University Without Walls Core Curriculum Courses
All UWW programs begin with a curriculum that develops the skills needed to grow and thrive in the fast-paced complex world. In the first semester, all UWW students take UWW 191G Frameworks of Understanding. In a later semester, they will take UWW 370 Writing About Experience, in which the prior learning portfolio is developed. Other requirements vary among the UWW programs.
UWW Courses
All UWW courses assume the significance of the students' previous learning and experience and incorporate discussion, small groups, and collaborative projects into the format. Though the instructor may occasionally give a brief presentation, these courses embrace a student-centered, interactive approach to learning instead of depending on lectures for the transmission of a subject. They are designed to promote learning through dialogue; UWW instructors give extensive feedback on all major assignments submitted and seek feedback from the class on the design and content of the course.
UWW 191G Frameworks of Understanding (all UWW programs)
General Education: I - Interdisciplinary course
This course is designed to develop the skills in critical thinking, analytical and reflective writing, and research necessary for the UWW student to design an individualized degree and to develop a prior learning portfolio. Course assignments will include readings about critical thinking and analytical writing as well as exercises and papers designed to apply the skills, particularly to the examination of experience. A portion of the course will be devoted to identifying and evaluating source materials for academic writing and then incorporating and documenting them in papers. This course satisfies an interdisciplinary (I) general education requirement for the University of Massachusetts. 3 credits.
UWW 370 Writing About Experience (all UWW programs)
This advanced
writing course fulfills one of the UWW core course requirements and also
the University of Massachusetts Amherst junior year writing requirement. In
addition, it is designed to develop improved writing skills by using
the student's own experience as the subject matter. With very few exceptions,
students enrolled in Writing About Experience use it as an opportunity
to complete a portfolio of experiential learning to be evaluated
for up to fifteen credits. Students learn to develop a multi-section document incorporating
descriptive, analytical, and reflective writing to demonstrate what
they have learned from work and life experiences. Working in small
groups, students also learn to offer specific, productive feedback to
each other, deepening their understanding of the process from both a reader's
and a writer's point of view. At the end of the course, you may expand your portfolio if you are seeking additional credits. Pre-requisite: UWW 191G and--for Individualized Degree students--one of the UWW professional development courses. 3 credits.
UWW Individualized Degree Program Courses
The four professional development courses are designed to help students connect their experience with the issues that face all who work or volunteer in organizations today. These courses focus on crucial aspects of organizational life, leadership, technology, and public policy. UWW 191G and two of the following courses are required before UWW students may take UWW 370 Writing About Experience.
UWW 310 Experiential Reflection of the Technological World (available to all UWW students)
Technology is increasingly important in our everyday lives, and we need to know how to use it well. This course will explore some of the uses and applications of technology and the impact of technology on communication, social life, and organizations. In this course non-traditional students will learn how to apply a selection of principles and frameworks of technology to their professional and life experience. 3 credits.
UWW 320 Experiential Reflection of Leadership (available to all UWW students)
In our lives and work we are often called upon to lead or to learn how to work with leaders effectively when we’re not leading. This course focuses on all aspects of leadership qualities and styles.
In this course non-traditional students will learn how to apply a selection of principles and frameworks of leadership to their professional and life experience. 3 credits.
UWW 330 Experiential Reflection of Public Policy (available to all UWW students)
Public policies profoundly affects us all. In this course we will investigate how public policy is created and how we can affect and use it. In this course non-traditional students will learn how to apply a selection of principles and frameworks of public policy to their professional and life experience. 3 credits.
UWW 340 Experiential Reflection of Organizations (available to all UWW students)
The organizations we work in are large and complicated; this course examines different kinds of organizations and focuses on how to operate in them successfully. In this course non-traditional students will learn how to apply a selection of principles and frameworks of organizations to their professional and life experience. 3 credits.
UWW Educator Licensure Program (for Massachusetts only)
In addition to taking UWW 191G Frameworks of Understanding in their first semester, students in the UWW Educator Licensure program also take UWW 196Y Degree Development. Usually in the second semester, they will take UWW 370 Writing About Experience.
UWW 196Y Degree Development (UWW Educator Licensure program only)
Degree Development offers UWW students in the Educator Licensure program a process to assist them in learning more about the UWW degree and Massachusetts state licensing system and to design a degree that will best suit their teaching goals. 3 credits.
