TIES - About the Program

Experiential learning is an educational methodology that utilizes a hands-on, project-based instructional format to truly engage students in the topic at hand, whether it be exploring geology on a mountainside, examining political science with an internship in Congress, or learning history by developing a display with a museum curator.

Examples of experiential learning abound at UW-Eau Claire, including programs such as field experiences in geology, collaborative student/faculty research activities and study abroad. A central tenet of the Centennial Plan is to provide truly transformative experiences for our students. A truly transformative experience would be to participate in a rigorous, challenging, interdisciplinary, project-based program designed to examine a central theme from a variety of scientific, cultural, economic, historical and political perspectives. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is developing an innovative program in experiential learning known as:

Thematic Interdisciplinary Experiential Semester (TIES)

Thematic:

Each TIES semester would be developed around a central theme, such as the:

• Socioeconomic impact of Hurricane Katrina (New Orleans, LA)
• Global economic and environmental impact of an emergent China (Guangzhou, China)
• Social and political transformations in 21st century America (Washington, D.C)
• Cultural and environmental changes in South America (Mendoza, Argentina)

 

Potential locations are limited only by the interest and imagination of faculty and students at UW-Eau Claire.

Interdisciplinary:

Each TIES semester consists of:

• Four 3.5 week blocks, each worth 4 credits (16 total credit semester)
• Four participating faculty members from different departments across campus
• Interwoven approaches providing different perspectives on a common theme
• Project based, interlinked investigations
• Students live in group setting, with common areas, shared housing and meals
• TIES programs will be done at a variety of international (e.g. Argentina, China, Costa Rica) and domestic (e.g. New Orleans, Washington, D.C.)
  

Experiential:

• Project based, organized around central theme
• Integrated into local society
• Interwoven, multi- and interdisciplinary topics
• Writing intensive, with designated time for reflection and evaluation
• Intellectually rigorous, challenging and stimulating
• Diverse field settings in national and international locales