Institutional Information The University of Charleston is an independent, comprehensive institution of higher education serving approximately 1100 full-time undergraduate students in three academic divisions- Arts and Sciences, Business, and Health Sciences. The University is located in the capital city of West Virginia and benefits from its proximity to the seat of govenrment, to the state's largest medical, commercial and financial centers, and to major research and manufacturing facilities. The University's outcome-based curriculum integrates liberal learning outcomes in communication, citizenship, critical thinking, creativity, ethical practice and science with outcomes in a major field of study ensuring that graduates are educated for a "life of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement." UC Home Page

Mini-grants Showcase Among the integrative projects our faculty worked on this year: John Robinson designed and wrote dozens of webpages that help students in anatomy learn the musculoskeletal system Joellen Kerr implemented a course in historic preservation leading a small town in southern West Virginia in its efforts to be placed in the national historic registry Jennifer Hoffman helped students develop advanced critical thinking skills by use of special software that helps math students utilize programmable calculators more efficiently Ericka Zimmerman developed video vignettes of athletes' injuries for proper assessment techniques for students in athletic training Jo & Neale Blackwood created a new course in earth sciences that takes students to geological sites and provides other out-of-class activities Barbara Wright developed a course in music history utilizing iPod technology Laura Festa developed an online freshman-level introduction in ethical practice that is utilized by all freshman on campus Historical Preservation Project

Learning Your Way

Project UC's project continues to focus upon enhancing and celebrating integrated learning assignments that are aligned with program and liberal learning outcomes. We continue to: Showcase integrated learning assignments that strengthen student learning Support faculty in their efforts to increase the variety and quality of integrated learning assignments Create opportunities for sharing our scholarship of teaching and assessment with one another Faculty members are invited to submit proposals for designing and improving their integrated learning assignments. Ten proposals per academic year are chosen to showcase best practices. Faculty members recieve stipends to support their work and must share their results during faculty forums.

Joan Clark and Radiologic Science students discuss techniques for imaging

Where's Waldo - Ask Alan Team The UC team is expanding to include more of the full-time faculty members as they become engaged in designing assignments around the integrated learning project goals. Academic leadership still rests with the Academic Division Chairs - Laura Festa, Jimmy Jones, & Bob Bliss - and the two Assistant Provosts - Alan Belcher & Karen Merriman

Dr. Marty Spiker assists Psychology students with SPSS. Faculty Center

Faculty workshop showcasing strategies for the integration of liberal learning outcomes. Drs. Jo & Neal Blackwood, Jennifer Hoffman, and our new Provost, Dr. Stebbins.