{"id":1636,"date":"2025-07-07T15:21:46","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T15:21:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/?page_id=1636"},"modified":"2025-10-27T16:15:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T16:15:32","slug":"lead-knowledge-methods","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/lead\/lead-knowledge-methods\/","title":{"rendered":"Lead Knowledge &#038; Methods"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-1636\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-1636-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1636-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-0-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"widget_text smcm-intro-section panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1636-0-0-0\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><h2>Leading with Insight. Evolving Through Knowledge.<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1636-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>LEAD Knowledge and Methods courses expose you to a range of subjects and methodologies. They make sure that all St. Mary\u2019s College students develop their skills of interpretation, expression, and evaluation&#8211; 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&#8211; and the impact such knowledge has had on our past, and will have on our future.<\/p>\n<p>Students can fulfill LEAD Knowledge and Methods requirements two ways: by completing <strong>LEAD Inquiry<\/strong>\u00a0or a <strong>LEAD Exploration<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1636-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-c67d20f9f743-1636\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/06\/54539283602_e255a5812e_c-e1751902351342.jpg\" width=\"533\" height=\"508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/06\/54539283602_e255a5812e_c-e1751902351342.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/06\/54539283602_e255a5812e_c-e1751902351342-300x286.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" title=\"Students in a Classroom\" alt=\"A group of students sit at desks with laptops in a classroom, engaging in conversation and taking notes.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1636-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div id=\"what-are-inquires\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-1636-1\" ><div id=\"pgc-1636-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-gold-buttons panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons-default-d75171398898-1636\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><nav class=\"smcm-gold-buttons\"><ul><li><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#what-are-inquires\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\">What are Inquiries?<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#what-is-exploration\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\">What Is Exploration?<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1636-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1636-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-c67d20f9f743-1636\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/smcm-lab2.jpg\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/smcm-lab2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/smcm-lab2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/smcm-lab2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/smcm-lab2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/smcm-lab2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/smcm-lab2-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"Three people work together in a laboratory, surrounded by scientific equipment and optical devices on a table.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1636-2-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-2-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">What Are <strong>Inquiries<\/strong>?<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1636-2-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><div id=\"pg-1093-2\" class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\">\n<div id=\"pgc-1093-2-0\" class=\"panel-grid-cell\">\n<div id=\"panel-1093-2-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"textwidget\">\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1636-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1636-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-card-container panel-first-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-card-container so-widget-smcm-card-container-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-card-container\"><div class=\"card highlightcard navy \"><h3 class=\"topText\">Asia In The World<\/h3><div class=\"supportingText\"><p>Asia\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p><em>Faculty Lead: <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/charles-d-musgrove\">Charles Musgrove<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=5&amp;poid=364&amp;returnto=185#core_4244\">View Asia In The World Inquiry \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VpZQfSDEpHbZJDpsKJrWK7m7mQEflWcKraczXgw9v6U\/edit#heading=h.533upq9axc1f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Asia In The World Checklist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"card highlightcard navy \"><h3 class=\"topText\">Climate<\/h3><div class=\"supportingText\"><p>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.<br \/>\n<em>Faculty Lead: <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/cassie-gurbisz\">Cassie Gurbisz<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=5&amp;poid=364&amp;returnto=185#core_3693\">View Climate Inquiry\u00a0\u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1lhAaCdrwoEN2TlGsiOUBaLj8Tz7frT74X01gfv60BF8\/edit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate Checklist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1636-3-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-card-container\" data-index=\"8\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-card-container so-widget-smcm-card-container-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-card-container\"><div class=\"card highlightcard navy \"><h3 class=\"topText\">Gender And Power (GAP)<\/h3><div class=\"supportingText\"><p>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.<br \/>\n<em>Faculty Lead: <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/jessye-mcdowell\">Dr. Jessye McDowell<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=5&amp;poid=364&amp;returnto=185#core_3713\">View Gender and Power Inquiry \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1Hdhk8hMf6Dq0nUAoR1oeBG_spksybZ25T6jDF3FqX8c\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GAP Checklist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"card highlightcard navy \"><h3 class=\"topText\">Global Studies<\/h3><div class=\"supportingText\"><p>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.<br \/>\n<em>Faculty Lead: <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/matthew-fehrs\">Matthew Fehrs<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=5&amp;poid=364&amp;returnto=185#core_4237\">View Global Studies Inquiry \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1uYfzKktwLwCbEZ_6TS4lTGL6arHBjpopjzyZhAIiP3w\/edit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Global Studies Checklist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1636-3-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-card-container\" data-index=\"9\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-card-container so-widget-smcm-card-container-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-card-container\"><div class=\"card highlightcard navy \"><h3 class=\"topText\">Idea Of The West<\/h3><div class=\"supportingText\"><p>In the Idea of the West, students focus on the emergence - and contemporary impact - of what we have come to call the \u201cWestern World.\u201d 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.<br \/>\n<em>Faculty Lead: <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/liza-gijanto\">Dr. Liza Gijanto<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=5&amp;poid=364&amp;returnto=185#core_3700\">View Idea of the West Inquiry \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1AztXUwWyGYwo3J3Trv5y9_REO81qZy_XQ-1IcgTDt9w\/edit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Idea of the West Checklist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"card highlightcard navy \"><h3 class=\"topText\">Justice<\/h3><div class=\"supportingText\"><p>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.