Integrative Learning
The Integrative Learning programs at Holyoke Community College promote integrative teaching and learning across the general education curriculum. Integrative Learning allows faculty and students to build connections not only within the classroom, but outside the classroom as well – to local communities, local businesses and nonprofits, and to colleges and universities statewide. Because we all face a rapidly changing and ever more interconnected world, developing capacities for integrative learning is central to personal success, social responsibility, and civic engagement in today's global society. Integrative learning is not just a benefit, but a necessity.
Integrative courses at HCC are designed by creative faculty who model and build integrative skills, with curricula that define pathways to encourage integrative learning within and across fields. The ILP administers and coordinates four academic programs which offer courses organized around a variety of contemporary themes:
The Honors Program is designed for HCC students who seek to excel academically and may be considering transfer to a selective college or university.
All liberal arts majors must complete a minimum of six credit hours of an Integrative Learning Experience to graduate from HCC's Liberal Arts & Sciences program. Honors courses fulfill this requirement, and can also satisfy the general education requirements.
Learn more on our Honors page.
Learning Communities are team-taught, interdisciplinary courses that take a common theme and view it through the lens of multiple disciplines, such as English and Psychology or English and Theater. LCs help under-prepared students to prepare, prepared students to advance, and advanced students to excel.
Learn more on our Learning Communities page.
Service Learning is an educational initiative in which students complete a project in the community that directly relates to the objectives of a course and meets the needs of the community-based organization.
Learn more on our Service Learning page.
HCC's Experiential Learning program provides our students with the opportunity to test drive real-world careers in their field of study through academic internships.
Learn more on our academic internships page.
Integrative Learning
What are Learning Communities? What happens in Service Learning classes? Will Honors classes prepare me for a four-year college? This short video addresses some of those issues through the voices and experience of HCC students. (Video produced for HCC by KnoxworX Multimedia.)
