Experiential Learning Courses
:: Find the list of classes for spring 2010 here (pdf) ::
Download the complete fall 2009 list here (pdf).
FA 10a Context is Everything: Site Sensitive Photography
MUS 107a Introduction to Electro-Acoustic Music
ENG/THA 151b - Theatre/Theory: Investigating Performance
HISP 181a Autores, Narradores y Lectores
BIOL 155a - Project Laboratory in Genetics and Genomics
COSI 11a Programming in Java and C
AMST 191b Greening the Campus and Community: Improving Environmental Sustainability at Brandeis and Beyond
JSP 89a - Social Justice, Social Policy Internship
PSYC 161a Clinical Psychology Practicum I
WMGS 89b Internship in Women’s and Gender Studies: Prevention of Violence against Women and Children
Experiential Learning at Brandeis
What do we mean by "learning by doing"?
The "doing" takes different forms depending on the course and discipline. It could involve fieldwork in local towns to analyzing water quality or recording the oral history of a neighborhood. It could mean conducting independent research, staging a class debate, writing computer code to create an animated film, or creating and performing a piece of music or poetry or a dance. Many projects take students beyond the Brandeis campus, whether to partner with a community group, conduct research at a museum in Boston, serve as an intern for a semester, or study overseas. Below are some of the categories of experiential learning activities; these may be courses, independent projects supervised by faculty, or part of a study abroad program. In addition, Brandeis offers an array of not-for-credit opportunities for student leadership and volunteer projects which involve the learning by doing philosophy.
Additional information about the praxis of Experiential Learning at Brandeis is available in our overview (doc) of the pedagogy's intersection with the Brandeis philosophy and our educator's toolkit.
Modes of Experiential Learning
The School of Creative Arts at Brandeis is a community of artists and scholars in the fields of fine art, music and theater arts who share the belief that art is the great legacy of human accomplishment and essential to interdisciplinary learning. By uniting creative expression with academic inquiry, we educate our students to become accomplished artists and engaged citizens prepared to contribute to a multicultural society.
Courses which encourage students to work "in the field" provide valuable opportunities to gather data, test hypotheses and implement solutions to issues in our communities and environment. This mode allows students and educators the chance to test ideas, gather more information and input in order to create solutions for issues in the discipline.
A supervised work experience which combines critical thinking, intentional reflection with a student's major or concentration is the definitive example of a successful internship. Being an intern in a company or other organization which matches a student's interest is excellent preparation for entering the work force and ideal in showcasing a student's mastery in his or her discipline.
Research and guided inquiry involve the development of new knowledge through scholarly research methods. Students pursue research/inquiry under the guidance of a faculty member either as an independent study project or as part of a course.
The Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) initiative is an aspect of the university's broad-based commitment to experiential learning. By integrating hands-on practice and thoughtful reflection, CEL projects enhance the university's commitments to social justice and academic rigor. Through active engagement with local communities, we try to hold up a mirror to ourselves as we work to build an increasingly inclusive and supportive community at Brandeis.