LEARNING COMMONS

The Learning Commons offers Bard students collaborative learning and support through academic workshops, drop-in and subject tutoring, study rooms, and our Writing Fellows program. We provide credit-bearing courses in writing, public speaking, mathematics, and English for non-native speakers.

TUTORING

Individual tutoring in writing and in other subjects can be arranged by contacting the Learning Commons, located in the basement of Stone Row, by calling 758-7812, or by filling out the appointment form at http://inside.bard.edu/learningcommons/findtutor/.

The Learning Commons is open Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm, although tutoring sessions may be scheduled with peer-tutors for others days and times as well. Review sessions and individual tutoring for math and sciences, and drop-in hours for math and writing help are also available during the semester. Call 758-7812 for days and times, or visit the Learning Commons' website: http://inside.bard.edu/learningcommons/

THE MATH PLACEMENT DIAGNOSTIC TEST

All students at Bard College must take and pass a mathematics or computing course before graduation. If you haven’t taken a math course at Bard yet, please take our Online Math Placement Diagnostic Test. Go to http://math.bard.edu/placement/ for instructions.

SERVICES FOR DISABLED STUDENTS

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Bard College is committed to providing equal access to the College’s academic courses, programs, and activities for all students. Students with physical or psychological disabilities should register with the Disability Support Coordinator in order to receive necessary accommodations. Forms are available at: http://www.bard.edu/admission/forms/pdfs/disability.pdf.

LEARNING COMMONS COURSES

Courses listed below do not satisfy area or distribution credit.

91839

BLC 107

Intensive ESL

Denise Minin

M . . Th .

. . W . F

10:00 am- 12:30 pm

HDR 101A

HDRANX 106

(2-semester sequence, 4 credits) This yearlong class is designed to give incoming international students an overview of the Liberal Arts experience through exploring some of the fields of study Bard has to offer. Through this investigation, students will develop the academic and study skills needed to survive this challenging academic environment. An emphasis on reading and writing will provide opportunities for students to develop vocabulary, improve grammar and strengthen their grasp of the written language. Class size: 15

91840

BLC 150

Algebra Workshop

Maria Belk

M . . . .

7:00 pm -9:00 pm

HEG 204

(2 credits) This course provides a review of the algebra used in math, science, and social science courses. It is designed for students who would like to improve their algebra skills while taking or in preparation to take an introductory math, science, economics or statistics course. Topics include linear equations and their graphs, quadratic equations, fractions, rational expressions, and exponents. This course will be graded Pass/Fail. No distributional credit is earned. This course will meet for the first 10 weeks of the semester. Class size: 25

91842

BLC 180

The Art of Public Speaking

David Register

. T . Th .

11:50 am -1:10 pm

OLIN 107

(4 credits) This class will introduce students to public speaking, persuasive writing, and argument analysis. Over the course of the semester, students will: (1) examine how culture informs speaking situations, (2) develop practical skills related to the research, invention, organization, and presentation of speeches, and (3) learn how to analyze and evaluate arguments as they are presented in public speeches, political debates, television interviews, etc. Students will be required, at several points throughout the semester, to present speeches to the class as a whole. These presentations will require significant written elements including the production of three short essays, two formal outlines, and three peer evaluations. Class size: 15

91841

BLC 190

Algebra, Trigonometry, Functions

Maria Belk

. T. . .

7:00 pm -9:00 pm

HEG 204

(2 credits) This course is designed for students who have taken a pre-calculus course in high school or at Bard, but would like more computational practice with algebra, trigonometry, logarithms and exponentials. This course can be taken at the same time as a math, science, or economics course, or in preparation to take such a course in a subsequent semester. This course will be graded Pass/Fail. No distributional credit is earned. This course will meet for the first 10 weeks of the semester. Class size: 25

91843

BLC 205

Essay and Revision

Jane Smith

. T . Th .

3:10 pm -4:30 pm

OLIN 107

(4 credits) In this course, students will sharpen their skills at drafting and revising academic essays. By breaking down the writing process into its constituent steps, considering what each step needs in order to be useful, and anticipating the experience of a reader, this class allows students to hone their skills at producing successful academic writing. Along the way, we’ll consider question framing, using outside sources, revision and editing, and other skills necessary to write effectively. Class size: 12

91844

BLC 205 B

Essay and Revision

Dorothy Albertini

. T . Th .

11:50 am -1:10 pm

OLIN 301

See above. Class size: 12

91838

BLC 235

CompOSITION Theory and Pedagogy

James Keller

M . W . .

11:50 am -1:10 pm

OLIN 305

(4 credits) This course is designed for advanced writers who want to deepen their understanding of composition, rhetoric, and grammar. Topics will include composition theory, grammar and its role in the service of meaning and rhetoric, and revision in both theory and practice. We will address questions of composition pedagogy to see how successful models of teaching (and tutoring) writing can inform our understanding of the genre itself, not in theoretical isolation but as a live and critical practice. Students will write and revise essays, provide feedback to fellow writers, and complete an independent project. Class size: 15