Inquiry 111 Section Themes
Most first-year students at Westminster begin their college journey by taking Inquiry. The Inquiry 111 course introduces students to the study of the liberal arts, explores different ways of “knowing” and “understanding,” and applies the liberal arts perspective to specific social, moral and political issues. The All-College Honors Program contains alternative courses that fulfill First-Year Program requirements, including Inquiry 111
Inquiry sections are organized around special themes, which are described below. Students will be able to rank the themes that they find most interesting when they complete the Academic Interest Form, so that they can be placed in one of the sections that aligns with their interests.
Creativity is more than smart people having a series of "a ha" moments--"creativity is intelligence having fun" (Einstein). In this section, we will discuss how looking at the world in new ways fuels breakthroughs--in science, business, the arts, and life.
Explore the transnational linkages between individuals and societies and how these global connections impact the lives of the groups and individuals they connect. Extra attention will be paid to various aspects of globalization, including its impact on economic wellbeing, its effects on society and its impact on individual and national identities.
A cancer diagnosis can have a broad impact on not just the individual, but their community and support networks as well. Therefore, this section of Inquiry will explore the influence of cancer from a broad range of liberal arts viewpoints. In addition to an understanding of the science, medicine and statistics of the disease, students will investigate historical perspectives on cancer as well as its emotional and ethical impacts and the roles of creative expression and cultural beliefs in successful cancer care.
Why might we prefer to listen to a rapper instead of a lawyer on the subjects of crime and punishment? Why do we turn to poetry, music, and visual art when we consider what is just and what is unjust? What special powers do these means of expression provide? We’ll try to address these questions as we read and write poetry while making our inquiry into the liberal arts and responsible citizenship. This adventure will require us to learn from multiple perspectives as we learn to appreciate and create just representations of our world.
Through this course, we will explore the concept of sustainability through the three P’s of the triple bottom line: people, profit, and planet. Businesses are moving away from a profit-only model to one that considers the effects the business has on its people (employees, customers, stakeholders, suppliers, etc.), society as a whole, and the earth. We will consider the major environmental issues facing our planet and the role businesses, governments, and individuals play in those issues. As a class, we will complete a community-engaged learning project in which we apply concepts of the triple bottom line on behalf of the local community.
Using the CBS television series "EVIL," this themed seminar explores liberal arts education skills and experiences that help us question what we see and what we can't see. Students explore the known and unknown while understanding the limitations of perception and assumptions. They encounter the diversity of the human experience through multiple lenses. Just as the characters in this television drama use critical thinking and different ways of knowing to investigate supernatural claims, students use these approaches to investigate classic and emerging questions about human social and intellectual concerns. Our learning community examines how the liberal arts mission embraces healthy curiosity, fosters experiences through various intellectual perspectives and uses interdisciplinary study tools to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and engaged global citizens in a rapidly changing world.
Explore the transformative power of authentic communication, examining its effects on relationships, collaboration, and personal growth. Learn strategies to enhance clarity, empathy, and connection in diverse interactions.
Scientific thought is not always objective, neutral, and equitable because it can be shaped by people’s beliefs, social values, and biases. This can affect our lifestyles, how we die, our position in society, and even how we form our opinions about society. In this course we will explore new and “lost” stories about science discovery, knowledge, and ethical dilemmas.
How do we know what’s true? How do we decide what matters? How can we prepare to engage with questions that haven’t even been asked or phenomena that haven’t been discovered yet? In this section, students will be exposed to a wide range of written texts and other forms of expression. Throughout the course students will engage in a variety of activities designed to sharpen their critical thinking, writing and presentation skills.
Focus on positivity to find joy in your life. Positivity can also help you get through rough times and lower stress levels. It can also give you a new perspective when dealing collaboratively with others.
Explore how social media and technology affect communication, relationships, and community engagement, analyzing how media affects self-esteem and social behaviors.