students studying in stundent lounge

Learning Communities

Learning Communities combine two or more classes linked by a common theme, allowing a more immersive exploration of the class topics. You’ll enhance your education and develop a meaningful support network with others who share similar interests. Learning Communities are innovatively designed to help you enjoy the path to achieving academic success! Check below for this semester’s offerings.

How Learning Communities Work

  • They encourage deeper learning by exploring subjects through an interdisciplinary perspective that promotes integrated learning.
  • Classes run back-to-back with a break in between.
  • More time spent with faculty and classmates allows you to develop meaningful relationships and increased collaboration.
  • They allow you to complete general education and/or program requirements in a unique learning environment.
  • Assignments are often coordinated, creating a workload that feels more manageable.
  • Some learning communities even take field trips!

What Students Have to Say

  • “It definitely had more of a family feel than any other class.”
  • “I participated in two learning communities in my time at COD and I wish the university I transferred to offered them. Content from these courses stuck with me because we had more time to discuss and absorb the information. I always noticed how topics from my classes would crossover, and learning communities allow you to share that experience with a whole group.”
  • “I think [learning communities] are great! It was very helpful to have two classes that were together; it made my first semester easier and prepared me for the rest of my college experience.”
  • “Good way to learn by getting ideas from various perspectives.”
  • “It is great! You’re able to tie together all of the coursework and complete multiple classes during one period.”
  • “Incredibly engaging. Every class should be in this format!”

Spring 2026 Learning Communities

The following Learning Communities courses are offered during the Spring 2026 semester.

For COD Honors Program students only.

Explore the rich yet complicated history of Chicago through the narrative elements of a wide array of literature set in and about Chicago. Look at Chicago’s formative years via 19th-century texts; study industrialization, politics, race, and immigration through a variety of 20th-century novels; and view contemporary Chicago through works by local authors of the past three decades.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • ENGLI-1151-HON30, The Novel (Gen Ed: Humanities or Fine Arts)— 3 credits
    Online (NET)
  • HISTO-2270-HON30, History of Chicago (Gen Ed: Humanities or Fine Arts)—3 credits
    Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Information

Internet access is required for fully online courses (NET) and virtual classroom meetings (VCM). For more information, visit cod.edu/online.

Approach the understanding of chemistry principles through ceramic art. Explore foundational chemistry concepts in CHEMI-1105, then apply them practically in ART-2242 to craft custom glazes melding scientific precision with artistic flair.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • CHEMI-1105-LC035, Contemporary Chemistry (Gen Ed: Physical/ Life Science, Lab)—4 credits
    Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 3:50 p.m.
  • ART-2242-LC035, Glaze Chemistry—3 credits
    Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 to 2:50 p.m.

Information

Develop a sense of the history of labor and how its representation in cinema shapes cultural perception of work and workers.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • ENGLI-1135-LC032 or MPTV-1135-LC032, Introduction to Film Art (Gen Ed: Fine Arts)—3 credits
    Fridays, 9 to 11:50 a.m.
  • HISTO-2255-LC032, Work and Workers in United States History (Human Relations)—3 credits
    Fridays, noon to 1:15 p.m.

Information

How do we analyze and interpret sports literature? Through reading history and literature, studying trends, examining statistics and discussing the many sociological significances of sports. Sports enthusiasts can deepen their understanding of the issues, psychology, culture and emotion of sports. Explore social science and literary art through sport studies and literature.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • ENGLI-1130-LC030, Introduction to Literature (Gen Ed: Humanities or Fine Arts)—3 credits
    Online (NET)
  • PHYS-2210-LC030, Sports in Society (Contemporary Life Skills)—3 credits
    Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 to 2:15 p.m.

Information

For those seeking to launch, advance or transition into a human resources role, this integrated, high-level training provides real-world experience, career development and networking opportunities.

