Living Learning Community - Colorado College

Civic Engagement Living Learning Community
Organizing for Social Change

Program Overview

The 2009-2010 Living Learning Community (LLC) is a SOPHOMORE residential program with a focus on organizing for social change.  Students who apply must have an interest in delving deeper into social issues, learning applicable civic skills, and applying their knowledge on campus.  Those selected for the LLC live in a unique community on a renovated first floor wing of Mathias Hall, which includes a shared kitchen and lounge.  Students live by the Residential Life and Colorado College guidelines and policies; however, they create shared community standards for their living environment. 

Program Elements

Once a block, the group will meet over dinner to discuss concepts associated with social change, including community organizing, political engagement, activism, and advocacy.  Guest faculty and individuals active in the local community will provide personal experiences and background to guide some of the discussions.  Students, along with the program coordinator, will dig deeper into the meaning of civic engagement and how they can use it to facilitate social change.  From these discussions, small groups of LLC participants will collaborate to take on civic engagement projects on campus.  Student projects will identify an issue impacting the campus and engage people in dialogue and/or action. 

Students also have the OPTION of completing a forty-hour internship for a ¼ unit of credit through a partnership with the Career Center.  The internship will match both the interests of the student intern and the theme of the LLC.  Students interested in this option must enroll in GS:199, the college internship course, and turn in the required assignments, including the proposal form, learning agreement, journal/time log, one page reflection, and internship evaluation.  The non-profit internship site is up to the individual student, but the organization should have a focus on advocacy or activism. 

Program elements in review: 

• Live in the LLC space on the first floor of Mathias
• Attend the LLC retreat held during block one
• Attend dinner and discussion sessions once a block
• Carry out a civic engagement project on campus as a team (involves project sessions once a block, team planning meetings, and time on your own to complete assigned responsibilities)
• Participate in community meetings and community building activities as planned by LLC participants and the RA
• Complete an OPTIONAL 40 hour internship for a ¼ unit credit

Megan Helseth

Pidgeon Burdi

Nicky Ranadive

Alec Arellano

Susan Kim

Alicia Drapkin

Melissa Serafin

Caitlin DeWolf

Joseph Glick

Margaux Frank

Sloan Danenhower (RA)