“How are we to cope with the inevitability that some of what we most love in life we will lose?” Grounded in Greco-Roman antiquity (Professor Coleman’s area of expertise), but ranging across history, culture, and every student’s life, Gen Ed 1131 asks students to understand how humans confront loss: emotional loss, primarily bereavement, but also loss of home, exile, amputation, various forms of ‘ambiguous loss,’ and even anticipated loss.
Gen Ed 1131 is a model of thoughtful pedagogy that inspires deep student learning. The course adopts a multidisciplinary approach and ranges widely across time and space. Professor Coleman strives for a high level of interactivity in lecture and is committed to cultivating individual connections with her students to enhance the learning experience for all students, even when enrollment exceeds 100. Gen Ed 1131 includes three field trips that capitalize on local resources and engage students intensely. Course assessments are well scaffolded and rigorous. Over the years, students have consistently expressed deep appreciation for the transformative power of this course and her dedication to her students.