Learning Communities combine two or more classes linked by a common theme, allowing a more immersive exploration of the class topics. You’ll enhance your education and develop a meaningful support network with others who share similar interests. Learning Communities are innovatively designed to help you enjoy the path to achieving academic success! Check below for this semester’s offerings.
How Learning Communities Work
- They encourage deeper learning by exploring subjects through an interdisciplinary perspective that promotes integrated learning.
- Classes run back-to-back with a break in between.
- More time spent with faculty and classmates allows you to develop meaningful relationships and increased collaboration.
- They allow you to complete general education and/or program requirements in a unique learning environment.
- Assignments are often coordinated, creating a workload that feels more manageable.
- Some learning communities even take field trips!
What Students Have to Say
- “It definitely had more of a family feel than any other class.”
- “I participated in two learning communities in my time at COD and I wish the university I transferred to offered them. Content from these courses stuck with me because we had more time to discuss and absorb the information. I always noticed how topics from my classes would crossover, and learning communities allow you to share that experience with a whole group.”
- “I think [learning communities] are great! It was very helpful to have two classes that were together; it made my first semester easier and prepared me for the rest of my college experience.”
- “Good way to learn by getting ideas from various perspectives.”
- “It is great! You’re able to tie together all of the coursework and complete multiple classes during one period.”
- “Incredibly engaging. Every class should be in this format!”
Spring 2025 Learning Communities
The following Learning Communities courses are offered during the Spring 2025 semester.
Does it really not matter if we win or lose? Does playing board games make you a better communicator? How does rooting for a sports team help build social bonds? Study social psychology through a range of games and sports. Develop skills in research, information literacy, and motivation that will be valuable long after the class. Must co-enroll in:
- ENGLI-1102-LC040, Composition II (Gen Ed: Written Communication)—3 credits
Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 12:50 p.m. - PSYCH-2240-LC040, Social Psychology (Gen Ed: Social and Behavioral Sciences)—3 credits
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 to 1:50 p.m.
Information
Jim Allen, email: allenj@cod.edu or Sarah Butler, email: butlers584@cod.edu
Hybrid format: a mix of face-to-face, internet and/or virtual class meeting. Internet access is required. For more information, visit cod.edu/online.
Build your expertise through an advanced study of human resource management. Work collaboratively on problem-solving and gain experience in HR process and policy development. Courses are completed concurrently through integrated coursework, group connection, portfolio assignments and professional development activities. Must co-enroll in:
- MANAG-2242-LC030, Talent Acquisition and Retention—2 credits
Wednesdays, 6 to 7:05 p.m. - MANAG-2245-LC030, Compensation, Benefits and Total Rewards—2 credits
Wednesdays, 7:15 to 8:20 p.m. - MANAG-2248-LC030, Strategic HR Management—2 credits Wednesdays, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The three certificate courses meet consecutively on campus.
Information
Jane Murtaugh, (630) 942-2821, email: murtaugh@cod.edu
Hybrid format: a mix of face-to-face, internet and/or virtual class meeting. Internet access is required. For more information, visit cod.edu/online.How are the prairies of the American Midwest relevant to what we eat? Can you save the world by giving up bottled water? Just how bad for the planet is the suburban green lawn? This learning community examines lifestyle issues and critically analyzes the relationships among population, natural resources, agriculture, biodiversity, industrialization, and pollution, as well as how to ask a scientific question about the environment and find the information to answer it. Must co-enroll in:
- COLLG-1116-LC030, Research in the Information Age—1 credit Wednesdays, 9 to 9:50 a.m.
- BIOLO-1110-LC030, Environmental Biology (Gen Ed: Physical/Life Science)—4 credits
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Fee: $40 (includes field trips)
Information
Shamili Ajgaonkar, email: sandifor@cod.edu or Laura Burt-Nicholas, email: burt-nicholasl@cod.edu
Delve deeper into the narratives of manga and graphic novels in this course by examining aesthetic, thematic, and historical characteristics and learn to craft analysis and arguments on larger topics. Through close engagement with the texts, we will examine how visual narratives inspire us to meditate on questions of identity, morality, and ethics. Must co-enroll in:
- HUMNT-1102-LC035, Intro to Humanities: Ideas and Values (Gen Ed: Humanities)—3 credits Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
- ENGLI-1102-LC035, English Composition II (Gen Ed: Written Communication)—3 credits
Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Information
Alejandra Ortega, email: ortegaa406@cod.edu or Adam Fotos, email: fotosa@cod.edu
How do we analyze and interpret sport in society and literature? Through reading history and literature and studying trends and statistics, athletes and fans can deepen their understanding of the issues, psychology, culture and emotion of sports. Explore social science and literary art through a study of sports and sports writing. Must co-enroll in:
- ENGLI-1130–LC030 (NET), Introduction to Literature (Gen Ed: Humanities)—3 credits
- PHYS-2210–LC030, Sports in Society—3 credits Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 to 2:15 p.m.
