INTEGRATED LEARNING SERIES

The Integrated Learning Series: Liberal Arts in Action

BY ELISABETH WULF ’21

It is the best of a liberal arts “ pedagogy at work.

It may seem impossible that two courses as seemingly disparate as statistical analysis and ceramics could have anything in common. But at St. Catherine University, the Integrated Learning Series provides the opportunity for creative and critical conversation across various interdisciplinary fields by creating connections across campus through a central theme.

As each academic year begins, the stage is set for the series with a multifaceted theme like “change.” It may take its inspiration from a book, such as Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower during the 2018–19 academic year, or social justice issues as the summer 2020 series on facing systemic racism did.

Tarshia Stanley, PhD, dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences (left), makes it her mission to bring the liberal arts to life through the series in a way that reflects the University’s values.

“My vision is that students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community know that St. Kate’s is their partner and ambassador in facilitating lifelong learning,” says Stanley. “The Integrated Learning Series is the place we continue to meet our constituents and empower them to be ethical, equitable, and intellectual citizens and leaders. It is the best of a liberal arts pedagogy at work.”

She explains that the series intends to tell a story about St. Kate’s identity, mission, and communal purpose. With each activity, speaker, performance, exhibition, and classroom conversation, a page is added to the narrative.

The academic year is filled with opportunities for individuals to cross paths with different dimensions of the University’s theme, including library exhibitions, artist workshops, theater performances, and alumni activities. Faculty might incorporate the theme into their syllabi in ways that engage students with their subject in a local and global real-world context. Important questions raised inside the classroom are interwoven with varied perspectives expressed outside the classroom, when campus organizations hold events centered around the theme.

The greater St. Kate’s community is invited to continue the dialogue during campuswide presentations, lectures, and guest speakers. During a summer 2020 Integrated Learning Series event, “At the Confluence of the Liberal Arts and Social Justice — Race in the Machine,” St. Kate’s professors and experts from around the nation were invited to share their perspectives on addressing racism.

The Integrated Learning Series brings the liberal arts to life, stitching together different fields of knowledge through experience. The fall 2020 semester will continue the theme “change” with a focus on the election and historical suffrage movements, weaving together the liberal arts, St. Kate’s values, and our present day through connected learning experiences for the entire community.

Learn more at stkate.edu/integrated-learning-series.