What are the options for taking UST 1000: Learning in Community?
Students starting at UMD in the fall semester have a number of options for UST 1000 that they discuss with an adviser when they come to campus to register for classes. Possibilities include 1- or 2-credit classes designed around specific topics of interest. No matter which class a student takes, the material covered is generally the same; the special topics or reserved sections simply include examples and information tailored to the unique focus of the class.
Students starting at UMD in the spring semester register for the 1-credit UST 1000 class. No special or reserved sections are offered during the spring semester.
What are the goals and learning outcomes for UST 1000: Learning in Community?
UMD students will find that every course they take includes established goals for them to reach as well as learning outcomes that determine whether those goals were met. The UST 1000 course is no different.
UST 1000: Learning in Community Goals
- Build our students' competence and confidence in the use of self-reflection as a tool for growth in their personal and educational lives.
- Teach students specific techniques for voicing their own ideas in diverse contexts, and teach them how to identify and navigate their way through environments that feature a variety of different forms of diversity.
- Help students to develop a productive sense of belonging at UMD which serves to support their academic goals.
- Prepare students to be successful in their classes by familiarizing them with the structure, culture, and resources of UMD.
UST 1000: Learning in Community Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to use self-reflection techniques to develop positions that are informed and insightful.
- Students will be able to participate responsibly in small-group and/or seminar-style classroom discussions with people holding different perspectives.
- Students will be able to identify students, staff, and faculty members that they feel comfortable approaching for help with problems or issues.
How do I become a UST 1000 Peer Leader?
Students who have successfully completed the UST 1000: Learning in Community course are eligible to become a UST 1000 Peer Leader. Interested students register for a semester-long 1-credit training course (SSP 3005) during the spring semester. Upon successful completion of the course and after going through the selection process, those chosen to be Peer Leaders are assigned a section of the UST 1000 course for the following fall semester. Peer Leaders work closely with the instructor of the class and register for SSP 3006 during the semester in which they work with UST 1000 students. If you are interested in being a UST 1000 Peer Leader, contact the Academic Writing and Learning Center at 218-726-8944 ([email protected]).
"I wanted to be a peer leader to encourage students to embrace themselves by staying true to their personalities, seeking out their interests, and developing their strengths." - Kate Murner, UST 1000 Peer Leader