December 17, 2012

In January, the University of Northern British Columbia will begin offering its first-ever block courses to third year, fourth year, and graduate-level students in the University’s Geography Program. This method of course delivery involves students focusing entirely on one course at a time in two and a half week “blocks” as opposed to a more typical five courses over 13 weeks. Block teaching is gaining popularity among North American post-secondary institutions for its capacity to help students with different learning styles and to go more in-depth into course material.

UNBC Geography Program Chair Neil Hanlon is excited by the many advantages that block delivery holds for engaging students. “When we talk about block teaching, we often focus on the fact that, in this 21st Century world with so many distractions and competing interests, the block delivery method offers students an opportunity to stay focused on one subject at a time,” says Dr. Hanlon.

Dr. Hanlon cites the opportunities block courses present for engaging with students and delving deeper into issues and concepts. “Rather than taking multiple courses at a time, we have three hours of class every day dedicated to one course only. Ideas and conversations remain fresh in everyone’s mind so that students learn in a much more in-depth manner.”

Dr. Hanlon also wants potential students to understand the opportunities that block teaching offers for community involvement. For example, block programming can involve students learning from service providers and decision makers in the community. Classes can be held off-campus, or by having students observe phenomena as they occur in public settings. Dr. Hanlon would also like to invite members of the community to participate in one or more block delivered Geography courses being offered in the winter semester. In January, community members with an interest in any of the courses on offer have the potential to register as “interest only” students. 

The courses involved with the block program include Critical Perspectives on International Development (Dr. Catherine Nolin), Health Geography (Dr. Hanlon), First Nations and Indigenous Geography (Dr. Sarah de Leeuw), and Geographies of Culture, Rights, and Power (Dr. Nolin). A limited number of spaces are still available in each course. Interested current and prospective students should contact Dr. Hanlon at the number below.

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Contact:

Dr. Neil Hanlon, Geography Program Chair, UNBC - 250.960.5881