Why Living/Learning Communities?
Residential Living/Learning Communities have been in place in higher education for decades. The main purpose behind them is to expand the learning experience for college students beyond the classroom.
These communities can be structured using a variety of approaches that are all intended to complete the students' college experiences by providing them with a supportive learning environment, community development programs, educational programs, and stronger relationships with faculty and staff. Some communities are linked with a specific class, while some are more them based.
Within these communities, students have the opportunity to live and learn in a seamless environment surrounding a specific theme or topic. Students in residential living/learning communities are assigned to the same residence halls; and in some communities mentored by upper-class peers who also reside in the same location; and are immersed in programs, activities, and sometimes University courses taught on-site related to the theme of the community.
Learning Communities At-A-Glance
Mason Topics
All classes in the Mason Topics program satisfy George Mason General Education Requirements for all students.
|
Program |
Hall(s) |
Description |
Qualifications |
Courses |
|
(English and Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution) (English and History) |
Jackson |
Learn how to take your place as a citizen of today's world -- Explore the diverse cultures, traditions, and values that both enrich and challenge us in our friendships and in our work lives. |
Open to any freshman student with an interest in diversity, history, learning about various cultures, or studying abroad in the future. |
This program will include such classes as world history, world religions, literature, and composition. |
|
(English and Government) |
Truman
|
The American Experience explores our past and our present. Find out how each of us takes the heritage of different families, nationalities, ethnicities, and ages, and blends them together to form the American experience |
Open to any freshman student with an interest in American history, political science, and government. |
This program will include such classes as government, communication, American literature, composition, and American history. |
|
(Communication and History) (English and History) |
Kennedy |
Explore the past and the ways that this past lives on in our world today. In this program, you will encounter classical gods and goddesses, heroes, myths, and legends. Experience wonder: that’s where Aristotle believed that philosophy began and must always begin. |
Open to any freshman student with an interest in classic arts, Greek mythology, and philosophy. |
This program will include such classes as fine art, communication, literature, composition, and history. |
|
Science, Technology and Society (Engineering and English) (Communication and Information Technology) |
Jackson |
Explore the relationship of human beings to our environment, the history of the scientific method in the western world. |
Open to any freshman student with an interest in science, sociology, and world history. |
This program will include such classes as biology, composition, literature, and history. |
University 100
|
Program |
Hall(s) |
Description |
Qualifications |
Courses |
|
Roosevelt |
Enjoy extended quiet hours on the floor while also gaining awareness of their own study habits, learning styles, and strategies for test taking. Residents and their guests commit to keeping the floor free from excessive noise and to develop mutually respectful community standards. |
Open to any freshman student with an interest in Healthy Living and a more intensive quiet community. |
University 100: Academic Skills course (required) 1 section reserved for Healthy Living community residents. |
|
|
Roosevelt |
Bring your creative energy into this community of students genuinely interested in or majoring in the arts, music, theater, or dance. |
Open to any freshman student interested in the arts, music, theater, or dance. |
University 100: Performing Arts course (required) 1 section reserved for Performing Arts community residents. |
|
|
Lincoln |
Get acclimated to Mason and learn quick tips for getting involved on campus, utilizing campus resources, and succeeding academically. Program focuses on personal leadership and scholarship development. A requirement for Freshmen Scholars living in the residence halls. |
Priority given to students accepted in the University Scholars Program. |
University Scholars will automatically be enrolled in the University 100 Scholars section reserved for Performing Arts community residents |
|
|
Carroll |
The SOM Living and Learning Community offers the opportunity to get an early start on getting to know current SOM students, faculty and advisors. |
Priority given to freshmen applicants interested in: Accounting, Decision Sciences and Management Information Systems, Finance, Management and Marketing. Students must apply for acceptance to this program. The application can be found here. |
All students accepted for the SOM LLC enroll in a SOM section of UNIV 100, taught by a SOM professional advisor and designed for beginning business students. |
|
|
Carroll |
Live and learn with other students interested in teaching, close to the College of Education! |
Open to any student with an interest in teaching |
UNIV 100: Teachers of Tomorrow - 1 section reserved for TOT residents (taught in Hanover Hall) |
|
|
Essex |
Learn about yourself at home! Explore your personality traits, interests, passions, skills, abilities, related to academic fields of study, and potential careers. |
Open to Exploratory first year students who want to explore a variety of academic majors and career paths. |
UNIV 100: Career Planning - 1 section reserved for Explorers residents (taught in Hanover Hall) |
|
|
(Building Respect for Identities, Diverse Gender Expressions, and Sexualities) |
Harrison |
Residents are supported and can learn in a community focused upon the exploration, awareness, development, and study of all sexual orientations and gender identities as they are socially, academically, and personally developed |
Open to any freshman students |
UNIV 100: BRIDGES - 1 section reserved for BRIDGES community residents (taught in Eisenhower Hall) |
Themed Communities
|
Program |
Hall(s) |
Description |
Qualifications |
Courses |
|
|
||||
|
Franklin |
Residents involved in this program will benefit by living on the floor with their fellow cadets and keeping each other motivated in the academic programs and other ROTC activities. |
Open to first year and upper class students enrolled in the Army ROTC program |
Cadets on the floor have the opportunity to take courses together and be involved in activities with the military science faculty. |
|
|
Commonwealth |
Live and learn with international exchange students from around the world, and American students interested in studying abroad and learning about other cultures. |
Open to any upperclass student with an interest in interacting with international students, learning about various cultures, or studying abroad. |
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|
|
Student Apartments |
An opportunity for Honors students to continue their experience from freshman year. |
Open to previous Honors LLC residents. |
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|
|
Dickenson |
Participate with faculty and floor mates in a curriculum that reflects a commitment to educational experiences that prepare graduates for the demands of active responsible citizenship. |
Open to first-year and upper-class students in the New Century College program. |
During the year, students enroll in a sequence of four courses conveniently scheduled Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
|
|
Dickenson |
Work together with other students to develop an environmentally conscious community where students can bond, learn and work together. The Community plays a leadership role in educating the broader GMU community about environmental issues and carrying out campus environmental initiatives. |
Open to any students |
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|
Harrison |
The Dance Majors Living Learning Community has been designed to support students living on the floor by having them live amongst their peers and keeping each other motivated through the first year of curriculum in the Dance major |
Priority given to first year students who have been accepted into the Fine Arts Program for Dance Majors. |
Dance majors meet weekly with faculty in a seminar style course designed to help them learn more about the university and the Fine Arts department. Residents of the Dance majors community will have the opportunity to be involved in programs with the UNIV 100: Performing Arts Floor. |
|
|
Adams |
The Honors Program in General Education offers students the opportunity to build stronger connections with fellow Honors students with similar academic aspirations. Enjoy academic and social activities with other Honors students, faculty, and staff. |
Priority given to students who participate in Mason’s Honors Program . A limited number of rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission to the Honors Program is by invitation only and is based on academic record. There is no formal application process. |
The Honors program provides students with an integrated, interdisciplinary curriculum that satisfies General Education requirements for graduation and serves as a foundation for advanced work in the major. |
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Living and Learning
Communities
