Leading with Insight. Evolving Through Knowledge.
LEAD Knowledge and Methods courses expose you to a range of subjects and methodologies. They make sure that all St. Mary’s College students develop their skills of interpretation, expression, and evaluation– that is, they help you to be good critical thinkers and good communicators. They invite students to consider the many ways through which we come to know about the world– and the impact such knowledge has had on our past, and will have on our future.
Students can fulfill LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirements two ways: by completing LEAD Inquiry or a LEAD Exploration.
What Are Inquiries?
To these ends, LEAD Inquiries are specially-designed sets of courses that allow you to fulfill your LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirements for LEAD by exploring an idea, question, concept, or problem. While every SMCM student has to meet learning outcomes in the arts, cultural literacy, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences (with lab), and social and behavioral sciences, students in Inquiries use these requirements to experience the impact of multiple disciplinary perspectives on a central topic. Inquiry students also complete a 1-credit Integrated Learning Portfolio that illustrates how their course experiences have shaped their understanding of the Inquiry topic. Consequently, students in an Inquiry will fulfill their LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirements in 4-5 classes, whereas other students will need 6 classes to do so.
Asia In The World
Asia’s role in the global economy and geopolitics directly affects life in the U.S. Creating a sustainable future requires including Asian peoples and countries. Asia’s cultures, religions, and philosophies have long influenced the world, while contemporary popular culture continues this impact. This inquiry offers tools to explore the diverse histories, societies, and cultures of Asia and its diaspora.
Contact: Charles Musgrove
Climate
Students in the Climate Inquiry take courses that deepen their understanding of the environment and climate change, providing the tools for thinking and communicating about climate change from a range of perspectives. This is a great option for environmental studies majors, as the inquiry begins with ENST 100 - Introduction to Environmental Studies.
Contact: Cassie Gurbisz
Gender And Power (GAP)
GAP explores how gender and sexuality shape daily life and intersect with race, class, nationality, and more. Courses emphasize gender justice and connect academic learning with community and activism. Students can also pursue deeper study through the WGSX minor.
Contact: Betul Basaran
Global Studies
The Global Studies Inquiry helps students develop a dynamic understanding of our interconnected world and prepares them to engage with global issues, systems, and opportunities. Through interdisciplinary study, they explore international developments, cultural exchange, and global challenges.
Contact: Matthew Fehrs
Idea Of The West
In the Idea of the West, students focus on the emergence - and contemporary impact - of what we have come to call the “Western World.” From developments in science, technology, and literature to European colonial conquests - and later, empires - that reshaped the globe, understanding the West is one way to unpack the complexity of the world we live in now.
Contact: Garrey Dennie
Justice
This Inquiry explores the concept of justice as it relates to political systems and to protest. Students will have the opportunity to apply these ideas broadly or to focus more specifically on race in connection to justice - both philosophically, and in terms of the lived experiences through which we come to know injustice and how to respond to it.
Contact: George MacLeod
Latinx Studies
The Latinx population is the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the U.S. This inquiry explores its history, cultural impact, and political struggles through an interdisciplinary lens, drawing on the humanities, social sciences, and the work of Latinx artists, activists, and intellectuals.
Contact: Ximena Postigo
Public & Environmental Health
Public health is inherently multidisciplinary. Understanding individual and community health goes beyond science alone. In this inquiry, you'll explore how health and the environment connect to better understand global health outcomes.
Contact: Dr. Samantha Elliott and Dr. Bill Roberts
The Meaning Of Music
Music gives us joy. Sometimes it soothes our souls; other times it creates drama and excitement. But how? In the Meaning of Music, you’ll explore your own listening experience, by understanding music from aesthetic, social, cultural, and scientific perspectives.
Note: This Inquiry is not enrolling new students.
Contact: James Mantell
What Is Exploration?
This approach to LEAD Knowledge and Methods requires you to take six courses, one from each of the following areas: Arts, Cultural Literacy, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Integrated Learning Portfolio (ILP)
The final requirement for any Inquiry is the Integrated Learning Portfolio (ILP), where students reflect on how their courses connect and contribute to the Inquiry topic. Portfolios may include assignments or other meaningful materials from each class.
Created as a Google Site or similar platform, the ILP is submitted during the final semester. Students are registered by the Inquiry Lead, and the ILP earns one credit, graded Credit/No Credit.
Contact
All the faculty here at St. Mary's College of Maryland want to help you explore your interests and set you up for success. We look forward to connecting with you and meeting you on campus.
She/They
Associate Dean of Faculty | Professor of Political Science | Co-Director of the SMCM Washington Program
sshafqat@smcm.edu