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!”
Fall 2025 Learning Communities
The following Learning Communities courses are offered during the Fall 2025 semester.
Becoming a healthcare professional involves learning the structures and functions of the human body as well as the technical language used to communicate with other members of the healthcare team. Intended for students pursuing a healthcare pathway, this learning community provides a supportive, integrated experience designed to help students gain proficiency with the language of medicine while achieving mastery with anatomical structures and dynamic physiological processes. Internet access is required. Must co-enroll in the following:
- ANAT-1500-LC012, Survey of Human Anatomy and Physiology (Gen Ed: Physical/Life Science)—4 credits Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.
- HLTHS-1110-LC012, Biomedical Terminology—3 credits
Online
Information: Thomas Hardy, email: hardyt503@cod.edu, or Dilyss Gallyot, email: galloyot@cod.edu
Internet access is required for fully online courses (NET) and virtual classroom meetings (VCM). For more information, visit cod.edu/online.Build your HR expertise through integrated coursework in this advanced study in talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, performance management, operations and structure, strategic planning, ethical leadership, and business acumen. Work collaboratively on problem-solving and gain experience in HR process and policy development. Must co-enroll in the following:
- MANAG-2242-LC018, Talent Acquisition and Retention—2 credits
Wednesdays, 6 to 7:05 p.m. - MANAG-2245-LC018, Compensation, Benefits and Total Rewards—2 credits
Wednesdays, 7:15 to 8:20 p.m. - MANAG-2248-LC018, Strategic HR Management—2 credits
Wednesdays, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Information: Jane Murtaugh, (630) 942-2821, email: 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.Explore how psychology and aspects of the courtroom environment are integrated. Investigate how psychological theories and principles can be systematically applied to various components of the American criminal justice system, including, but not limited to, the system's primary components of courts, police, corrections, victims, and offenders. Courses will be taught in the fully online format. Must co-enroll in the following:
- CRIMJ-1100-LC025, Introduction to Criminal Justice—3 credits
Online - PSYCH-2240-LC025, Social Psychology (Gen Ed: Social and Behavioral Sciences, Human
Relations)—3 credits
Online
Information: Tauya Forst, email: johnsont217@cod.edu or Or’Shaundra Benson, email: bensono@cod.edu
This class will combine the dual perspectives of history and biology to explore how the environment has played a role in world history. We will tackle two issues:
- what we can learn from history to understand the various dimensions that shape critical environmental problems, and
- how we can develop just and sustainable solutions to redress these problems.
Must co-enroll in the following:
- HISTO-1160-LC003, World Civilization Since 1300 (Gen Ed: Humanities)—3 credits
Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. - BIOLO-1110-LC003, Environmental Biology (Gen Ed: Life Sciences)—4 credits
Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Information: Shamili Ajgaonkar, email: sandifor@cod.edu or Maria Ritzema, email: ritzemam@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.How do we analyze and interpret sport in society and literature? For athletes and fans, developing strategies to understand the issues, problems, psychology, culture, and emotion of sports can be deepened through reading history and literature as well as studying trends and statistics. This learning community explores the social science and literary art through a focus on sports and sports writing. Internet access is required. Must co-enroll in the following:
- ENGLI-1130-LC010, Introduction to Literature
(Gen Ed: Humanities)—3 credits
Online - PHYS-2210-C010, Sport and Society—3 credits
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 to 2:15 p.m.
Information: Jackie McGrath at mcgrathj@cod.edu or Stephanie Vlach at vlachs@cod.edu
In this time of misinformation and alternative facts, this learning community will confront a question central to our human experience:
What is true? Through reading, writing, and discussion, we will explore this question by examining issues in science, education, religion, politics, and more. Internet access is required. Must co-enroll in the following:
- ENGLI-1101-LC002, English Composition I (Gen Ed: Communications)—3 credits
Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 to 11:55 a.m. - PHILO-1100-LC002, Introduction to Philosophy
(Gen Ed: Humanities)—3 credits
Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 12:50 p.m.
Information: Jim Allen, email: allenj@cod.edu or Les Wolf, email: wolfl214@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.In this learning community, incoming AFA majors will take all their semester art classes together to build community, get to know
full-time art faculty, experiment with a wide variety of media across multiple studios, discover our local art scene, and learn the perks of being an art student at COD. Together we will explore a wide range of techniques and approaches to artmaking from traditional methods to new media technologies with transdisciplinary outcomes. Internet access is required. Must co-enroll in the following:
- ART-1101-LC001, Drawing I—3 credits
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 to 11:50 a.m. - ART-1151-LC001, 2-D Foundations Studio—3 credits
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 2:50 p.m. - ART-2211-LC001, Art Histories Before 1400 C.E. (Gen Ed: Fine Arts/Humanities)—3 credits
Wednesdays, 1 to 2:40 p.m.
NOTE: A permit is required. Contact Jackie Weaver (weaverj376@cod.edu) for details.
Information: Jackie Weaver, email: weaverj1376@cod.edu, Mara Baker, email: bakerm@cod.edu, David Ouellette, email: ouelletted@cod.edu, Eric Fuertes, email: fuertese@cod.edu, or David Nasca, email: nascad@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.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