International LC
Trip to the Baha\'i Temple
The International Learning Community brings together students with interest and passion international issues and experiences and fosters critical understanding of international concerns and dynamics in the contemporary world. The curricular and co-curricular offerings associated with the ILC serve to enhance global awareness, including understanding of and appreciation for cultural and religious diversity, international political structures and trends, global economic issues, and transnational environmental and social challenges. The Community also serves to connect international and U.S. students in a celebration of diverse cultures. International students who choose to reside in the community are always placed with roommates from the United States.
In 2013-2014, the International Learning Community will be home to 100 first-year students who live together in one of our five first-year residence halls.
Activities and Programs
Students in the International LC have participated in retreats and conferences on global citizenship, attended the Chicago International Film Festival, visited the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, taken a tour of the Baha'i in Wilmette, IL, and explored cultural neighborhoods around Chicago. They often enjoy cooking meals and sharing their native cultures with one another.
Students in the International Learning Community choose to participate in the activities and programs that are of interest to them. The students who participate in the largest number of programs and activities also enjoy the greatest benefits from the community.
Curricular Requirements
The curricular requirements for the International LC provide wonderful opportunities to connect through coursework with peers in the community but also ample opportunity to meet friends from outside the community. Faculty members who teach in the International LC also participate with students in activities and events outside the classroom, allowing students to develop stronger relationships with faculty members from their first day on campus. Students enjoy the built-in study groups that come with living and learning together!
First-year students take 4 credit hours together in the Fall semester and 3 credit hours together in the Spring semester. Specific courses offered in the International LC for the 2013-2014 are listed below.
2013-2014 International LC Classes
- Sophomore & Transfer Classes
The International LC will not be offered for Sophomores in the 2013-2014 academic year. However, first-year students participating in the LC in 2013-2014 will have the opportunity to continue with the LC as sophomores in 2014-2015.
- First-Year Classes
In the Fall 2013 Semester, first-year students in the International LC will all take UNIV 101: First Year Seminar together. They will also choose one of the following classes:
Anthropology 100: Globalization and Local Cultures (3 credits) - fulfills the Tier 1 Societal and Cultural Knowledge requirement of the CORETheology 107: Introduction to Religion (3 credits) - fulfills the Tier 1 Theological and Religious Knowledge requirement of the CORE
UCLR 100: Interpreting Literature (3 credits) - fulfills the Tier 1 Literary Knowledge and Experience requirement of the CORE
Additionally, for students interested in expanding their language skills, International LC students can choose to take a Spanish or Portuguese class with the members of your Learning Community. Students in these classes will be able to take advantage of meals and other activities in Spanish or Portuguese. This is a great way to expand your language skills beyond the classroom! Course options are:
Spanish 102 or 103 and Portuguese 101