Living/Learning Communities

Where each facet of your college EXPERIENCE enriches the other

Students who take several classes together make friends more quickly, form study groups, and generally have an easier time adjusting to college life.

But some students want more. They'd like a stronger connection between their academic goals and their extracurricular activities. They hope college will introduce them to other students who share their passion for a subject and will challenge them in new and exciting ways.

"Because of the First-Year Connections program I have been able to meet a lot of people who are interested in many of the same things as I am, and the program has helped me make some real good friends."
- Clifford Chapin, Class of 2010

Borrowing from the thematic learning and close-knit classroom settings that are hallmarks of the First-Year Connections program, Hofstra has also created special opportunities for a first-year residence experience.

Eight thematic "living/learning communities" are associated with several first-year clusters and seminars, giving students the opportunity to live with many of the same students they are in class with, as well as students who share the same passion for political and civic issues, health science issues, or the arts.

Students who choose a living/learning community reside together in the Netherlands Complex in a house with 55 other first-year residential students. These students enjoy class-based activities as well as events within their living/learning community.

Commuting students who register for the following First-Year Connections clusters and seminars may also participate in the activities associated with these living/learning communities.

• S.T.A.G.E.

  S.T.A.G.E. (Students Aspiring for Greatness in Entertainment) will house students who share an interest in performing arts including dance, vocal, instrumental, theatrical and comedic performances. This LLC is located in Hague House; Netherlands Complex.

  
  

  F9:Modern Dance (Total = 8.5 s.h.)
  
  Please note: DNCE 11 satisfies a University degree requirement in the Humanities, and WSC 1
  (or its equivalent) is required of all students.
  
  DNCE 11, sec. F9: Modern Dance I (CP), (2.5 s.h.) (for dance majors only)
  T/TH, 9:35-11 a.m., Stormy Brandenberger
  
  DNCE 11, sec. FA: Pilates Lab,
  M, 10-11 a.m., Eleanor Kusner
  
  and
  DNCE 11, sec. FB: Modern Dance Lab,
  W, 2:20-3:45 p.m., Robin Becker
       and
  DNCE 11, sec. FC: Freshman Performance Lab,
  4-5:30 p.m., Maxine Steinman
       and
  WSC 1, sec. F9: Composition, (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 2:20-3:45 p.m., Robert Vestigo
       and
  MUS 151, sec. F9: Rhythmic Training and Accompaniment for Dance, (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 4-5:25 p.m., Glen Fittin

  OR

  F7:Drama and the Visual Arts (Total = 9-10 s.h.)
  Please note: AH 4 satisfies a University degree requirement in the Humanities, and WSC 1 (or its equivalent) is required of all students.
  DRAM 9, sec. F7: Play Analysis, (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 11:10 a.m.-12:35 p.m., Christopher Dippel

  AH 4, sec. F7: Religion, Rulers and Rebellion (AA),  (3 s.h.)
  M/F, 11:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m., Martha Hollander
  WSC 1 sec. F7: Composition  (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 2:20-3:45 p.m., Patricia Navarra
                   
  or

  sec. FG: Composition (4 s.h.)
  T/TH, 9-10:55 a.m., Robert Vestigo

• STUDIO

  STUDIO will house students who share an interest in the physical arts including graphic design, photography, film, paint and pottery. This LLC is located in Groningen House; Netherlands Complex.

  
  

  ARTS (STUDIO)

  FA 14F, sec. 01: Leonardo da Vinci to Andy Warhol: Why Art and Artists Cause Trouble
   (AA), (4 s.h.) M/W,12:50 -2:45 p.m.,
  Laurie Fendrich

  OR

  FA 14F, sec. 02: Graphic Design Inspirations (CP),
  (4 s.h.) M/W, 1-2:50 p.m.,
   Beth Ocko

• PreP

  PreP (Pre Health Professions) is for students considering medical, veterinary or dental studies; physician assistant studies; community health studies; or clinical psychology studies. This LLC is located in Leiden House; Netherlands Complex.

  Cluster F10: Pre-Health Professions
  (Total = 11 s.h.)
  Most medical, dental and veterinary schools require a solid foundation in science, particularly biology and chemistry. After all, organisms are massive collections of biological molecules executing complex combinations of chemical reactions in a highly controlled and regulated manner. This cluster explores general chemistry, animal form and function, and the interplay between these disciplines in the function of organisms, particularly humans. Throughout the cluster, we consider how various chemical and biological processes are related and influence the human condition. The cluster includes first-year composition (WSC 1), which will emphasize writing in the sciences.

