LinC (Learning in Community Courses at PSC)
Faculty Opportunities
Every Semester, Prairie State College offers our students a number of LinC (Learning in Community) combinations. These are typically two "high-demand" courses taught by two professors but taken by a single cohort of students. Integrated assignments (20-50% of the assignments in each class) are a key feature of such learning communities. Another key element is "community," which the professors encourage and develop through strategies that invite students to become full participants in their academic growth and learning.
Faculty (full-time and adjunct) are invited to learn about and teach our learning communities. Currently, we have two types of LinCs: "linked" LinCs which do not include any team teaching, and "coordinated" LinCs, which include 1 hour of team teaching for each partner. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- If you know you want to teach a LinC, it's helpful to have a partner in mind
- If you don't have a partner in mind, Ed can assist your effort to find one
- LinCs must be listed in the schedule, so plan far in advance
- Establish the team/LinC two semesters in advance
- Prepare the LinC one semester before teaching it
- Compensation is available
- a stipend for preparing a new LinC: $500 per new faculty member
- A stipend for teaching a new linked LinC: $500 per new faculty member
- One credit-hour of overload for teaching a coordinated LinC
- Contact Ed for more information (see below)
Interdisciplinary Activities or Projects
Interdisciplinary activities or project provide an opportunity for faculty and some students to work together on a linked assignment that is similar to assignments used in LinC courses. Interdisciplinary activities or projects are encouraged for faculty who would like to experiment or try out some strategies that are commonly used in LinC courses, perhaps with an eye toward developing a LinC in the future. they are also encouraged for faculty who want to integrate assignments in two courses that would not generate sufficient enrollment to justify a LinC. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Interdisciplinary activities and projects can be proposed/approved at any time
- Advanced approval is necessary to qualify for a stipend
- A small stipend ($200) is available for new interdisciplinary activities or projects
If you are interested or just want more information, please contact Sarena Lee Schott, Learning Communities Coordinator, at 708-3772 or slee@prairiestate.edu