Unique class assignments shape Roanoke's May Term campus-based courses
June 14, 2016
Reading books, taking tests and writing papers weren't the only requirements for some of Roanoke College's May classes.
Some course syllabi included milking goats, reconfiguring Barbie dolls and stuffed animals to have disabilities and making frequent visits to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford. Other students dressed up in 1700 costumes and staged a Constitutional convention, explored working and closed mines and camped, hiked and whitewater rafted in West Virginia to inspire nature writing.
These experiences comprised Roanoke's Intensive Learning courses, an assortment of field trip and campus-based courses offered for three weeks in May.
See photos of students in action during some of these unique courses.
May Term in action
Students took on the roles of state delegates during a Constitutional Convention simulation, created to resemble the historic 1787 gathering in Philadelphia. The course, "Should you ratify the Constitution?," immersed students in political ideas that shaped debates between anti-Federalists and Federalists in 1787 and 1788.
Students took on the roles of state delegates during a Constitutional Convention simulation, created to resemble the historic 1787 gathering in Philadelphia. The course, "Should you ratify the Constitution?," immersed students in political ideas that shaped debates between anti-Federalists and Federalists in 1787 and 1788.
In one course, students gained a unique perspective on living life with a disability by modifying $300 worth of toys with specific disabilities, such as amputations, trach-tubes and cochlear implants, as part of a Toys Like Me program. The toys will go to young Roanoke patients of Virginia Prosthetics and Orthotics and Carilion Children's Hospital in Roanoke. The class also mapped Roanoke's campus for disability access.
In one course, students gained a unique perspective on living life with a disability by modifying $300 worth of toys with specific disabilities, such as amputations, trach-tubes and cochlear implants, as part of a Toys Like Me program. The toys will go to young Roanoke patients of Virginia Prosthetics and Orthotics and Carilion Children's Hospital in Roanoke. The class also mapped Roanoke's campus for disability access.
Students examined how the design and construction of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford tells the story of the Normandy Invasion. The class made several trips to the memorial for analysis and final presentations.
Students examined how the design and construction of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford tells the story of the Normandy Invasion. The class made several trips to the memorial for analysis and final presentations.
For a nature writing course, students traveled to West Virginia's New River Gorge for inspiration.
Students took a trip down the New River in West Virginia as part of a whitewater rafting, camping and hiking excursion for the nature writing course. (Photo courtesy of Ace Outfitters)
Roanoke student Madison Kunstman milked a goat while spending a few days at a farm as part of her May Term course on urban farming and the locavore movement.
Sarah McGuirl helped collect eggs and feed chickens while spending several days at a farm as part of her May Term course on urban farming and the locavore movement.