Collaborative Inquiry Overview

Collaborative Inquiry is an opportunity for students to both integrate and reflect upon what they have learned during their time at SLU. Working together in teams, students will share their acquired knowledge and experiences to explore and develop a solution to their question.  The role of faculty is to provide the question and to help facilitate the creation of an answer rather than directing students in a prescribed disciplinary approach to an expected solution. Although all Collaborative Inquiry courses will ask different complex questions, all will share essential elements that facilitate student achievement of the Core learning outcomes associate with this Core component area.

There are many different types of courses that work well for Collaborative Inquiry. Some classes will focus on addressing society or policy issues while others may provide opportunities for students to partner with community organizations to help address their needs. Still others may ask students to address theoretical or existential questions. Collaborative Inquiry courses can be developed by reimagining a current course or by designing a new course from scratch. 

While Collaborative Inquiry courses may be team taught, that is not a requirement or expectation, and individual faculty are encouraged to submit their courses. Collaborative Inquiry courses may be combined with several other elements of the Core, including Core attributes and required experiences.