We believe that information, converted into action, followed by structured critical
reflection, can lead to a ripple effect ultimately bringing about social change.
This LC aims to provide educational experiences that will prepare you to identify
what you truly love about the world (Hermann Hesse) and ultimately be the change you
want to see in it (Mohandas Gandhi). By examining historical and current cases and
theories of change, movements, and transformation, the ‘Ripple Effect’ LC will address
the following questions in an experiential format:
- What in your community/world do you care enough about to do something about?
- How do you organize your thoughts, build upon resources, and implement strategies for social change?
- How do you know when you have brought about some level of influence of social change? How do you know it was good or right?
Members will attend a Pre-Semester Retreat during the week prior to the beginning of classes. Curricular Components will enroll you in four courses during the year – two in Liberal Studies (LS), one Leadership course, and your FYE course: University Studies. A Community Engagement Project will allow you to address a relevant issue working together.
If you are interested – bring your heart, mind, and soul and prepare to embark on a journey where you will become a part of something that is bigger than you, but better because of you.
Students will be enrolled as a cohort in the following courses:
| Term | Days/Times | Course ID | Course Title - (credit) | Course Type | Instructor |
| Fall 2013 | MWF 1:25 - 2:15 |
ENT 195-03 | First-year seminar in Entrepreneurship: Creating Ripple Effects by Action - (3) | Liberal Studies - First year seminar | Dr. Lane Perry |
| MW 2:30 - 3:20 |
USI 130 | University Studies - Ripple Effect LC - (1) | A FYE Transition Pathways Course | Rebecca Lasher | |
| Spring 2014 | TBA | CJ 293 | Special Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice - (3) | Criminal Justice | Dr. Cyndy Caravelis Hughes |
| TBA | LEAD 141 | Leadership and Student Development: Ripple Effect LC | Leadership Minor | Dr. Todd Collins, Dr. Lane Perry |
ENT 195 - First-year Seminar in Entrepreneurship: Creating Ripple Effects by Action
This course is designed to assist students with identifying community issues, expose
them to relevant information pertaining to these issues, and develop a process for
addressing issues and integrating information; a transferable model for promoting
and instigating social change can be applied.
Instructor Bio: My name is Dr. Lane Perry and let’s just say I am beyond excited to have you involved
in The Ripple Effect Learning Community. In my 30 years on earth I have had the opportunity
to see the ‘ripple effect’ of life and positive, educated action play out in a number
of scenarios. From growing up in Saudi Arabia to my four years living in New Zealand,
I have played witness and activist to organizing and promoting social change for the
better. Along my journey of life I have travelled to over 40 countries (lived and
taught in two), experienced the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, extensively
researched student leadership development, and most recently became a father. Bring
your head, heart, and soul and take the first steps towards becoming the ‘change you
want to see in your world”.
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.
Instructor Bio: After receiving her graduate degree from the University of Tennessee in 1985, Rebecca
Lasher worked in clinical social work for 23 years specializing in counseling with
children and adolescents. Rebecca has been a professor at Western Carolina University
since 2008 in the department of social work. She has a genuine passion for teaching
and believes that education involves a personal, affirmative and individualized relationship
with students. Her major research interests include poverty and how it impacts both
children and families. She was a member of the WCU Poverty Project in 2011-12 and
has organized alternative Spring break service learning trips to Jamaica for the last
two years. Her service at WCU includes serving as the Faculty Senate Secretary and
facilitating Intergroup Dialogue sessions for students.
CJ 293 - Special Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice
How do you know what you "know" to be true?
- Are the differences that you perceive between people really there or are they something that we've fabricated?
- Do you often look at human interaction and wonder why we act the way that we do?
If so, this course is for you. We will examine the social construction of categories of difference with an emphasis on race/ethnicity, social class, gender and sexuality. Specifically, we will focus on issues of diversity, oppression and social justice. We will examine on how the law can used as an instrument of Repression, marginalization and exclusion. But it isn’t all bad news! We will also examines how we have evolved to overcome those differences and how we, as a people, have strived for equality and compassion.
Instructor Bio: Dr. Caravelis Hughes’ current research interests include the relationship between
social threat and social control, the effect of inequality on crime, theoretical criminology
and the death penalty. In addition to her academic endeavors, has extensive field
experience. Her prior positions include working as a legislative analyst for Florida’s
Commission on Capital Cases, as a crime intelligence analyst for the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement and as an academic instructor in both male and female correctional
institutions.
LEAD 141 - Leadership and Student Development: Ripple Effect LC
This course is designed to promote and develop ethically and morally responsible,
fully functioning leaders. This section will be a problem-based laboratory to operationalize
the learning goals for the Ripple Effect Learning Community (LC 04)
Instructor Bios:
Dr. Lane Perry: see above
Dr. Todd Collins: Dr. Todd Collins’ research and teaching focuses on constitutional
law, judicial behavior, and legal institutions. His research has been published in
both law reviews and political science journals, including articles on the First Amendment,
immigration policy, judicial appointments, and judge’s voting behaviors. In addition
to being a licensed attorney, Dr. Collins has been a faculty member at WCU since 2007,
serves as the pre-law advisor for the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs,
and is a faculty advisor for WCU’s Pre-Law Club.