There are eight Themed Learning Communities (TLCs) offered to incoming freshmen for fall 2010. A TLC is a unique opportunity to engage deeply in a shared theme, connect learning across two or three linked courses in collaborative and active ways, develop relationships with peers and faculty, and ease the transition to college. Each course

contributes to the discussions, readings, problems, papers, and presentations of the other linked courses.

Unique Elements of NIU Themed Learning Communities• Courses are small—no more than 25 students—and require co-enrollment in all courses linked in the TLC. The TLC is typically composed of a Freshman Seminar and a General Education Course.

• Each course in the learning community reinforces a common theme through the integration of related or shared assignments, readings, or activities. For more information on TLCs at NIU:

815-753-8152jspears1@niu.edu

Ethical Dilemmas in Business(Students must register for both classes)

UBUS 101–T105: Ethical Dilemmas in Business CNR: 34378Instructor: Beth TowellMW 3:30–4:20 Barsema Hall 133

COMS 100–T106: Fundamentals of Oral Communication CNR: 4082Instructor: Tim PierceMW 2:00–3:15 Barsema Hall 133

Consider, for a moment, a world in which businesses are run without regard for right or wrong. What would that world look like? How well would you function in that kind of environment? Ethical decision-making is a part of everyday life. And as an incoming business student, you should be aware of the many ethical dilemmas you may face in your career. Sometimes ethical breaches are discovered and discussed in the news. Other times, unethical behavior is hidden and its discovery delayed because of an increased tolerance for unacceptable behavior or because the conse-quences of individual behavior are not thoroughly exam-ined.

In UBUS 101 students will review common ethical dilem-mas in business and be provided with a framework for analyzing these situations. Student teams will then develop video vignettes that demonstrate a practical application of this framework. In COMS 100 students will develop their listening and speaking competencies with an emphasis on invention, organization, language and style, and delivery in public and other settings. Students will give presentations on business ethics and will attend an outside lecture on busi-ness ethics as well as write a critical essay on an in-class speaker.

Tim Pierce is an instructor for the Department of Com-munication and coordinator for the COMS 100 program. Pierce has learned to navigate the ethical waters not only in his job at NIU but also from the perspective of being board president of a community center and a church leader in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.

Beth Towell, Ph.D., is very excited about this TLC and looks forward to meeting some new NIU freshmen! As associate dean for undergraduate affairs in the College of Business, she is very involved in an all-college initia-

tive designed to build ethical awareness in future business leaders. This initiative involves a number of curricular and co-curricular activities that are supported by faculty, staff, students, and corporate sponsors.TLCThemed Learning Communities

5

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Leadership by Women and Minorities (Students must register for all three classes)

UBUS 101–T101: Ethical Dilemmas in Business CNR: 34377Instructor: Sarah MarshT 3:30–4:20 Barsema Hall 111

ENGL 103–0M35-LE: Rhetoric and Composition CNR: 5982Instructor: Stephanie KummererT 2:00–3:15 Barsema Hall 133Th 2:00–3:15 Engineering Bldg 125

PSYC 102–T103: Introduction to Psychology CNR: 34166Instructor: Philip KrasulaTTh 12:30–1:45 Barsema Hall 111

What makes a good leader, and how can you become one? In this course, we will identify the factors and behav-iors that contribute to effective leadership, with special attention given to the issues that affect women and other minority leaders in business. Students will have an oppor-tunity to learn from senior business executives and increase their own leadership capabilities.

Sarah Marsh, Ph.D., teaches management courses in the undergraduate and Executive M.B.A. programs of the Col-lege of Business. She leads a faculty and staff of 25 people, interacts with NIU alumni, and does research on manage-ment topics. She earned her undergraduate degree at Grin-nell College and her M.B.A. and Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is excited about teach-ing the Themed Learning Community on leadership.

Stephanie Kummerer has been teaching in the First Year Composition program since 2000. She is a recipient Critical Thinking

5

4

www.niu.edu/provost/tlc

6 7

Teachers as Ambassadors of Social Change (Students must register for all three classes)

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” —Mahatma Gandhi

EPFE 201–T204: Education as an Agent of Change CNR: 34179Instructor: Molly SwickMW 2:00–3:15 Graham Hall 418

ENGL 103–0M33-LE: Rhetoric and Composition CNR: 5972Instructor: Lori LawsonMW 1:00–2:00 Graham Hall 418F 1:00–2:00 Graham Hall 136

UNIV 101–T206: University Experience CNR: 16971 Instructor: LaMetra CurryF 2:00–3:15 Graham Hall 418

This Themed Learning Community is designed specifically to prepare future educators to live, work, and teach in an in-creasingly diverse society. Encompassing field trips, service learning, collaborative projects, and involvement in local schools, this TLC will challenge students to:• Identify their own unique ideas and perspectives on education• Recognize the many factors that shape these perspectives• Develop specific teaching strategies to foster learning for a diverse population of students• Empower future teachers to become the ambassadors of positive change in the classroom, and in society at large.

