In Autumn Quarter, all first year students take a course that introduces them to some facet of the intellectual resources of the city, emphasizes DePaul’s roles and mission in the city, and provides students with opportunities to connect classroom learning with persons, communities and institutions in metropolitan Chicago. Students select either an Explore Chicago or a Discover Chicago course. Topics vary. Discover Chicago courses combine classroom work and an intensive “immersion week.” In either type of course, the faculty instructor serves as the students’ academic advisor until they declare a major and are assigned a departmental advisor.

Learning Outcomes and Writing Expectations
Approved by the Liberal Studies Council, Spring 2006

Learning Outcomes:

1. Students can accurately describe aspects of the physical city (sites, neighborhoods, natural areas, transit systems, etc.) and can cite examples of community-specific resources and initiatives (health, arts, outreach, historical, not-for-profit, etc.) in order to demonstrate that students have gained knowledge of the metropolitan community, its neighborhoods, cultures, people, institutions, organizations and issues.
   (This is a response to CQ Learning Goal 4: Students will be acquainted with the Chicago Metropolitan area, its neighborhoods, cultures, people, institutions, organizations, and issues.)
2. Students will demonstrate competent oral and/or written rhetorical skills (e.g. clearly identified thesis and/or main point, development of ideas, standard grammatical usage, clear organization).
   (This is a response to Goal 2: Students will develop writing and rhetorical skills through classroom exercises and projects.)
3. Students can make distinctions about the diversity of the city (ethnic, racial, class, neighborhoods, etc).
   (This is a response to Goal 3: Students will be exposed to Vincentian values of community service and respect for diversity.)
4. Students will be able to use the knowledge gained through Learning Outcomes 1- 3 to formulate a thesis about an aspect of Chicago pertinent to the theme of that course section, and support that thesis with appropriate evidence.
5. Students can demonstrate their ability to navigate university resources, identify academic success skills, and engage in educational, career, and financial planning.
   (This is a response to the common hour goals wherein students learn about university life, resources, and how to be a successful student.)

Writing Requirements:

Discover and Explore Chicago courses will require:

1. a minimum of 7 – 10 pages of formal writing (typed and graded) and at least 12 pages of writing overall.
2. This amount of writing should be divided between at least two different types of assignments (e.g. journal, group projects, site visit reports, readings-based assignments).
3. At least one of these assignments should involve critical analysis of concepts, texts, or arguments.