Creating a Learning Cluster

Specialized, intensive courses taking place between regular semesters have long been staples of liberal arts education. Other liberal arts universities refer to similar courses as January-terms, J-Terms, Interterms, and Winter Terms. The term ‘Learning Cluster’ was coined by John D. Montgomery as SUA prepared to open its doors. The first LCs were offered in May 2002. In 2007, all LCs shifted to the January block, and the first travel grants were offered in 2009. SUA offers approximately 26 LCs annually, with classes capped at 11-12 students. In SUA’s first 20 years (2002-2022), we offered over 600 LC classes. A full list is available here. The public-facing LC webpage is available here.

Just as LCs feature a vast range of topics and approaches, so too do their origins vary. The common element is that they are not like catalogue courses, varying from year to year and crafted through student-faculty collaboration, although the degree of student input and faculty oversight will vary. Some LCs start with students, who develop a topic and identify a faculty member, who in turn oversees the syllabus, budget, and evaluation. Such courses involve mutual learning, with faculty typically outside of their comfort zone. Other LC courses start with faculty, who may identify a topic linked to their research, personal interests, or current events. They then meet with interested students, who are encouraged to suggest readings, topics, and activities for the course.

Although some evolve even earlier, especially NFF applicants, LC courses generally take root in September and October. Detailed planning for LC courses should not take place until the faculty member has been approved as part of the LC roster by the Dean of Faculty. On campus, students should discuss ideas and approach faculty members. Discussions are often spurred by the orientation session for first-year students and following optional session for the entire campus. As LC courses form, organizers (student and/or faculty) are expected to post their ideas to the LC Bulletin Board on Brightspace to ensure that interested students have an opportunity to be part of the course.

The Brightspace LC Bulletin Board
The LC Brightspace page is an essential resource. It features a list of faculty members teaching LCs, shortcuts to essential forms, and links to other useful resources. The Brightspace page includes forms related to field trips, pre-registration, expense requests, reimbursements, budgeting, per diem, expense cards, guest speakers, mileage, and more. Perhaps most important, especially in the Fall semester, is the LC Bulletin Board. Students and faculty with ideas for potential courses can start a new discussion thread or respond to existing ones. The Bulletin Board is used to form the early topics and rosters of LC courses, and to advertise meetings for interested students.