Special Academic Programs - Exploration Hub

Exploration Hub - First Floor Van Meter

At the Exploration Hub, students engage in transformative experiences that connect their academic course of study to experiences outside the classroom.  These transformative experiences guide their 4 years at Goucher as well as their journey past the walls of Goucher and into their future.  Whether embarking on a study abroad experience, investing in their community through a CBL program, or testing the waters in an internship or job shadow, students will gain powerful knowledge about who they are and where they want to go beyond Goucher.  The Exploration Hub includes the following units:

Career Education - https://www.goucher.edu/career-education-office/

Community Based Learning - https://www.goucher.edu/learn/community-based-learning/

International Studies  - https://abroad.goucher.edu

Community-Based Learning

The Office of Community-Based Learning provides shared, community-based experiences and reflective opportunities that serve the entire campus community and all academic departments. Our goal is to strategically support faculty, students and the Baltimore community while focusing resources and expertise toward the continuing development of thoughtful and informed global citizens.

By actively connecting academic coursework with engaged learning in the community, students investigate assumptions about race, class and privilege, and learn how to develop beneficial, sustainable community partnerships. All academic disciplines and divisions (humanities, social sciences, sciences and the arts) incorporate community-based learning practices.

The Office of Community-Based Learning is one of three experiential learning offices located within the Exploration Hub, a place that cultivates curiosity and helps students intentionally and interactively explore the connections between academics, community-based learning, study abroad, internships and future career paths.

Special Programs

Futuro Latino Learning Center

On weekends, Goucher College is transformed into a bustling international center for the local community. Administered through Goucher College’s Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL) and Professor Frances Ramos-Fontan, the Futuro Latino Learning Center (FLLC) was created in response to a critical need for English as a Second Language (ESL) services for a rapidly growing immigrant population in Baltimore County.

The center offers a wide range of educational programs that respond to the needs and interests of the area immigrant community. Participants gather in the Van Meter Hall on Saturdays from 11am-5pm to practice conversation skills and to receive ESL and basic computer-literacy training. For children, there are kids’ cultural heritage programs to keep in touch with their Hispanic heritage while their parents are working to reach their own educational goals.

Signature Programs

Goucher has a number of weekly signature programs. We encourage students who participate in these programs to make a full, semester-long commitment. Many of these programs will require additional training and will also offer structured opportunities for reflection.

• Baltimore County Humane Society
• Goucher Scholars & Pleasant Plains Elementary School (Federal Work Study)
• Middle School Mentoring & Barclay Elementary/Middle School
• Project PLASE with Food Recovery Network
• Read-a-Story/Write-a-Story (volunteer and Federal Work Study)
• Refugee Youth Project @ Patterson High School
• TALMAR Gardens & Horticultural Therapy Center
• West Towson Neighborhood Association & Blue Water Baltimore

Student Leaders for Civic Action

Student Leaders for Civic Action (SLCA) Directors serve as a resource and leader to volunteers and community participants in Goucher College’s many off-campus and on-campus Community-Based Learning Programs.  We seek SLCA Directors who are passionate about community action and social justice.  SLCA Directors should have a high level of expertise in their particular site, or have significant experience that applies to that site or service location.  We also seek SLCA Directors who are organized, can communicate effectively, and have some experience managing or supervising peers. 

Examples of Community Based Learning Courses

• CBL 115  - Gateway to Service (2 Cr.)
• CBL 299  - Independent Work (1.5 Cr.)
• COM 401  - Topics in Media and Communication (3-4 Cr.) 
• SOA 393  - Seminar: Sociological Analysis of Selected Topics (4 Cr.)
• SP 130S  - Intermediate Spanish with Community-Based Learning (4 Cr.)
• SP 230  - Intermediate Conversation and Composition (4 Cr.)
• SP 363  - Spanish in the Workplace: Language and Culture (4 Cr.)
• THE 490  - Senior Project Workshop/Senior Project Production (4 Cr.)

Study Abroad

The college sponsors summer, winter, and semester study abroad programs. Students interested in studying abroad should contact the Office of International Studies (OIS) for further information. Students receiving any financial aid should consult the Office of Student Financial Aid before planning to participate in a study abroad program. Goucher institutional aid, including Goucher grants and scholarships, as well as any state aid, do transfer to any Goucher semester study abroad program, up to the cost of Goucher tuition for the first semester abroad experience. Participants are billed Goucher charges for their study abroad program, not the fees indicated in program literature or websites.

Students are considered in-residence while enrolled in a Goucher program. Credits and grades earned abroad on Goucher semester programs, Goucher ICAs and Goucher summer programs will be counted towards a student’s credit accumulation and calculation of grade point average. Semester courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Generally, students will be allowed to transport their Goucher institutional aid for the Goucher Oxford University yearlong program.

Goucher Semester Programs Abroad

Goucher Intensive Courses Abroad (ICAs)

These courses are all led by Goucher faculty members. Course descriptions are available under the appropriate academic program. Although most ICAs are offered every other year, these programs are subject to change without notice.

INTERNSHIPS

The Career Education Office oversees the Goucher College internship program. See full information regarding internships in the General Academic Information section of this catalogue.