Psychology in Everyday Life (Residential Learning Community)

It takes a split second to recognize the face of a friend in a crowd or the voice of a loved one over the phone. The whiff of a few odor molecules can tell us whether our food is fresh and safe to consume or whether it has gone bad. While these processes of perception and recognition occur rapidly and automatically, they are the result of chains of events that are so complex and mindboggling that scientists have only begun to identify the steps of processing. This learning community will explore how perception is shaped by attention, emotion, and even culture. Students in this learning community will enroll in “Sensation and Perception” and “Freshmen Seminar” with Dr. Meagan Curtis, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Faculty Member in Residence.  This Learning Community is intended for students who have a strong interest in the psychology major.

For more information, email: meagan.curtis@purchase.edu

Literature and Media (Residential Learning Community)

Why are books and films banned? Or negatively reviewed? Or simply disregarded by the critical community? And why do some of these become popular and well-respected years after they were created? The Literature and Media Learning Community analyzes these questions first by looking at some books and films from marginalized groups. Students then do independent projects on such books and films of their own choosing. Students enroll in a special section of College Writing and the Freshman Seminar, taught by the director of this Learning Community, Kathleen McCormick, a Professor of Literature and Faculty Member in Residence. Students also enroll in a complementary section of a course that fulfills the Humanities requirement, taught by Lee Schlesinger, also a Professor of Literature. Students will participate in many social and intellectual activities, including theater and gallery visits in NYC and special dinners on campus. Students with interests in the Humanities are encouraged to apply, whether they have declared a major or not. This Learning Community always has some Literature, Creative Writing, and Journalism majors.

For more information, email:  kathleen.mccormick@purchase.edu

The Life of a Biologist (Mixed Residential and Nonresidential Learning Community)
The Biology Learning Community will provide support and camaraderie for students who are biology majors, or who are considering biology as a major. Students enroll together in General Biology I, as well as the accompanying laboratory and the Biology Freshman Seminar. A special peer tutor will be available to assist students who may be having difficulty with biology concepts, as well as preparing scientific written assignments such as laboratory reports. Group activities will include discussions about biological professions, explorations of local habitats and exposure to research opportunities on campus, in addition to sharing together in the rich cultural life at Purchase.

The Learning Community will be coordinated by biochemist Joanne Kivela Tillotson, associate professor of biology, who will also teach the laboratory sections of General Biology, and the Biology Freshman Seminar. Dr. Tillotson’s research area is the study of nutritional effects on the growth of cancer cells.

For more information, email: joanne.tillotson@purchase.edu

Rebels and Revolutions: Counterculture from Socrates to Super Size Me
The Counterculture Learning Community explores some of the major countercultural movements in the West, beginning with the Socratic counterculture and moving to present-day initiatives. We will examine the nature of each movement, identify their distinguishing characteristics, and study how one counterculture inspires another over time, specifically through art, literature, and philosophy. Students will analyze various texts and films to explore the complex theories that drove countercultural thinkers and their movements.

Peter Polinski, assistant director of the Advising Center, will coordinate the Learning Community and also teach the accompanying sections of College Writing and the Freshman Seminar.

For more information, email: peter.polinski@purchase.edu

Understanding Cultural Differences and Similarities (Residential Learning Community)

We are living in an increasingly inter-connected world where it is critical for students as informed members of the global community to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural similarities and differences.  The Understanding Cultural Differences and Similarities Learning Community will focus on varied aspects of the modern human experience.  Particular emphasis will be placed on examining the similarities and the differences in political and economic systems, patterns of kinship relations and marriage, gender roles and identities, myth, ritual and religion, and language and communication across contemporary cultures and societies.  This Learning Community is designed for students who have an interest in the social sciences, particularly anthropology and sociology.  Some prior experience in traveling abroad or extensively in the United States is desirable but not required.

Professor Ahmed Afzal, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, will coordinate the Learning Community and also teach the accompanying sections of Introduction to Cultural Anthropology and the Freshmen Seminar.  Students will take part in documentary and feature film screenings, and field trips to museums and exhibits at Purchase College and beyond.

For more information, email: ahmed.afzal@purchase.edu

Updated January 27, 2012