Enrollment down in Collins classes

Unique classes offered by Collins Living-Learning Center are facing low enrollment in the upcoming semester due in part to the switch from printed to electronic course listings, said Catherine Hawkes, Collins assistant director. \nThe new system, which replaced the paper catalog, makes it harder for students to find out about the seminars not taught anywhere else on campus.\nHawkes said it is based on speculation that the new electronic format has played a part in lower enrollment. However, she said she believes a combination of factors relating to the new system played a part in the problem.\n"It's harder to browse courses because you can't flip through a book to find interesting electives," she said. "(Students) must have in mind already which department they want to look at or even a course number."\nAnother factor Hawkes cites is that, for a while, Collins course descriptions were not listed online, though that problem has been recently corrected. \nMichael Van Vooren, University Division academic advisor for Collins, said without a book, students don't think of Collins as a department within the College of Arts and Sciences and aren't aware of the appropriate department abbreviation.\n"Students don't know to look at Collins seminars under LLC," he said.\nThough generally advertised to Collins residents, the seminars are available to any interested students. The courses are proposed by potential instructors, including graduate students, retired and emeritus professors. The student Board of Educational Programming at Collins initially reviews the proposals based on the needs and interests of Collins residents. The BOEP then holds interviews with the individual instructors and then passes its recommendations to a faculty advisory board in COAS. \nThe seven to 10 classes that make it through this process count as distribution credits within COAS.\nHawkes said the courses are meant for students who want to have an interactive educational experience because of the innovative approach the classes take.\n"The idea is to be exploratory," she said. "Students will experience varying teaching methods. There are no lectures; many times the courses involve field trips and a final project rather than a paper. Students spend a lot of time interacting with each other and with the instructor."\nOne course popular with both Collins residents and non-Collins residents last year was entitled "Homersapians," an introductory anthropology course taught through the lens of the cartoon series "The Simpsons." \nYara Clüver, assistant director at Collins who also teaches two courses, said instructors benefit from the experience as much as students.\n"I have heard so many times (from instructors) that 'these students are the best I've ever had,'" she said. "It's a lot of work on top of a full-time job, but I absolutely love it. That is why I keep doing it."\nCourse titles available this semester include "Utopia Then and Now" and "Dance in the African Diaspora". \nLow enrollment already has caused several course cancellations. \nHawkes said she hopes in the future IU will develop more user-friendly course listings or simply bring back the printed version.\n"There is something to be said for being able to sit under a tree with your book and highlighter," she said.\n-- Contact staff writer Haley Beck at habeck@indiana.edu.