INTEGRATED TERM - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Integrated Term?

The i-Term is a way to begin college at Augsburg that allows you to focus your learning on one major question or problem, explore it in several dimensions, and consider how you want to respond.

2. What is the focus for Fall 2009?

We call it “Fate of the Earth 101.” It will explore the consumption of food, fuel, and media in contemporary culture.

3. How does it work?

Instead of taking several separate courses, like you do in high school, most of the assignments and projects will be coordinated and make sense together—to address the course theme. That’s why we call it the “Integrated Term.”

4. Who is involved?

You’ll work with a learning community of ninety curious first-year students, six professors who teach with passion, and several staff and student mentors who are eager to help you learn. Occasionally, you’ll watch a film or hear a lecture as a large group, but most of your time will be spent in smaller groups—in seminar discussions, peer writing groups, independent research, or community projects. The ratio will be 15 students for each faculty member.

Any Augsburg student may participate. Students meet just as frequently as students with a normal four-course load, but students in areas such as Honors, Music, and the Sciences should check with advising before signing up. It is possible for these students to participate in the i-Term, but they should be aware of how participation in the i-Term may effect their participation in other programs.

5. How will this help me get my degree? How does it fit with Augsburg requirements?

You’ll satisfy requirements and earn credit for many of the same courses that other first-year students take. These include:

ENG 101/ENG 111, Developmental or Effective Writing)
REL 100, Christian Vocation and the Search for Meaning I
HIS 101, Western Civilization (Liberal Arts Foundation in Humanities)
SOC 121, Intro to Human Society (Liberal Arts Foundation in Social Sciences)
AugSem (First Year Seminar)
Engaging Minneapolis

It’s a great way to begin your college education at Augsburg and explore several disciplines that could lead to a variety of majors.

6. How is this different from a regular semester of courses?

There are three main differences:

Because your professors are working closely together with you on the same question, you’ll have guidance and support to explore a challenging, complex real-world problem.

You’ll get a chance to know a group of students well because you are studying and working together throughout the term.

You’ll focus on learning rather than grades. Through a process of narrative evaluation, you will take responsibility for your learning by identifying goals, strengths, and areas to improve.

7. What is narrative evaluation?

Your professors will give you significant, detailed feedback so that you can be more successful in learning what you want to learn. You will also learn how to evaluate your own learning. We will help you to improve your work. At the end of the term, you and your professors will develop a formal written evaluation that will show future employers many of the skills and perspectives you have developed.

8. Won’t I get grades?

There are no grades in the Integrated Term. The real account of your learning is the narrative evaluation. Your transcript will show an “S” for satisfactory completion of each of the course equivalents (ENL 111 or 101, REL 100, HIS 101, and SOC 121), unless you have not completed the work, in which case it will show a “W” for withdrawal.

Students who do not meet all of the course requirements may get less than full credit for the program. (For example, they may earn credit for 2 or 3 courses equivalents, rather than all four.) On recommendation of the faculty, they may have to take individual course equivalents again separately.

We will do everything we can to help you succeed.

9. How can I find out more about the program?

Browse this web site; contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to find out dates for information sessions; and/or send us your questions using the Application Form.

10. How do I sign up?

Fill out an online application form.

Integrated Term Contact

INTEGRATED TERM - Frequently Asked Questions