2. Big Brother's Brave New World: Media Politics in the 21St Century

1. “Lift Ev’ry Voice!"

Description: Have you ever wondered why most conversations about race, ethnicity, and identity are inadequate? Maybe you’ve asked yourself, “Why can’t I find words to adequately describe what I see every day?” If so, join Tracy Pena, Sean Palmer, and Dr. Emmanuel D. Harris, for a semester long immersion into the topic of race through both African American Studies and Psychology courses. From an interdisciplinary approach, students can expect to participate in cultural events and discussions that widen knowledge about African-American culture and heritage. Using a psycho-social perspective, students can also expect to examine how race and race relations in our society affect the individual. Historical and modern day events will set the backdrop for inquiry and analysis. Finally, students can expect, and are encouraged, to bring their voice and find their voice. So, if you are looking for an engaging, critical, and innovative exploration of race and psychology, we encourage you to join us for “Lift Ev’ry Voice!" *You cannot choose this as an option if you have taken (and scored a 4 or better) on AP Psychology or a 5 or better on IB HL, or are transferring in credit for an introductory Psychology course.

2. Big Brother's Brave New World: Media Politics in the 21st Century

Description: In the age of 'fake news' and social media, how do citizens engage with media and politics? Equally – perhaps more – importantly, how should citizens engage with media and politics? In this CLC, students will answer these questions with input from communications studies and political science. Students will explore the structures, systems, effects, conventions, and genres of contemporary media in Communication Studies 160. The emphasis of this course is on improving media literacy to foster critical and educated consumption of media. From political science, students will examine contemporary political issues particularly related to the rise of fake news and partisan news in the 24-hour news cycle in Political Science 202. The goal of this CLC is to foster and create critical media literacy and engaged citizens for the 21st Century.

3. Kafka at the Movies: Film Studies and German Literature

Description: As a learning community we will explore the depths of the human soul as expressed in great works of German literature (in English) with a solid foundation in film studies. In the German literature course (GER 209) you will experience some of the best writers in Western culture to whom, with the exception of Kafka, you were probably not exposed during your high school years. In the film studies course (FST 110) you will learn to be an active “reader” of film style and narrative as we analyze how German and American filmmakers elicit an audience response in films ranging from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) to The Reader (2008). Having German literature paired with a film class will allow us to look at the adaptation and transformation of literary themes into cinematic form. You will gain a rich understanding of how art crosses both mediums and cultural boundaries. The interdisciplinary approach will benefit students both in their understanding of basic cinematic and literary concepts and their ability to critically analyze the interaction between these two artistic forms. Joint assignments will involve presentations and papers examining how each medium uses its unique tools to shape a common plot or theme.

5. Bugles, Belles & Bullets: The Fact and Fiction of the American Civil War

Description: The deadliest war in American history is known by many, primarily Southern, names. Some of them are “The Late Unpleasantness,” “The War of Northern Aggression,” “The Lost Cause,” The Brothers’ War,” and “The War Against Slavery.” Whatever the name, there is little doubt that the war fractured the United States and that the time period was rife with nationalism, inflammatory language and tales of suffering and hardship. Some of this fracture and hostility is in evidence almost 150 years later. The literature of and about this period reflects the history and the war’s impact on both individuals and cultures. The short stories, poetry and drama in Eng 290 will often parallel the studies in HST 105 and since we live in a historically significant area, there will be field trips as well as study of pertinent original documents. From a historical standpoint, we will examine the causes of the Civil War as well as social, military and political aspects of the war itself and its aftermath. *You cannot choose this as an option if you have taken (and scored a 4 or better) or plan to take the AP test for U.S. History.

6. The Explorers: Cultural Anthropology and Global Citizenship - this learning community is full for fall 2016.

Description: Using the classroom as a portal, students will investigate the diversity of different ethnicities, cultures, and societies and explore how societies create their own social, cultural, and political norms. This learning community will specifically focus on themes of coming of age, survival, social justice, displacement, crisis and other events that help to shape cultural and personal identity, perceptions, and adaptations, including adapting to college life. Through reading literature and texts, viewing documentaries, engaging in discussions, and participating in projects, students will also be challenged to enhance their understanding of their own cultures and identity, to confront their own cultural bias, and to consider their roles as global citizens. Students will engage in a service learning project with our local refugee resettlement agency, and background checks will be required to participate. Students will be sent instructions regarding this process over the summer 2017; there is no additional cost.*You cannot choose this as an option if you have taken (and scored a 5 or better) or plan to take the IB HL exam for Anthropology.

RESIDENTIAL

Education Learning Community:The Education Learning Community (ELC) provides first-year, future teachers a residential learning community that supports academic, social, and educational development. ELC participants will have the opportunity to live with other pre-education majors in Schwartz Hall, and share two of the same classes: EDN 203 Psychological Foundations of Teaching and UNI 101 First-Year Seminar. In addition, students in the ELC will attend seminars together, connect with Watson faculty and staff, and participate in education field experiences prior to being admitted into the Watson College of Education. Students will engage in various activities on and off campus that explore cultural diversity, educational growth, and establish lifelong friendships.

Hollywood East:The Hollywood East Learning Community is a community geared toward students with creative interests and skills in music, creative writing, acting, and/or film or television production. Students will gain a more focused exploration of the Arts and will work toward creating original productions to be displayed to the UNCW community. These projects will be short films or other commercial products or public service messages through which students can apply their creative talents of writing, developing a screenplay, creating a musical score, or producing the technical elements of a final production. Students in this community will reside in Schwartz Hall and take FST 210 - Moviemakers and Scholars Series and the UNI 101 - University Studies course.

LEAD: The Leadership and Service Learning Community is recommended for students who are interested in developing their leadership skills and giving back to the community. This program provides opportunities for personal growth and peer-to-peer connections. No previous leadership experience is required.This community has at its core a mission to inspire emerging leaders through active community service and civic engagement. Students participating in this program will be housed on the Hewlett Hall fourth floor and participate in one of two Leadership First-Year Seminar courses (3 credit hours). This course is taught in the Graham-Hewlett classroom, the same building where students in the program live. We will explore practicing leadership in a number of capacities and contexts in order for students to gain a greater awareness of themselves, others, and their communities. Leadership and Service Learning Community participants cultivate their leadership skills by participating in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement's Leadership Development Program.

NON-RESIDENTIAL

The Nursing Learning Community is for first-year students who are strongly considering a major in Nursing. The mission of the learning community is to give students an introduction into the field of Nursing, the skills needed to be successful in the career, and to provide a network of support from classmates, faculty and mentors. This learning community will include two courses required to get into this competitive program, as well as a first-year seminar.

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Learning Community was created to meet the needs of incoming first-year students interested in various science, technology, engineering and math areas. This learning community would be a great option for students interested in one of these specific areas of interest:Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Oceanography, Physics, and Physical Oceanography.