This Learning Community consists of a first-year seminar in Psychology and a Composition
1 course in English, in addition to a FYE course: University Studies. The first-year
seminar is an introduction to the basic methods of study and knowledge of human behavior
in relation to the social, cultural, and natural environment. The composition course
integrates the topics of positive and social psychology, with emphasis on film, with
discussions of strategies in the writing process. The point of departure is a vision
of popular culture as a form of social problem-solving as students learn to read more
critically. In your FYE course, you will have opportunities to connect course-work
with campus engagement opportunities as you discover how to Flourish in college life
together.
Students will be enrolled as a cohort in the following courses:
| Term | Days/Times | Course ID | Course Title - (credit) | Course Type | Instructor |
| Fall 2013 | T/R 12:30 - 1:45 |
PSY 190 | First-year Seminary in Psychology: Flourishing: The Psychology of Well-Being - (3) | Liberal Studies - First year Seminar | Dr. John Habel |
| T/R 2:00 - 3:15 |
USI 130 | University Studies: Flourishing LC - (1) | A FYE Transition Pathways Course | TBA | |
| Spring 2014 | TBA | ENGL 101 | Composition 1 - (3) | Liberal Studies - C1 | Dr. Margaret Bruder |
PSY 190 - Flourishing: The Psychology of Well-Being
The name of our seminar comes from the term, “flourishing,” which psychologist Jonathan Haidt uses for what we also refer to as fulfillment, well-being or happiness. In our seminar we will look at the research in positive psychology and in social psychology about both the external conditions of life and the conditions of human growth and development that increase the likelihood that a person will flourish. Our seminar is not a “how to” course for achieving happiness, but an opportunity to study how scholars struggle to define and study happiness from a variety of perspectives, both recent and ancient. Topics include reciprocity, love, virtue, empathy, friendship, why we find fault in others, and how we make up our minds and change our minds. Our primary text is Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Happiness Hypothesis: (http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/basic/book_detail.jsp?isbn=0465028020).
.gif)
Instructor Bio: Dr. John Habel is an educational psychologist who has taught in the Department of
Psychology since 1993. He has long-standing interests in positive psychology and in
promoting tolerance in educational settings. For some years he has served as the chair
of the Diversity Committee of the College of Education and Allied Professions (CEAP).
In addition, he is a member of the General Education Task Force that was formed in
April 2010 to proposed revisions to WCU’s Liberal Studies Program. Dr. Habel also
has been a member of the First Year Experience (FYE) Cabinet since 2010.
ENGL 101 – Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies
First year composition approaches writing composition as a process and product. The
course emphasis is on writing as a tool for reading, thinking, and communicating.
This course uses the conceptual frameworks explored in the learning community cohort
to integrate the topics of positive and social psychology, with an emphasis on film
and discussions of strategies in the writing process. In working out ideas through
writing, the goal is for students to recognize the value of their personal experiences
and cultural backgrounds in determining who they are, what they think and how they
communicate ideas in an academic environment. In that vein, students do a lot of careful
reading, deep-level thinking, and creative discussion as they improve their writing
skills. (Liberal Studies - C1)
Instructor Bio: Dr. Margaret Bruder has her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature with an emphasis on Film
and American studies. She has been on the faculty of the English Department since
2007, teaching composition, literature and film studies classes. Her primary areas
of interest are Hollywood film and digital culture. Before coming to Western Carolina,
she taught at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt. Dr. Bruder also has
been a member of the First Year Experience (FYE) Cabinet since 2010.
USI 130 - University Studies
This course is an introduction to the university and to higher education will help
you make a seamless transition to your new community at WCU as you “Calibrate your
compass.” You will be introduced to the academic, procedural, and social elements
of your new community. Class sessions are interactive and focused on personal and
academic growth, helping you to integrate your classroom learning with co-curricular
activities and residence hall programming as you discover your place in your new community.
This section of USI 130 is designed to address the specific goals of The Flourishing
Learning Community and enrollment is limited to students enrolled in LC02. To learn
more about FYE Transition pathways, you may visit here.