Virginia Wesleyan offers five exciting options for freshmen wanting an integrated academic, co-curricular and social experience. The communities are open to students interested in pursuing any major. Each community is limited to 16 freshmen. Students complete designated courses, outlined in the community descriptions, during the freshman year with the learning community and take the remainder of their classes with a mixture of students from the larger Virginia Wesleyan community. The courses that will be taken as a member of a community count toward college or general studies requirements. All living and learning communities will reside in Bray Village.
American Politics Community
Are you passionate about policy issues and the American political process? If so, this living and learning community will give you a chance to voice your opinion. Dive into an introductory course in American Government your first semester and debate policy issues in your First Year Seminar course. Outside the classroom,you'll attend political events and forums. In the spring, you'll take a global realities political science course and social and political philosophy course.
The Creative Self
Learn from and inspire each other to realize your creative potential as artists, musicians, actors, film makers and photographers in this student-selected community. In the fall, you'll take courses in college writing, classical mythology and an applied course a creative discipline your choice. Focus on the nature of the creative process and how to develop that capacity inherent in each person through your First Year Seminar course. Continue your studies in the spring with two courses, sociology in film and music, and music and art in the western world.
The Environment and You
Explore the environment and other related issues from a liberal arts perspective by examining society's relationship with the earth. You'll complete fall courses with other members of your community in college writing, philosophy, and a First Year Seminar course designed around environmental themes. In the spring, you'll take courses in environmental geology and political science.
Religious Heritage and Faith
In this community, you'll be introduced to various faith traditions, beliefs and ethical concerns in your fall semester world religions course. At the same time, your First Year Seminar course will explore specific religious communities in the Hampton Roads area, and you'll examine how these groups respond to social, economic and political challenges. Courses for the spring semester are recommended to students in the community.
Women in Science
Examine the contributions of women in science related to graduate programs and career opportunities in your First Year Seminar course in this community. Your foundation science courses in the fall will introduce you to chemistry and calculus. In the spring, you'll take your textbook learning into the lab, performing biology and chemistry experiments. This community is only for female students interested in the physical or life sciences.
Ready to apply for a freshman living and learning community?
Just follow the steps below to begin the process.
1. Upon acceptance to Virginia Wesleyan, complete and return the Housing Preference Form along with your deposit to the Admissions Office.
2. Application deadline for the Living and Learning Communities: June 10.
3. Freshmen will be notified of acceptance to a community and their roommate assignment at New Student Orientation in July.
4. Students not selected for a Living and Learning Community will be assigned to a freshman hall by Residence Life and notified at New Student Orientation in July.