First-Year Learning Communities
Proposal Form| Fall 2015
Call for Proposals:
Proposals for Fall 2015 Learning Communities (LCs) for first-semester students are being accepted October 1November 7, 2014. You are invited to submit a proposal by emailing this completed form to Cathy Bradford,
Director of Learning Communities, cbradfo4@kennesaw.edu by Friday November 7, 2014.
General Information about KSU Learning Communities
LEARNING COMMUNITIES DEFINITION
At KSU, Learning Communities are structured as two or more courses that are linked together with a common
theme or intellectual interest. First-semester Learning Communities help students transition to higher education
by fostering connections with faculty, peers, and campus resources. LC faculty help students see the world
through multiple lenses by collaborating to offer integrated assignments and activities so that students can make
connections between what they are learning in all their LC courses.
FIRST-YEAR CURRICULUM REQUIREMENT
Learning Communities are one way that new students can meet KSU’s First-Year Curriculum Requirement.
According to the KSU Undergraduate Catalog, “ All first-year, full-time students entering Kennesaw State University
with fewer than 15 semester hours are required to complete a first-year seminar or an academic learning
community. This requirement must be satisfied during a student’s first term of enrollment at Kennesaw State
University.”
LC STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
In addition to outcomes associated with the individual courses that comprise a Learning Community, the following
student learning outcomes will be met by students enrolled in LCs:
 Integrative Learning*
 Campus and Community Engagement *
 Strategies for Academic Success
 Global Learning and Engaged Citizenship
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is conducted at the program level. LC faculty assist by encouraging students to participate in surveys
(one or two) and by providing samples of student work related to learning outcomes. Student learning is also
assessed at the annual Academic Extravaganza: Learning Communities Showcase and Celebration, which honors
the creative and academic work of LC students and faculty.
FACULTY TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT
Faculty and staff teaching in fall 2015 learning communities are expected to attend one LC Orientation & Planning
Workshop, held during the spring 2015 semester. In order to accommodate teaching schedules, we will offer day
and time choices on both campuses. Details to follow.
Additional professional development opportunities will be communicated throughout the year. Individual LC
consultations are available upon request.
MORE INFORMATION
If you have questions or would like to arrange a meeting, please contact us! We are available to meet with
individuals or groups. (Contact information below).
* The fall 2015 Assessment Cycle includes Integrative Learning and Campus & Community Engagement outcomes.
Page 1 of 4
Cathy Bradford, LC Director
cbradfo4@kennesaw.edu
470-578-6243
Hillary Steiner, Assistant LC Director
hsteiner@kennesaw.edu
470-578-6147
First-Year Learning Communities
Proposal Form| Fall 2015
Please consider the following information when preparing your fall 2015 Learning Community Proposal:
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We are currently accepting proposals for Learning Communities for first-year
students. Proposals should include general education courses (and sometimes lower-level major
courses) that do not have prerequisites. If you need help identifying appropriate courses, please
contact me. (Note: If you are interested in proposing a Learning Community for a different
category of students, (e.g., transfer students), please let me know by calling me or sending me
an email).
Most Learning Communities include a first-year seminar (KSU 1101, KSU 1111, KSU 1121,
or KSU 1200) to serve as an “anchor” course. Seminars are limited to 25 or fewer students and
help students transition successfully to higher education. If you are not sure which seminar to
include in your Learning Community, we can help you determine the best fit. To learn more
about first-year seminars, see www.kennesaw.edu/fyts/programs/fyseminar.php
For proposals that do not include a first-year seminar, please include and identify a course in the
LC will be limited to 25 or fewer students.
Most Learning Communities include two or three courses. However, we will
consider Learning Communities that include up to five courses (15 or 16 credit hours).
In many cases, one or more courses in a Learning Community may be embedded in a larger
course. (For example, 25 seats in a large section of PSYC 1101).
At least one course within the Learning Community must have an enrollment limit of 25 or
fewer and be populated only with students in the Learning Community.
The Learning Communities Program can help you identify instructors to teach in
your Learning Community; however, if you know who you plan to include on your LC
instructional team, please discuss this with them when preparing your proposal.
If you are proposing a Learning Community for a specific major or declared interest, please
consult with your chair and/or an academic advisor for that major/interest to ensure that the
courses included in the LC meet the needs and requirements of the students.
Please seek your chair's approval before submitting your proposal.
If you are interested in teaching in a Learning Community but do not plan to submit a proposal
this year, please send me an email expressing your interest. I will help you find a Learning
Community that matches your interests and goals. Be sure to let me know if you will be teaching
on the Kennesaw or Marietta campus.
~please see next page for proposal form ~
Page 2 of 4
Cathy Bradford, LC Director
cbradfo4@kennesaw.edu
470-578-6243
Hillary Steiner, Assistant LC Director
hsteiner@kennesaw.edu
470-578-6147
First-Year Learning Communities
Proposal Form| Fall 2015
Fall 2015 Learning Community Proposal Form
CONTACT INFORMATION
Lead Instructor* (Your Name): ________________________________
Title: __________________________________________
Department: ___________________________________
Campus: ______________________________________
Email: ________________________________________
Phone number: ___________________
Office location: ___________________
Your department chair or supervisor: _____________________________
PROPOSED COURSES AND FACULTY – FALL 2015 LEARNING COMMUNITY
Course Name/Number
Proposed Instructor
Instructor phone #
Has instructor agreed
to teach in this LC?
Has chair
approved
?
Preferred
teaching
days/times
ABOUT THIS PROPOSED LEARNING COMMUNITY
Has this Learning Community been offered before? ____ _
____
Proposed Title: __ ______________________________________________________
Location (circle one):
Kennesaw
Marietta
ENROLLMENT
Enrollment in your proposed learning community is (please select one):
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Open to all first-year students, regardless of major.
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Restricted to the following declared majors/interests: _________________
(e.g., nursing, education, business, chemistry)
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Limited to the following special populations: _____________________
(e.g., athletes, veterans, learning support, ESBA, etc.)
Page 3 of 4
Cathy Bradford, LC Director
cbradfo4@kennesaw.edu
470-578-6243
Hillary Steiner, Assistant LC Director
hsteiner@kennesaw.edu
470-578-6147
First-Year Learning Communities
Proposal Form| Fall 2015
Fall 2015 Learning Community Proposal Form
Proposed Description for Students: How would you describe this learning community to incoming first-year
students? This description is for marketing materials and is subject to editing. Suggested length: 50 -100 words.
Additional Information (optional): If desired, use this space to provide additional information.
Page 4 of 4
Cathy Bradford, LC Director
cbradfo4@kennesaw.edu
470-578-6243
Hillary Steiner, Assistant LC Director
hsteiner@kennesaw.edu
470-578-6147