JC Professor Among Seventeen Chosen for Community College Course Redesign Institute
Dr. Patricia Richey, chairperson for the Social Sciences Department at Jacksonville College, was recently accepted to attend the Community College Course Redesign Institute in American Political and Social Thought. The institute was held at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas. Seventeen professors from across the nation participated in the program where they learned new strategies to promote discussion-based learning using transformative texts. The ideas that shape our political and social lives are vital in an era of declining civic knowledge, lack of civic education, and increased polarization. Richey believes that “active learning” helps students think critically. For several years, her students have participated in Reacting to the Past games where they play a historic character in events such as writing the Constitution or annexing Texas. As part of the Institute in American Political and Social Thought, Richey’s students will also examine transformative texts and discuss them in small groups.
In addition to the benefit of learning to think critically, Richey believes that active learning will enhance the students’ skills in writing, speaking, goal setting, time management, relationship building, problem solving, and ethical reasoning. These are highly sought after skills in the modern workplace. Currently, Richey is redesigning her American National Government course for the upcoming spring semester. By the end of the semester, Richey hopes that students will have learned a great deal about the founding documents and the struggles our country has faced in following the ideas set forth by the principles found in these documents. Jacksonville College instructors integrate a biblical worldview into academic course materials. Richey believes that the course redesign will be helpful as she and other professors fulfill the mission of the college to provide Christ-centered teaching and training that prepares students to lead meaningful lives that transform the world.
Jacksonville College is a private, junior college located at 105 B.J. Albritton Drive in Jacksonville, Texas. For more information on Jacksonville College, visit www.jacksonvillecollege.edu.
Richey, pictured 2nd from the left in the middle row, with colleagues from the Course Redesign Institute