Theme-Based Courses, such as "The Power of a False Perception": Debra Sikes

I consider one of my best practices to be the development of theme based courses.

Currently, I have two running and am planning to revamp my Comp II on campus classes to also be theme based.

For the past two years, I've taught Comp I with a student success theme. In the language of educational research, I might call it "Factors in the Affective Domain that Impact College Student Success." As texts, I used documentaries, YouTube, and articles from the college database. Students examine texts, write personal observational reports and write papers on the subjects of emotional intelligence; green exercise; nutrition and anti-nutrition; and the rapidly changing universe. Students complete portfolio entries over their viewings, readings, and observations, as well write major papers so they are writing at least 6,000 words in the class and are learning APA style as well as MLA. Three of the papers require the use of outside sources.

Students have been happy with the course.

My theme of my online Comp II class is "The Power of a False Perception." For next semester, I'm hoping to offer a theme of "The Literature of Happy" for on campus Comp II.