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This page describes how to enroll in the course, ARS110 Explorations in Creative and Research Activities. If you haven't visited the course web site, please click on the HOME link above to learn more about the course.
To enroll in ARS110, you must be a first-year student at USM (either a freshman or transfer student). Also, you should be ready for college writing and math classes (click here to learn more). Also, you will need to get permission to enroll from one of the instructors (our contact information is below) or when you meet with your advisor during Summer Orientation. BUT, space is limited and ARS110 is only taught during Fall Semester, so we encourage you to contact us now. We'd also like to hear from you so we can prepare for the range of topics students will be pursuing.
When and where will the class meet?
Most courses at USM are three-credits, but our new course is a one-credit class. We will meet every other week on Tuesday, 2:45 - 4:00 PM, on the Portland campus. We’ll be mindful the class is one-credit and won’t overload you with homework assignments. But we also think the work will fit well into your schedule because the topic will be yours. You won’t need motivation from us to put energy into pursuing your interest as you explore your new school.
Contact information for the ARS110 organizers:
Adele Baruch-Runyon abaruch@usm.maine.edu Asst. Prof., Human Resource Development
David Champlin champlin@usm.maine.edu Assoc. Prof., Biological Sciences
Helen Gorgas Goulding gorgas@usm.maine.edu Office of Student Life
Here are two examples of why a student should take ARS110, but there are a million other possibilities. Whether your topic is common or very unusual, we'll be very interested to hear from you!
ONE EXAMPLE:
A new USM student has been interested in wetland protection for several years, and may be interested in the ARS110 course to learn about developing a project that supports wetlands conservation efforts near Portland. This student may have been involved in local wetland studies near his or her hometown.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE:
A student may enjoy writing poetry and may have developed an interest in 20th century South American poetry. Maybe they want to develop a project focused on several key thematic elements of a particular poet. His or her current involvement may revolve around reading translations of several South American poets.
What might happen to the two examples above once those students are at USM?
What about our first example above, the student interested in wetlands conservation? Surprisingly, urban trail systems are a very active resource for planning environmental conservation. In the Portland area, Portland Trails is an incredibly successful organization that is connected to many other groups locally and nationally. Just within this topic, there are many stories, people, and opportunities in the Portland area to discover. The ARS110 course can help build awareness, strategies, and confidence for making these connections. On campus, our student would likely connect with USM’s program in environmental science and policy, which also provides a wide variety of connections to local, regional, and national opportunities.
What about our second example, the poet who is also interested in South American writers? USM has several excellent graduate programs, which students can profit from even though they are undergraduates and aren’t taking any graduate courses. For example, USM is the home of the famous Stonecoast MFA graduate program http://usm.maine.edu/stonecoastmfa/. Students can rub shoulders with faculty and Stonecoast participants through a variety of opportunities. Maybe that sounds intimidating and the ARS110 course can help build the confidence to reach out and discover. At USM, our student might also look into the possibility of studying abroad and investigate USM’s international study program. ARS110 can help connect our student with the USM, faculty, staff, and advanced students who are experienced experts in these topics.
These are just beginning examples. We'll discover the details together! We encourage you to think about your own, unique interests and passions because in our experience that’s the best way to get excited about college.
If you have problems with this page, please contact: David Champlin.
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