Introduction to the INT Program

What Integration Means at Mercer “If you are trying to solve a big problem like nuclear weapons, it doesn’t fit into any particular discipline. It’s physics, and it’s economics, and it’s biology, it’s philosophy, and it’s political science.” Goal: give students the tools of integrative learning for the 21st century world, where information changes rapidly and they will need to work with others whose background and perspectives differ from their own.

INT 101: Understanding Self & Others Transitions first-year students to Mercer: Teaches them how to read, write, and think critically at college level. Writing instruction emphasis. Developmental emphasis on getting to know yourself and life purpose. Wrestle with challenging questions from multiple perspectives. Debates, field trips, local theatre, musical concerts.

INT 101: Understanding Self & Others Sample Themes: What Does It Mean to be Human? Race & Identity Food Politics Free Will Humor & Laughter Fairy Tales Freedom to Ask Questions & Courage to Seek Answers

INT 101: Understanding Self & Others All sections involve a signature assignment analyzing a community problem & proposing solutions. Examples: Writing a Letter to an Editor on the ethics of eating meat in USA Researching local energy producers on solar-power initiatives & water conservation Contacting a college student in another country on views of American education system

INT 201: Building Community Purpose-driven writing for a variety of audiences, in a variety of genres, in context Reflection as a tool for understanding and integration INT 101: emphasis on analytic writing INT 201: emphasis on writing for a public audience (letter to the editor, opinion pieces, policy papers, grant applications)

INT 201: Building Community Focus on critical community concerns such as poverty education racism homelessness criminal (in)justice system impact of housing and urban planning policies what divides us and what mechanisms bring us together in Macon, in students’ home communities, online, in the US…

Innovative, Engaging Pedagogies Service learning in our schools, parks, homeless shelter, community gardens, online spaces (Yik Yak) Reacting to the Past games Poverty simulation Inside-Out Prison Exchange Integrative learning throughout On the horizon: e-portfolios, an online space for integrative reflection & multimodal communication

INT 301: Engaging the World

INT 301: Engaging the World Sample Themes: (Re)Constructing Latin American Identity Apocalyptic Movements in the Middle East Understanding China in a Global Context Globalization: Africa's Experiences Arab Spring Cosmopolitanism and Its Discontents

How the INT Program has improved oral communication skills

Mercer Integrative Education in Action