Residential Curriculum Model

The Office of Residential Life utilizes a Residential Curriculum Model to promote development of students in the co-curricular context of residential spaces.  The model is guided by an educational priority, aligns with overarching university learning goals and the Residential Life Mission, and is outlined through an educational plan.

Educational Priority:

As a result of progressively independent residential experiences, students will increase their self-awareness, communicate effectively, and think critically as they learn to engage with their community.

The learning goals below provide a brief introduction to our curricular model:

• Increased Self-Awareness

  Through an exploration of intent and impact, students will increase their understanding of how their actions, thoughts and emotions align with internal standards.

  Increased Self-Awareness (SA) is based on Wesleyan's Mapping Goal- Navigating Complex Environments.

  Self-awareness allows a student to intentionally curate their relationship with people and systems around them. Within an ever-changing and increasingly digital world the Office of Residential Life will help students navigate information to identify what is meaningful. Devising a personal values and beliefs system will better allow students to understand the impact of their actions and promote personal accountability.

• Critical Thinking

  Students will explore and develop unique perspectives in ways that are meaningful and relevant.

  Critical Thinking (CT) is based on Wesleyan's Mining Goal- Empirical Analysis & Interpretation.

  Critical thinking skills allow  students to be open and receptive  to all ideas and arguments, even  those with which they may disagree. Asking questions and  learning more about the world  around them enables students to  take action and make logical and  sound judgments. Moreover,  critical thinkers value the  diversity of thought and multitudinous perspectives. The  Office of Residential Life is in a  position to help students recognize a need for more  information or assistance and  discover new opportunities or  resources that allow them to make  informed decisions. 

• Effective Communication

  Students will actively listen and articulate themselves effectively.

  Effective Communication (EC) is based on Wesleyan's Expressing Goal- Writing and Communication.

  Effective communication can sharply improve relationships and promote student independence and self-authorship. With the ever-expanding channels of communication, students have a wide variety of choice when interacting with others, including navigating conflict. The Office of Residential Life strives to help students actively listen and articulate themselves effectively as they move through progressively independent housing.

• Residential Engagement

  Students will negotiate human and cultural differences as well as comprehend their accountability within sociocultural dynamics.

  Residential Engagement (RE) is based on Wesleyan's Engaging Goal- Negotiating Cultural Contexts.

  Students proficient in residential  engagement will demonstrate the  capacity and commitment to  participate constructively with  diverse others. As engaged and  active community members,  students will understand the sociohistorical context that has  created the current campus climate. Furthermore, students  will understand the impact one  has on community development,  and their roles and  responsibilities. From their relationships with peers,  engagement with staff, and respect for the physical space, residents have an obligation to  intentionally construct a  community rooted in personal  responsibility.