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/
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.
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.
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(4 credits,
two-semester requirement) This course 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: 14
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15195 |
BLC 110 Grammar for Writers |
Denise Minin |
. T . Th . |
1:30pm-2:50pm |
ASP 302 |
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(4
credits) This
class examines issues of grammar, usage, and style, with an emphasis on the
difficulties encountered by non-native speakers of English. Special attention
will be given to the problems created by language transfer issues and to the
specific expectations of writing in different disciplines. Through frequent
writing and rewriting, we will study of rules and habits that lead to clear and
concise academic writing. At least 25 pages of revised writing will be
expected. Class size: 14
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15496 |
BLC 150 Algebra Workshop |
Maria Belk |
. T . . . |
7:00 pm -9:00 pm |
HEG 204 |
N/A |
(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
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15196 |
BLC 180 The Art of Public Speaking |
David Register |
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11:50am-1:10pm |
OLIN 101 |
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(4 credits) This class will introduce students to the art
of public speaking. Over the course of the semester, students will: (1) examine
the role of culture in informing 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.
Additionally, the course will explore the use of rhetoric in meeting the needs
of ceremonial occasions, the narration of events, and persuasion.
Students will be required, at several points through the course of the
semester, to present speeches to the class as a whole. In addition,
students will be responsible for weekly homework assignments and the evaluation
of one another’s presentations. Class
size: 16
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15497 |
BLC 190 Algebra, Trigonometry, Functions |
Maria Belk |
. . W . . |
7:00 pm -9:00 pm |
HEG 204 |
N/A |
(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
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15197 |
BLC 205 Essay and Revision |
Dorothy Albertini |
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11:50am-1:10pm |
OLIN 306 |
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(4 credits) In this course, we will sharpen our skills at
writing 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
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15190 |
BLC 212 Grammar, Rhetoric & Style |
James Keller |
M . W . . |
11:50am-1:10pm |
OLIN 305 |
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(4 credits) This course explores
the strategies and tools available to writers seeking to capture complex ideas
in clear and concise prose. As we write and revise essays, we will consider how
we, as writers, can control the reader’s experience of the text by writing sentences
that are not only correct but also powerful and precise. As we expand our range
of rhetorical devices, we’ll consider such questions as, “How does grammar
relate to content?” “At what point in the writing process should I worry about
grammar?” “When is it okay to break the rules?” Through careful attention to
our own work, we will gain greater control over our writing from the sentence
up—from basic grammar to more complex sentence structures and rhetorical
moves—to write more forceful, assertive prose. A total of 25 pages of revised
prose will be expected.
Class size: 12
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15198 |
BLC 305 Writing and Research |
Jane Smith |
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3:10pm-4:30pm |
OLIN 101 |
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(4 credits) This course focuses on the development of a
lengthy research paper and is designed for moderated juniors preparing to begin
work on their senior project. Emphasis will be given to the early work of
articulating a significant research question and to working with primary and
secondary sources to develop a sustained argument in response to it. Students
will be introduced to research methodologies and annotated bibliographies, and
each student will explore the specific rhetorical strategies, styles, and
formats of his or her own discipline. At least 25 pages of research will be required. Class
size: 15