The design of First Year Seminar provides an opportunity for students and faculty to use co-curricular opportunities both on and off campus. These opportunities will help first year and transfer students to make the connection that learning is not always done in the classroom. The incorporation of these opportunities can be as simple as accompanying students to the event and then having students write a reflection journal about what they learned and how it applies to what is being learned in the classroom; however, if you want to incorporate the experience in a much more intricate way in your classroom you can.
Examples of how faculty have used co-curricular activities include:
- Attending the Russian Ballet and writing a reflection journal on the performance
- Attending a performance of Romeo and Juliet and writing a reflection journal on the performance
- Attending Del Mccoury Band and Preservation Hall Concert and writing a reflection journal
- Studying the culture of rivers and then helping with the New River Clean Up
- Learning about the community of Elk Knob then building the hiking trail at Elk Knob Park and helping with Elk Knob Community Day
Instructors have also worked with colleagues to combine classes and take them on co-curricular activities. Activities done in the past include:
- Attending the National Storytellers Festival in Jonesborogh, TN
- Visiting to the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.
- Visiting the RReNEW Collective, an organic farm in Appalachia, Virginia
Instructors are encouraged to seek out and support free campus and community events and activities. Here are some helpful links to see what's happening on campus and in the community:
Free Events for Students and Faculty
- Arts at Appalachian - This site is an overview of the diverse and vibrant arts programs that enrich the cultural and intellectual climate of the ASU campus and region.
- Turchin Center - The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts presents exhibition, education, and collection programs that support Appalachian State University's role as a key regional educational, cultural, economic and service resource.
- Rosen Concert Series/Hayes School of Music - The Hayes School of Music also engages the local and regional community with more than 190 concerts each year, giving students valuable performance experience. The school offers summer workshops for teachers, year-round musical instruction for people of all ages through our community music school and the renowned Cannon Music Camp for outstanding high school musicians.
- The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series -This series brings visiting poets, fiction and non-fiction writers to speak to the ASU campus and the community.
- Department of Theatre and Dance - The Department of Theatre & Dance offers an array of productions each year featuring students, faculty, alumni and other professionals.
- Outdoor Programs - Outdoor Programs has offered ASU Students, Faculty and Staff a chance to get outside and seek challenge and adventure for nearly 40 years. We are NOT a club and there is NO membership required. We always have something going on from 3-hour team building experiences to 55-day International expeditions, state of the art indoor climbing center to rental gear, OP has something for everyone. So, take a look at the 09/10 Adventure Book, poke around the website and stop by our Base Camp in the Student Recreation Center to discover everything OP can offer you. Don't settle for inside!
- Arts Calendar - This site shows upcoming arts and cultural events at ASU.
Paid Events
- APPS - Through its seven programming councils, A.P.P.S. members select, plan, promote, and present a diverse variety of popular entertainment programs and films which enhance the social and cultural life for Appalachian students.
Service Learning Experiences
- Appalachian and the Community Together - Appalachian & the Community Together (ACT) is Appalachian State University's clearinghouse for community service, service-learning, and community-based research opportunities within the NC High Country area, as well as across the state, nation, and world. We offer diverse opportunities for individuals and student groups to get involved in human services and environmental advocacy, as well as assist faculty members and community partners with integrating community service projects into their academic courses and local agencies.