  Please note: BIO 12 and CHEM 3A satisfy University degree requirements in the Natural Sciences, and WSC 1 (or its equivalent) is required of all students.

  BIO 12, Cluster sec. F10: Animal Form and Function
  (NS), (4 s.h.)
  M/W/F, 9:05-10 a.m., Charles Peterson
  BIO 12 Lab sec. FAL
  
  M, 2:20-5:20 p.m., Charles Peterson
  or
  BIO 12 Lab sec. FBL
  
  T, 2:20-5:10 p.m., Charles Peterson
  and
  CHEM 3A, Cluster sec. F10: General and Inorganic Chemistry (NS), (4 s.h.)
  M/W/F, 10:10-11:05 a.m.; TH, 8:30-9:25 a.m.
  Vandana Bindra
  CHEM 3B Lab sec. FA
  
  W, 2-4:50 p.m., Ronald Strothkamp
  or
  CHEM 3B Lab, sec. FB
  
  TH, 2:20-5:10 p.m., Vandana Bindra
  and
  WSC 1, sec F10: Composition, (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 9:35-11 a.m., Margaret Stein
  or
  WSC 1, sec. FJ: Composition
  (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 11:10 a.m.-12:35 p.m., Margaret Stein

• MATH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING HOUSE

  Home to students who have an interest in an array of science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines. This LLC is housed in Rotterdam House within the Netherlands. This LLC is located in Rotterdam House; Netherlands Complex.

  Cluster F11: Engineering
  (Total = 6 s.h.)

  This cluster explores the world that humans have designed — the products and processes used in its development. There are three main components of the first-year engineering design course. First, the informed design process connects basic science and mathematics to an eight-step design cycle that enables students to grasp the basics of conceptual engineering design. Second, teamwork is emphasized: Students collaborate on homework and compete with other teams in designing lab projects. Third, communication skills are explored and developed through problem-solving activities and brainstorming sessions. Class sessions are composed of rich media content, including Flash animations, video clips, graphic images, music, and active learning methods to enhance student involvement, learning and change. The six lab projects allow teams to design and build their own prototypes within project specifications and time constraints, develop good interpersonal team dynamics, and improve their oral and written communication skills.

  Please note: ENGG 15 satisfies a University degree requirement in the Natural Sciences, and WSC 1 (or its equivalent) is required of all students.

  ENGG 15, Cluster sec. F11: Designing the Human-Made World (NS), (3 s.h.)
  M/W, 12:50-1:45 p.m., Mauro Caputi
  and one of the following groups:

  ENGG 15 Lab, sec. FAL
  
  M, 2:20-4:20 p.m., Mauro Caputi
  and
  WSC 1, sec. FK: Composition
  (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 2:20-3:45 p.m., Dan Cole
  
  or
  
  ENGG 15 Lab, sec. FBL
  
  W, 2:20-4:20 p.m., Mauro Caputi
  and
  WSC 1, Cluster sec. F11: Composition
  (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 11:10 a.m.-12:35 p.m., Dan Cole
  
  or
  
  ENGG 15 Lab, sec. FCL
  
  F, 12:50-2:50 p.m., Mauro Caputi
  and
  WSC 1, Cluster sec. F99: Composition
  (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 12:45-2:10 p.m., Paul Carson
  
  or
  
  ENGG 15 Lab, sec. FDL
  
  T, 2:20-4:20 p.m., Mauro Caputi
  and
  WSC 1, sec. FDL: Composition
  (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 11:10 a.m.-12:35 p.m., Elizabeth Hynes-Musnisky

  or

  F5: The Making and Breaking of Codes (Total = 7 s.h.)
  Cryptography is the science of encoding messages so that only the intended receiver can decipher them. Cryptography has a long, rich history. It is an area of active research today and has gained a high profile since the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Students will learn to solve problems and to implement their solutions on a computer. Students will develop their mathematical skills (especially logic, proof and counting), and will apply these skills to the development and analysis of several strong encryption systems. Teaching methods will emphasize collaborative work and experimental learning. Priority is given to computer science and computer engineering majors, but non-majors are welcome. For students who are primarily interested in satisfying their distribution requirement, the cluster will provide an opportunity to develop creative problem solving and analytical skills in the context of a problem of current political and social import.
  