LaMetra Curry is coordinator of recruitment for the College of Education, and director of Project PRIME and the MITE (Mi-norities Inspiring Teacher Education) program. She specializes in recruiting, supporting, and empowering minority students through innovative mentoring, technology integration, and service learning programs.

Lori Lawson is an award-winning teacher in the Department of English dedicated to inspiring and empowering all students to learn through the use of multimodal teaching techniques. She specializes in working with diverse and at-risk students, and has taught in the CHANCE program for many years.

of the Jenefer M. Giannasi Award for Excellence in Teach-ing First Year Composition and has been honored with a University Certificate of Recognition for Contribution and Commitment to Diverse Learning Styles. As an instructor who has been committed to improving the first-year experi-ence at NIU, Stephanie is thrilled to be a part of the TLC program.

Phil Krasula, Ph.D., is a practicing psychologist who has been CEO of the Central DuPage Professional Counseling Center for over 10 years. He has extensive experience in in-dividual and group counseling, business management, and supervision, and has been teaching for the past 15 years. Krasula holds advanced certifications in crisis management, experiential teambuilding therapy, and industrial/organiza-tional management.

advanced technology activities (ETT 229), analysis and pro-duction of effective public speaking (COMS 100), and an introduction to NIU and its community (UNIV 101). These linked courses include opportunities for reading, writing, viewing, listening, and speaking critically.

Through this TLC, you will develop essential communication, productivity, and creative expression skills that will solidify your success in college and beyond.

Rhonda Robinson, Ph.D., is a Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Educational Technology, Re-search and Assessment. Her research and teaching interests include the social and cultural impacts of media and tech-nology, and the integration of technology and visual literacy concepts and skills into teaching and learning.

Kristin Brynteson is pursuing a doctorate in instructional technology with a research emphasis on building learning communities and multi-literacy education. As research asso-ciate for the Center for P–20 Engagement, she is involved in projects that connect NIU and the educational and business community. Kristin has a B.S. in industrial engineering and an M.S.Ed. in instructional technology, both from NIU.

Elizabeth Anderson holds a master’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Illinois at Chi-cago. She has nearly 20 years of teaching experience in college English as well as computer applications. Elizabeth currently teaches English for the College of DuPage and the University of Phoenix Online, and English and computer ap-plications for DeVry University. She is pursuing a doctorate in instructional technology.

Helena Ewald holds a master’s degree in communication from Northern Illinois University. Prior to returning to NIU, she was employed by a Fortune 500 company. She brings experience from the corporate and academic realm to the classroom to help students improve speaking and listening skills. She has been teaching in the Department of Commu-nication for 13 years.

Molly Swick is a progressive educator in the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations. She is dedicated to eradicating constraints placed on people based on sex, race, and socioeconomic class. She tackles issues of injustice with current philosophy, educa-tional theory, and engaging teaching techniques.

College 2.0: A Media ‘Mash-Up’(Students must register for all three classes)

ETT 229–T201: Computers in Education CNR: 34161Instructor: Kristin Brynteson and Elizabeth Anderson

TTh 3:15–4:45 Gabel Hall 215

COMS 100–T203: Fundamentals of Oral Communication CNR: 4222Instructor: Helena EwaldTTH 1:45–3:00 Gabel Hall 215

UNIV 101–T202: University Experience CNR: 16881 Instructor: Rhonda RobinsonTTh 12:30–1:30 Gabel Hall 215

You already use media and technology; now make technol-ogy work for you. This course will help you enhance your understanding of how the things you love to do fit into your college and career choices. Using new digital media, you will explore your interests and enhance your information, media, communication, and technology fluency. You will have opportunities to create media-rich projects, expand your computer and technology skills, analyze multimedia, and understand how you learn. This TLC blends basic and

NIU campus in Second Life.

How GREEN is your Paw Print? Reducing Your Carbon Footprint(Students must register for all three classes)

UNIV 101–T803: University Experience CNR: 16696 Instructor: Danielle Kuglin SeagoMW 1:00–1:50 Davis Hall 308

COMS 100–T804: Fundamentals of Oral Communication CNR: 4107Instructor: Madelyn AndersonMW 3:30–4:45 Davis Hall 116

GEOG 253–T805: Environment and Society CNR: 34170 Instructor: David GoldblumMW 2:00–3:15 Davis Hall 121

This Themed Learning Community explores “being green” at NIU and related topics such as climate change, biodi-versity loss, deforestation, energy use, and sustainable use of the planet’s resources. You’ll learn about human impact on the environment in GEOG 253 and then reflect on your learning through presentations, papers, discussions, and journals in COMS 100 and UNIV 101. Students in this TLC

8

also have the opportunity to live in the sustainability-interest rooms within the Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) House, a living–learning community in Douglas Hall. This residential component will allow participants to live with others who are passionate about being green and to further integrate their experiences in and out of the class-room.

David Goldblum has been teaching a variety of classes that focus on human impacts on the environment for more than 15 years. David received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and his research areas include biogeography and environmental change. He currently serves as an as-sistant professor in the Department of Geography and is the advisor to the environmental studies minor.