<\/p>\n<p><em>Faculty Lead:<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/george-macleod\">George MacLeod<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=5&amp;poid=364&amp;returnto=185#core_3686\">View Justice Inquiry \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1VaEMxxnNagn6ke6Qc5TkSZUWp6krwY9Fery10vNtEUw\/edit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Justice Checklist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1636-3-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-card-container\" data-index=\"10\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-card-container so-widget-smcm-card-container-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-card-container\"><div class=\"card highlightcard navy \"><h3 class=\"topText\">Latinx Studies<\/h3><div class=\"supportingText\"><p>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.<br \/>\n<em>Faculty Lead: <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/diego-villada\">Dr. Diego Villada<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=5&amp;poid=364&amp;returnto=185#core_3719\">View Latinx Studies Inquiry \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/13ROBWWpUQ1dVPakhiejUGF4ca9zFQx70\/edit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Latinx Studies Checklist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"card highlightcard navy \"><h3 class=\"topText\">Public &amp; Environmental Health<\/h3><div class=\"supportingText\"><p>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.<br \/>\n<em>Faculty Lead: <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/bill-roberts\">Dr. Bill Roberts<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=5&amp;poid=364&amp;returnto=185#core_3706\">View Public &amp; Environmental <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=5&amp;poid=364&amp;returnto=185#core_3706\">Health Inquiry \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1ct93nmNxqxOjiOs1YrpISg4bcU549MV-H92b1tqXzXA\/edit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Public &amp; Environmental Health Checklist<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1636-3-0-4\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-card-container panel-last-child\" data-index=\"11\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-card-container so-widget-smcm-card-container-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-card-container\"><div class=\"card highlightcard navy \"><h3 class=\"topText\">The Meaning Of Music<\/h3><div class=\"supportingText\"><p>Music gives us joy.\u00a0 Sometimes it soothes our souls; other times it creates drama and excitement.\u00a0 But how?\u00a0 In the Meaning of Music, you\u2019ll explore your own listening experience, by understanding music from aesthetic, social, cultural, and scientific perspectives.<br \/>\n<strong>Note: This Inquiry is not enrolling new students.<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Faculty Lead: <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/james-mantell\">James Mantell<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #f3c10d; text-align: center; font-size: 1.8em; font-weight: 600;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1FEFllQGDe29StoKBnrUg4EKjangayTGWPxeIXkzsgQU\/edit?usp=sharing\">View The Meaning Of Music Checklist \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1636-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div id=\"what-is-exploration\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-1636-4\" ><div id=\"pgc-1636-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"12\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">What Is <strong>Exploration<\/strong>?<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1636-4-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text\" data-index=\"13\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"panel-1636-4-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"14\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/catalog.smcm.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=4&amp;poid=186#foundationalstudy\">Course Catalog<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1636-4-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-4-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"15\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-c67d20f9f743-1636\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/SMCM-LEAD-capstone-montgomery-hall-study.jpg\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/SMCM-LEAD-capstone-montgomery-hall-study.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/SMCM-LEAD-capstone-montgomery-hall-study-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/SMCM-LEAD-capstone-montgomery-hall-study-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/SMCM-LEAD-capstone-montgomery-hall-study-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/30\/2025\/07\/SMCM-LEAD-capstone-montgomery-hall-study-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"Person wearing headphones sits at a table with a laptop, drink, and backpack, in front of a brick wall with framed photos.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1636-5\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1636-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-5-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"16\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div class=\"smcm-feed-horizontal-container\"><div class=\"smcm-feed-horizontal-row smcm-story\"style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/stories\/path-toward-environmental-stewardship-emma-sheppard-26\"><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/screenshot_2025-08-19_at_10.11.14_am_1.png\" alt=\"\"><\/div><h3>A Path Toward Environmental Stewardship With Emma Sheppard \u201926 &raquo;<\/h3><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1636-5-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-5-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"17\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\">Integrated Learning Portfolio (ILP)<\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1636-5-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_text panel-last-child\" data-index=\"18\" >\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1636-6\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1636-6-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1636-6-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"19\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div class=\"smcm-feed-dh-wrapper\"><div class=\"smcm-feed-dh-container\"><h2>Contact<\/h2><p class=\"smcm-dh-info\">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.<\/p><div class=\"smcm-feed-dh-items\"><div class=\"smcm-feed-dh-row\"><div>  <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2019-06\/Sahar-Shafqat.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"531\" alt=\"Sahar Shafqat\" class=\"restdept1740\" \/>\n\n<\/div><div class=\"smcm-dh-label-container\"><a class=\"smcm-dh-name\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.smcm.edu\/directory\/sahar-shafqat\">Sahar Shafqat<\/a><p>She\/They<\/p><p>Associate Dean of Faculty | Professor of Political Science | Co-Director of the SMCM Washington Program<\/p><a class=\"smcm-dh-email\" href=\"mailto:sshafqat@smcm.edu\">sshafqat@smcm.edu<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LEAD Knowledge and Methods courses expose you to a range of subjects and methodologies. They make sure that all St. Mary\u2019s College students develop their skills of interpretation, expression, and evaluation&#8211; that is, they help you to be good critical thinkers and good communicators. They invite students to consider the many ways through which we<a class=\"tribe-events-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/lead\/lead-knowledge-methods\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" > Find out more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":258,"featured_media":0,"parent":779,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-1636","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"entry"},"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1636","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/258"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1636"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1636\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1978,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1636\/revisions\/1978"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}