Social Engagement Learning Community

We invite you to take part in a dynamic Learning Community as part of your first-year experience.  Students selected for the Social Engagement LC will be part of a cohesive academic and social environment committed to civic engagement and social activism. This community is open to any first-year student but may seem most interesting to students passionate about human rights, political science, legal studies, women’s studies, or similar interdisciplinary experiences. Students in this LC are devoted and zealous about something!

Students in the Social Engagement LC will learn:

• how to challenge their comfort zone and engage with a diverse community of peers

• how to analyze research and conduct research of their own

• how to critically assess social movements and civic issues

Social Engagement Previous Programs:

During the 2011-2012 academic year the Social Engagement LC attended many exclusive programs together. These programs were designed by the Social Engagement LC faculty to enhance their classroom curriculum. These programs were free to Social Engagement LC students. While these programs often change from year to year, this list of programs should give you a better idea of the kinds of events you can attend with your LC.

- International film screening of "Persepolis" followed by dinner
- "The Addams Family" at the Fox Theatre in downtown St. Louis
- Thursday movie nights sponsored by the Year of International Human Rights

Social Engagement LC Courses:

Student in each learning community must take all of the courses in a cohort.

FRSH 1200 Social Responsibility

Popular culture is full of images of social problems: crime, poverty, discrimination, urban decay, domestic violence, and more. Global political leaders discuss problems with many social institutions, such as education, the economy, and health care, that contribute to social problems. Students will explore their places of privilege and advantage, and how they can use those assets to address social problems.

HRTS 1100 Introduction to Human Rights

Introduces students to the philosophic and political background of the concept of human rights. Discusses important documents as part of the history of the development of human rights theories. Examines important issues in current political and ethical debates about human rights.

ANSO 2560 Social Movements

This course is an exploration of the general characteristics of classic and modern social movements. Students will analyze the problems of recruitment, organization, duration, institutionalization, and ideology.

Spring Semester

WRIT 2072 Writing for Change

This course will emphasize how to rhetorically analyze a writing situation and then plan and craft an effective message. Students will engage in frequent peer workshops to discuss drafts of each other’s writing.