Prerequisite: MANAG-2240, Human Resources
Management

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • MANAG-2242-LC030, Talent Acquisition and Retention—2 credits
  • MANAG-2245-LC030, Compensation, Benefits and Total Rewards—2 credits
  • MANAG-2248-LC030, Strategic HR Management—2 credits The three certificate courses meet back-to-back on campus, on Wednesday evenings, from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Information

Jane Murtaugh, (630) 942-2821, murtaugh@cod.edu 

Hybrid format: a mix of face-to-face, internet and/or virtual class meeting. Internet access is required. For more information, visit cod.edu/online.

Study the principles of the U.S. criminal justice system, including the role of race within it. Learn about the invention of race as a categorization of people and examine differential power between groups and the social structures used to maintain these power differences.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • CRIMJ-1100-LC030, Introduction to Criminal Justice
    (Contemporary Life Skills)—3 credits
    Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • SOCIO-2215-LC030, Race and Racism in America (Gen Ed: Social and Behavior Sciences or Human Relations)—3 credits
    Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Information

It’s Our World: Making Environmental Decisions We Can Live With
How are the prairies of the American Midwest relevant to what we eat? Can you save the world by giving up bottled water? Just how bad for the planet is the suburban green lawn?Examine lifestyle issues and critically analyze the relationships among population, natural resources, agriculture, biodiversity, industrialization and pollution. Learn how to ask a scientific question about the environment and find the information to answer it.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • BIOLO-1110-LC030, Environmental Biology (Gen Ed: Physical/ Life Sciences)—4 credits
    Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
    COLLG-1116-LC030, Research in the Information Age—1 credit
    Wednesdays, 9 to 9:50 a.m.

Information

Hybrid format: a mix of face-to-face, internet and/or virtual class meeting. Internet access is required. For more information, visit cod.edu/online.

Does it really matter if we win or lose? Does playing board games make you
a better communicator? How does rooting for a sports team help build social bonds?

Study social psychology through a range of games and sports. Develop skills in
research, information literacy and motivation that will be valuable long after the class.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • ENGLI-1102-LC040, English Composition II (Gen Ed: Written Communication)—3 credits
    Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • PSYCH 2240-LC040, Social Psychology (Gen Ed: Social and Behavioral Sciences or Human Relations)—3 credits Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.

Information

Does it really matter if we win or lose? Does playing board games make you a better communicator? How does rooting for a sports team help build social bonds?Study social psychology through a range of games and sports. Develop skills in research, information literacy and motivation that will be valuable long after the class.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • ART-1152-LC030, Three-Dimensional Foundations Studio
    (Gen Ed: Fine Arts or Humanities)—3 credits
    Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 to 11:50 a.m.
    or
  • ART-2231-LC030, Sculpture I (Gen Ed: Fine Arts or Humanities)—3 credits
    Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 to 11:50 a.m.
    and
  • ART-2281-LC030, Time-Based Media (Gen Ed: Fine Arts or Humanities)—3 credits
    Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 3:50 p.m.

Information

Establish a foundation for personal lifestyle and academic skills for your college experiences. Learn how to build healthy relationships with yourself and others, manage stress, and set goals for yourself and your future.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • COLLG-1115-LC035, College Success Skills (Contemporary Life Skills)—2 credits
    Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 12:50 p.m.
  • PHYS-2251-LC035, Living with Health (Contemporary Life Skills)—3 credits
    Online (NET)

Information

Explore the cultural components that impact conspiracy theories and misinformation, and research how to understand and combat them.

To register, co-enroll in the following:

  • ANTHR-1130-LC032, People and World Cultures (Gen Ed:
    Social and Behavioral Sciences, Global/Multicultural Studies or Human Relations)—3 credits
    Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 to 9:50 a.m.
  • ENGLI-1102-LC032, English Composition II (Gen Ed: Communications)—3 credits
    Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 to 10:50 a.m.

Information

Co-enrollment is required for all learning communities. Course meeting times are subject to change. View classes

If you have not yet applied to take classes at College of DuPage, you will need to apply for admission before registering. 

Contact Information

James Allen
(630) 942-3421
Email: allenj@cod.edu