Community Classroom is an intercultural, off-campus program offering a variety of foundational exploration courses taught by PLNU faculty. Classes meet in the multicultural neighborhood of City Heights, a short drive from the main campus. There are flexible options to fit your schedule and major.
Typical courses offered include Christian Formation & Ministry, Christian Tradition, Christian Life as a Vocation, Elementary Spanish, Ethics, Life of Holiness, Global Christianity, Literature and Culture: Nature Writing, and Race & Ethnicity.
Community Classroom offers two opportunities: Classroom in Context (live on campus and commute to City Heights weekly for class) and a Certificate in Intercultural Engagement.
‘Community Classroom is a chance to learn more about the community and truly widen your education! Without classes like Race & Ethnicity, I do not think I would be who I am today. By connecting with peers, professors, and the material in a new setting is what makes Community Classroom so transformational’
Brooke, Class of 2018
‘Taking a course in City Heights allowed me to engage with the community in different ways than a regular course would’
Cesia, Class of 2018
Classroom in Context
The Classroom in Context program is designed for students who want to take one or more courses in a multicultural context while continuing to live on campus or commute. By traveling locally, you can experience the world while integrating academics, faith, and hands-on learning. Every class incorporates service learning, neighborhood exploration, monthly dinners, and a common book in the syllabus requirements. We encourage students to truly engage in City Heights and learn from the people of the neighborhood.
Courses offered for the 2022 Spring semester:
- Literature & Culture - Nature Writing (LIT 2000 section 1) - Mondays 2 to 3:55 p.m. - Professor Breeann Kirby
- Global Christianity (THE 3070 section 1) - Mondays 3 - 5:45 p.m. - Professor Melissa Tucker & Professor Jennifer Guerra
- Elementary Spanish (SPA 1002 section 10) - Mondays/Thursdays 3:15 - 5:05 p.m. - Professor Jacque Mitchell
- Race & Ethnicity (SOC 3060 section 2) - Mondays 3 - 5:45 p.m. - Professor Kevin Modesto
- Global Christianity (THE 3070 section 2) - Tuesdays 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Professor Mark Mann
- Christian Life as Vocation (THE 3060 section 1) - Thursdays 2:30 - 5:30 pm - Professor Mark Mann
Below is a list of the courses offered for the 2022 Fall semester:
- Literature & Culture - Nature Writing (LIT 2000 section 4) - Mondays 1 to 2:55pm - Karen Seehaus
- Christian Life as Vocation (THE 3060 section 2) - Mondays 3 - 5:45 pm - Melissa Tucker & Jennifer Guerra
- Elementary Spanish I (SPA 1001 section 11) - Mondays/Thursdays 3:15 - 5:05 pm - Jacque Mitchell
- Race & Ethnicity (SOC 3060 section 2) - Mondays 3 - 5:45 pm - Kevin Modesto
- Civic Engagement: Conversation, Culture, and Community (SPA 3000 section 1) - Mondays/Thursdays 3:15 - 4:30 pm - Paula Cronovich
- Global Christianity (THE 3070 section 1) - Tuesdays 2:45 - 5:30 pm - Mark Mann
- Ethics (PHL 2011 section 2) - Thursdays 2:45 - 5:30 pm - Eric Morelli
Community Classroom courses are noted in course listings with CITY, and you may register during your regular registration time each semester.
Certificate in Intercultural Engagement
The Certificate in Intercultural Engagement is designed for students who want part of their academic experience to include a focused engagement in a multicultural setting that will nurture their Christian formation academically and vocationally.
The Community Classroom program is also part of the Intercultural Pathway PLNU program.
For more information go to pointloma.edu/undergraduate/programs/intercultural-pathways
Students opting to take individual courses must complete the following to receive the certificate:
1. Six units from the following Community Classroom courses when offered in City Heights, with a minimum of 3 units unique to the certificate (i.e., cannot count as a major or foundational exploration course):
- CHU3095 – The Christian Tradition (3)
- CMI1055 – Christian Formation & Ministry (3)
- CMI3050 – Church as a Witness to the World (3)
- CMI4020 – Compassionate Ministry in Local Context (3)
- PHL2011 – Ethics (3)
- SOC3060 – Race & Ethnicity (3)
- SPA1001 – Elementary Spanish I (4)
- SPA1002 – Elementary Spanish II (4)
- THE3006 – Life of Holiness (3)
- THE3060 – Christian Life as Vocation (3)
- THE3070 – Global Christianity (3)
- LIT2000 – Literature and Culture: Nature Writing (2)
2. Ten hours of co-curricular service learning are built into each Community Classroom course. A total of 20 hours are required for the certificate.
For questions related to the Community Classroom program, please email communityclassroom@pointloma.edu.