This document summarizes a presentation about "Themed Learning Communities" at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. It discusses three themed learning communities: the Geek engineering TLC focused on engineering problems and nanotechnology, the Preppy psychology TLC with a general psychology theme, and the Activist sociology TLC focused on social inequity. It also discusses using communication across the curriculum to enhance learning, different types of service learning, and lessons learned from the themed learning communities initiative.

1. The Geek, The Preppy, & The Activist:
Teaching Communication Across Disciplines
in “Themed Learning Communities”
Kara Terrell-Curtis, Ivy Tech/IUPUC

2. Faster-Than Light Drives

4. What I will discuss today
• Communication Across the Curriculum
• “Themed Learning Communities”
• The Geek: Engineering TLC
• The Cheerleader: Psychology TLC
• The Activist: Sociology TLC
• What Can We Learn & Apply?

5. Communication Across
the Curriculum
CXC, CIC, and Other “Word Salad”

6. “Themed Learning
Communities”
Initiative at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

7. The Geek
Engineering TLC:
Young Engineers Solving Problems
& Nanotechnology Themes

8. The Preppy
Psychology TLC:
General Psychology Theme

9. The Activist
Sociology TLC:
Social Inequity Theme

10. What Can We Learn & Do?
Lessons Learned, Opportunities Missed, Recommendation for Educators

11. Three Types of Service Learning
Skill-set practice and
reflexivity
Civic values and critical
citizenship
Social Justice Activism
Rationale: Developing
competence and selfefficacy.
Rationale: Exploring what it
means to exist in relation to
others in community.
Rationale: Working with
others to transform systems
of oppression.
Goal: Used to breathe life
into often disciplinary specific
academic material by
emphasizing doing as a way
to enhance learning.
Reflection about experience
aids in critical thinking about
subject matter.
Goal: Used to raise
awareness of and critical
thinking about social issues
and students’ values and
moral choices/responsibilities
as societal members.
Goal: Used to help students
take action to address human
needs often related to
societal injustices/power
imbalances.

12. Snap this QR Code for References and a
DRAFT Copy of My Presentation Notes

13. Click for DRAFT Notes with References