Graduation Year
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Granting Department
Anthropology
Major Professor
Karla Davis-Salazar
Keywords
Creating Community, Impacting Community, Learning Community, Student Cohorts
Abstract
This study explores the role of `community' within a university campus Learning Community (LC). With a cohort-based structure, an LC exists to enhance student learning through peer cooperation and participation, however the scope of what constitutes community within these cohorts is not currently understood. This study investigates the roles of individual reciprocity, communication, need, time, and physical environment in community building, utilizing qualitative interviews and observations of a 30 member LC over the course of two academic years and a four-week study abroad experience in Panama. Through this, the vital roles of the orientation period and programming staff are revealed and should be considered in order to generate more effective LCs with stronger cohort communities.
Scholar Commons Citation
Denny, Maura B., "Creating Community: A qualitative study to identify factors impacting community in a university Learning Community cohort" (2013). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/4884