  Please note: CSC 14 and 15 satisfy University graduation requirements in Mathematics/Computer Science.
  
  CSC 14, sec. F5: Discrete Structures for Computer Science I (MC), CRN: 91680 (3 s.h.)
  T/TH, 12:10-2:05 p.m., Gretchen Ostheimer
  CSC 15, sec. F5 and FAL: Fundamentals of Computer Science I: Problem Solving and Program Design and Lab (MC), CRNs: 91681and 91682 (4 s.h.)
  Lecture, M/W, 9:50-11:05 a.m.; Lab, F, 9:50 a.m.-noon; Krishnan Pillaipakkamnatt

• PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS

  Designed for students who are keenly interested in politics and the challenges that our elected officials face. Students of all majors and political affiliations are welcome; this house thrives on democratic debate about the responsibilities of our nation’s leaders.This LLC is housed in Utrecht House in the Netherlands.

  Cluster F3: Presidential Politics (Total = 13 s.h.)

  This cluster examines the role of elections in American politics, with particular attention to the upcoming 2012 presidential and congressional elections. The question underlying the course is, How do elections influence the nature of representation in American politics? Specific topics include the relevance of the electoral college in the 21st century; the decline of political parties and the rise of independent voters; and the demands of the 24-hour news cycle on political campaigns. Students study the importance of elections through historical, political and expository windows, and they have special readings and assignments that bridge all three courses. This cluster includes one semester hour of instruction in library research methods (CRNs xxxxx and xxxxx).

  Please note: HIST 14C and PSC 1 satisfy University graduation requirements in the Social Sciences, and WSC 1 (or its equivalent) is required of all students.
  HIST 14C, sec. F3: American Civilization
  (HP), (4 s.h.) M/W, 12:50-2:50 p.m.,
  Michael D’Innocenzo    

  PSC 1, sec. F3: American Politics
  (BH), (4 s.h.)  T/TH, 10:05 a.m.-noon,
   Meena Bose

  WSC 1: Composition (4 s.h.)
  sec. F3: T/TH, 12:10-2:05 p.m., Daisy Miller
                    or
  sec. FC: T/TH, 2:15-4:10 p.m., Daisy Miller

• W.E.L.L. HOUSE

  W.E.L.L. (Well-balanced Exploration of Life Lessons) residents are engaged in a community that supports balanced living and helps students cultivate a healthy lifestyle as it applies emotionally, intellectually, physically, environmentally, socially and spiritually. The community is nurtured through programming and regular interaction with students, staff and faculty. This LLC is located in Rensselaer House; Netherlands Complex.

  PSY 14F, sec. 04: The Psychology of Health and Wellness
  (BH), (4 s.h.)
  T/TH, 2:20-3:45 p.m., Sarah Novak
  Please note: The course satisfies a University graduation requirement in the Social Sciences.       

  AND

  SBLY 1, sec. F40: Introduction to Sustainability
  (IS) (3 s.h.)
  M/W, 2:55-4:20 p.m., Robert Brinkmann
  Please note: The course satisfies a University graduation requirement in the Interdisciplinary Studies.

• L.E.A.D. HOUSE

  L.E.A.D. House (Leadership through Engagement, Advocacy and Dedication) encourages active social, academic and professional involvement within the campus and local community. Students take an in-depth look at leadership and learn about decision making, team building, ethics, goal setting and communication. Using these leadership skills, residents will be encouraged to pursue their passion for social issues on a local, regional and national level – starting right here on campus. This LLC is located in Orange House; Netherlands Complex.

  SOC 14F, sec. 01: Fight the Power: Global Justice Activism in the Contemporary Era
  (BH), (4 s.h.)
  M/W, 12:50-2:45 p.m., Lyndi Hewitt-Corzine 
  Please note: The course satisfies a University graduation requirement in the Social Sciences.

  SOC 14F, sec. 02: Power, Protest, and Your Future in America's Democracy
  (BH), (4 s.h.)
   T/TH, 2:15-4:10 p.m., Cynthia Bogard
  Please note: The course satisfies a University graduation requirement in the Social Sciences.

The learning experience is not limited to the four walls of the classroom, or even to the borders of the campus. Through these energetic living/learning communities, Hofstra students are exposed to environments that are intellectually stimulating, supportive and conducive to building lasting friendships and a memorable first-year college experience.