As the nation and indeed the world emerges from pandemical times, new and unanticipated consequences have necessitated attention. Our planet is not the same as it was nor are its human inhabitants. With this transformed reality in mind, this Living Learning Community seeks to address the questions and concerns associated with global humanity, leadership and personal wellness. We explore the intersectionality of often-marginalized experiences among social, psychological, political, literary, and historical lines, and we examine the meaning and characteristics of positive trailblazers. Inspired by recent societal movements and current challenges to our well-being, this living learning community will create an environment for students to form opinions based on facts.
We center the course on a rainbow of perspectives with an increased focus on people of African descent, women, and social and ethnic minorities. The course incorporates experiential learning opportunities such as yoga, beach walks, immersive tours and digital innovation. The Learning Community consists of a cohort of three classes: UNI 101 First-Year Seminar (for first year students); AFN 290 Literatures of the African Diaspora; and LED 211 Principles of Leadership. Students will leave this learning community with a broader understanding – or bigger picture – of the polymorphous mechanisms that affect our lives and livelihood, inspire the need for wellness and encourage the possibilities of uplifting change.
