Every new Penn State student must also take a First-Year Seminar (PSU 005). By signing up for this Learning Community, you will be satisfying the ENGL 015, two education courses , the First-Year Seminar requirements, and a math requirement (STAT 100).

The field experience will occur two mornings a week at nearby elementary schools. Carpooling will be arranged if you don?t have a car. Those of you who have a car and can provide transportation will be reimbursed for mileage.