Within the Core curriculum, we are committed to educating the whole person, and we are pleased to host several exciting initiatives designed to enhance student learning and the student experience “beyond the walls” of the classroom.
Starting college or transferring to a new university can be challenging. To help get students off to a good start, Seattle University uses Core classes as supportive engagement seminars. Most first-year students will be registered for UCOR 1100, UCOR 1400, or HUMT 1830, which include elements designed to support and engage students in their first term at the university. Students in these courses are contacted by the faculty before the start of the term to help them plan for class, receive formative feedback on assignments early in the term and through a mid-quarter progress report, and participate in in-class workshops to prepare for Winter Quarter registration. Many faculty also include co-curricular activities, which engage students in events connected to the course themes across campus and in the Seattle community. In Fall quarter 2018, more than 800 first-year students were enrolled in these courses, providing students with additional tools proven to contribute to student success. These elements, delivered by our talented and committed Core faculty and Advising staff, positively contribute to student learning and persistence. In Fall of 2019, we are expanding this program to some transfer students on a pilot basis, using sections of UCOR 2500.
This pilot program connects groups of three Core courses with an overarching theme. Dedicated faculty collaborate to offer students a glimpse into their academic passions and how different disciplines engage with a common theme, such as Arts for Social Change, Food and Environment, or Race and Gender in American Culture. Each course features co-curricular events in which students from all three courses are invited to participate, and students have the opportunity to deepen their engagement by registering for Core courses and attending co-curricular events that continue to explore these themes throughout the academic year.
This Fall 2019 pilot partnership brings together partners from the Core, Advising, the Library and Learning Commons, and residential Theme Communities to integrate academic support and career discernment into the residential experience. Students in Bellarmine Hall will have the opportunity to attend workshops, take advantage of drop-in tutoring and study groups, and collaborate with peers right in their “living room.” We’re bringing the academic resources to them!
Our flagship learning community for over 15 years partners residents of Xavier Global House with the Modern Languages and Cultures program. The community brings together students who share an interest in global studies and cross-cultural education, and a desire to live in a culturally diverse and enriching learning environment. Faculty in our French and Spanish programs offer an exciting calendar of events to welcome students interested in the languages and cultures of the French- and Spanish-speaking world.
Another opportunity that students can participate in is the Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal. SUURJ solicits research-focused essays in any field and on any subject. The annual deadline for submissions is in mid-October. For further information, please visit their website: SUURJ