Madelyn Anderson is entering her 19th year in NIU’s Department of Communication, where she has served as instructor and program coordinator. She holds a masters degree in Communication with a graduate emphasis in Women’s Studies from NIU. She was formerly the director of cultural events at Augustana College and on the Present-ers Panel for the Illinois Arts Council, and continues as a community arts advocate. She hopes to use her combined experiences to help students speak about issues of sustain-ability.

Danielle Kuglin Seago is in her third year as an assis-tant director in Orientation & First-Year Experience at NIU. She is committed to first-year student success as coordinator of the First-Year Connections program. Danielle received her master’s degree in education from Illinois State University and has worked at several institutions of higher education in areas of volunteerism, student involvement, and the first-year experience.

Let’s Talk about Energy(Students must register for all three classes)

PHYS 150–T601: Physics CNR:13826 Instructor: Suzanne Willis MWF 12:00–12:50 Psych/Computer Science Bldg 156

COMS 100–T602: Fundamentals of Oral Communication CNR:4052 Instructor: Kim Gatz MWF 1:00–1:50 Psych/Computer Science Bldg 156

LTRE 190–T603: College Reading and Study Strategies CNR: 34189 Instructor: Sonya ArmstrongM 2:00–2:50 Psych/Computer Science Bldg 156

Some of the most critical issues facing the world over the next few years include global warming and the move away from non-renewable energy sources. In order to make sensible decisions as a society, we need to be well-informed about these issues, and to be able to communicate effective-ly about them. Students in this community will learn about the science behind energy issues—not at a highly technical level, but at the level of an intelligent lay person. They will learn strategies for actively reading and studying science and other quantitative texts, and will also learn to commu-nicate about energy issues to the general public as well as to policy makers. Course activities may include field trips to innovative energy projects, group productions of video and written materials, and visits to public officials.

Suzanne Willis, Ph.D., has been a physics professor for 28 years, and has taught physics classes at all levels, from general education to graduate. She is committed to increasing public science literacy and the involvement of women and underrepresented minorities in the sciences. Her research expertise is in the area of experimental high energy physics.

Sonya L. Armstrong, Ph.D., has taught postsecondary literacy courses, including reading, writing, and study strat-egies, for 10 years. Armstrong currently directs the College Learning Enhancement Program, the literacy component of

NIU’s developmental program. Her research interests focus on student conceptualizations of academic literacies and the use of metaphor analysis in literacy research.

Kim Gatz has been an instructor in the Department of Communication for six years. She teaches public speak-ing and business and professional communication. Her background in agricultural communication and 10 years of business experience working for Deere & Company will enhance this classroom experience. Her goal is to teach students how to communicate effectively the science behind energy issues.

9

The Commuter Connection(Students must register for both classes)

UNIV 101–T801: University Experience CNR: 16701 Instructor: Jill ZambitoMW 10:00–10:50 DuSable Hall 456 COMS 100–T802: Fundamentals of Oral Communication CNR: 4037Instructor: David SimonMW 11:00–11:50 DuSable Hall 456

The Commuter Connection TLC is a wonderful new oppor-tunity for first-year commuter students who want to become more connected with NIU and with other commuter stu-dents. This TLC will provide you with an opportunity to delve deeper into two first-year courses—UNIV 101 and COMS 100— under the guidance of faculty who have a special interest and experience in supporting the commuter student population. Students in this TLC will examine the concept of community while establishing their own commuter com-munity at NIU. Students will also participate in MAP-Works (Making Achievement Possible), a new initiative that will enable NIU to better support students inside and outside the classroom. This Themed Learning Community will enhance the commuter student experience at Northern.

David Simon is entering his 24th year as a faculty assis-tant/instructor in the Department of Communication. He is also currently serving as the COMS 100P and lab coordi-nator for the department. Simon is looking forward to being a part of this Themed Learning Community.

Jill Zambito is the director of Off-Campus and Non-Tradi-tional Student Services at NIU. She has a vested interest in commuter students and has been working with this particu-lar student population for over seven years. She is thrilled to be a part of this exciting opportunity for commuter students.

Blacks and Science(Students must register for both classes)

IDSP 202: University Experience CNR:34777 Instructor: Denise HaymanTTh 11:00–12:15 McMurry Hall 201

COMS 100–T807: Fundamentals of Oral Communication CNR: 4167Instructor: Tammy HolmesTTh 12:30–1:45 McMurry Hall 201 This Themed Learning Community will explore the experi-ences of people of African descent through history, technol-ogy, and science and will fulfill the university oral communi-cation requirement. Students will examine the socio-cultural, political, and scientific histories as well as patterns of development and attitudes related to minority contributions to the scientific world. The course requirements will focus on Blacks and Science, pre- and post-Reconstruction.

Tammy Holmes, Ph.D., is a full-time instructor in the Department of Communication at NIU. Her research areas include communication, African American studies, and adult and higher education.

Denise R. Hayman, Ph.D., has more than 15 years of experience working with engineering and science students in higher education. Hayman created and developed a Black History Month project focusing on Black and Latino engineers and inventors as part of National Engineers Week. Her research interests include academic achieve-ment, self-regulated learning, higher education and policy studies, and student activism.

Connections