Information
Jackie McGrath, email: mcgrathj@cod.edu or Stephanie Vlach, email: vlachs@cod.edu
In the second half of the twentieth century, American society and its cinema became a culturally dominant worldwide force. That cinema played a major role in shaping global perceptions of the United States, which means that the films made in this period are complicated historical documents. In this learning community, students will try to answer a critical question: how do we know what history is real and what is manufactured? Must co-enroll in:
- ENGLI/MPTV-1135-LC030, Introduction to Film Art (Gen Ed: Fine Arts)—3 credits
Fridays, 9 to 11:50 a.m. - HISTO-2260-LC030, United States History Since 1945 (Gen Ed: Social and Behavioral Sciences)—3 credits Fridays, noon to 12:50 p.m.
Information
Brian Brems, email: bremsb@cod.edu or Sam Mitrani, email: mitraniv@cod.edu
Hybrid format: a mix of face-to-face, internet and/or virtual class meeting. Internet access is required. For more information, visit cod.edu/online.What is eco-labelling and do such labels authentically represent requirements for sustainability? What is biomimicry and how can it serve as a catalyst for innovation in creating eco-friendly products, sustainable practices, and a transition to a circular economy? Gain valuable insights into how we can transform our throwaway economy into one where waste is eliminated, resources are circulated, and nature is regenerated, and the role that consumers and businesses can play in this process Hybrid format: a mix of face-to-face, internet and/or virtual class meeting. Must co-enroll in:
- BIOLO-1110-LC040, Environmental Biology (Gen Ed: Physical/Life Science)—4 credits Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 to 11:50 a.m.
- MARKE-2210-LC040, Principles of Marketing—3 credits
Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 12:50 p.m.
Fee: $40 (includes field trips)
Information
Shamili Ajgaonkar, email: sandifor@cod.edu or Mary Carlson, email: carlsonm@cod.edu
Hybrid format: a mix of face-to-face, internet and/or virtual class meeting. Internet access is required. For more information, visit cod.edu/online.This learning community offers an innovative approach to understanding chemistry principles through ceramic art. Explore foundational chemistry concepts in CHEMI 1105, then apply them practically in ART 1823 to craft custom glazes melding scientific precision with artistic flair. Hybrid format: a mix of face-to-face, internet and/or virtual class meeting. Must co-enroll in:
- CHEMI-1105-LC035, Contemporary Chemistry (Gen Ed: Physical/Life Science, Lab)—4 credits Mondays, 1 to 4:50 p.m.
- ART-1823-LC035, Select Topic IV: Ceramic Glazes—3 credits
Wednesdays 1 to 4:50 p.m.
Information
David Nasca, email: nascad@cod.edu or Lauren Chlebanowski, email: chlebanowskil@cod.edu
Hybrid format: a mix of face-to-face, internet and/or virtual class meeting. Internet access is required. For more information, visit cod.edu/online.Nonhuman animals are our closest companions, but also bred and slaughtered as our food. We volunteer our time and money to help them while also contributing to the destruction of their habitats. Join professors Mary Jean Cravens (Sociology) and David Ouellette (Art History) as we explore how human-animal relationships are studied and responded to in sociology and art. This is a critical animal studies learning community. Must co-enroll in:
- ART-2218-LC030, Seeing Animals—3 credits Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
- SOCIO-2235-LC030, Animals and Society—3 credits Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Information
Mary Jean Cravens, email: cravens@cod.edu or David Ouellette, email: ouelletted@cod.edu
Co-enrollment is required for all learning communities. Course meeting times are subject to change. View classes
If you have not yet applied to take classes at College of DuPage, you will need to apply for admission before registering.
Contact Information
James Allen
(630) 942-3421
Email: allenj@cod.edu