Learning Theme at CF

In 2002-2003, the college inaugurated an institutionwide learning theme, Integrity: A Value of Community. The learning theme was designed to promote connections among the segments of the CF community — students, faculty, staff, administration — and with the larger community of which it is a part.

In exploring an annual theme, the college family becomes more involved in the holistic nature of learning, in developing an awareness of "learning across the curriculum," and in directly experiencing knowledge and insight that cross departmental barriers. Involving students in a learning theme also has the benefit of reinforcing the Institutional Learning Outcomes of Communications, Computer and Information Skills, Critical Reasoning, Global Socio-Cultural Responsibility and Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning. Students, staff, and faculty read a book in common and organize classroom and campus events around questions related to the theme.

The alternating themes are based on defining the values in the college vision statement — integrity, service, responsibility and dignity — as well as timely and meaningful issues. Global Socio-Cultural Responsibility with a focus on the Middle East is the theme for 2012-2013. The Learning Theme text is "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk, 2006 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature.