Learning Communities

Emerson's Learning Communities are an optional residential hall experience that offers students and staff the opportunity to participate in residential learning groups organized around common intellectual interests related to the College's mission, or specific areas of growth and development. All of our Learning Communities are coed and composed of first-year and upperclass students, except for the STAR Floor which is only open to incoming first-year students.

STAR Community

Students Taking Active Roles (first-year students only)The STAR community is designed for new students who wish to live in a smaller community comprised of fellow freshmen, while being a part of the larger Emerson campus. Living on a "freshman only" floor, you can develop lasting relationships with other students experiencing college for the first time. You can become familiar with important college resources (from peer tutoring to library services) and have increased contact with the Student Affairs staff. During the fall semester, you will take a one-credit non-tuition bearing course devoted to college transitions and held on the floor where you live. Special activities focus on community building, success in college, and involvement in the Boston and campus communities.

Wellness Community

Residents of this community learn about options that can benefit mind, body, and soul such as meditation, exercise, and nutrition. Programs provide a fun way to experiment with wellness concepts and ideas that may not be familiar to you, and to discover how healthy choices contribute to success and contentment in college and beyond. Students selecting this community commit to leading a lifestyle free of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs; work with a team of other students from the floor to provide fun activities or workshops on wellness issues for the floor; and attend regularly scheduled meetings/programs.

Film Immersion Community

Do you love film? Whether writing, producing, or post-production is your interest, this is a great way to begin to network with others interested in the craft. You do not need to be an expert—you just need to have a desire to be a part of the film making process. Community members will participate in film screenings, presentations by guest speakers, and workshops on current projects. Students who choose this learning community reside in the Film Immersion residential area (on a space available basis) and will work closely with the Writers' Block and Performing Culture communities.

Writers' Block

Although some see writing as a solitary art, members of the Writers' Block are a close community of new and experienced writers who strive for writing excellence in coursework, workshops, and community events. Writers can come together in an informal setting to share ideas about writing, to experience the vibrant literary landscape in Boston, and to practice their craft. The Writers' Block produces a yearly publication, The Writers' Block Literary Anthology (created entirely by students) and hosts writing-related events and fundraisers to showcase their talent. Students who choose this learning community reside in the Writers' Block residential area (on a space available basis) and participate in informal writing workshops in the residence hall.

Local Action Community

Local Action offers an open and welcoming space in which to build friendships, develop leadership skills, and deepen awareness of local and global issues. Through a variety of service activities and experiences, students in the Local Action Community explore the city of Boston, make positive changes in the community, and connect these experiences to their academic learning and to leadership development. Students will have the chance to participate in fieldwork, documentary exercises, and skills workshops, in addition to service activities throughout the year culminating in Emerson Action Week, an annual College-wide celebration of service and community.

Performing Cultures

The Performing Cultures Learning Community offers students an opportunity to explore the ways diverse cultures and communities express themselves through performance and performative representation in the company of others who share their interest. Community members examine the distinctions between and interactions among various modes of creative expression across a wide spectrum of cultural contexts, investigating ritual, dance, theatre, literary performance, political and religious ceremonies, and performance in everyday life with special attention to issues of cultural identity and difference.

Living Green Community

There are many environmental concerns in the world today from global warming to pollution. Some people are taking action, others want to take action but do not know how. Both types of people live in this community and learn from each other. Students learn about their impact on the environment through guest speakers, field trips, and discussions among other forums.  Students take action by making changes in their life and informing others about the issues. Students who choose this learning community reside in Living Green residential area (on a space available basis) located in Piano Row, a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified facility.

Digital Culture

The Digital Culture Community offers new perspectives on design and technology. It is a place to talk about and experiment with new technologies shaping our world, and it means more than merely spending hours on a computer. This Community offers students a unique perspective on the world, including artistic and cultural expression, the culture of the web, graphic design, visual arts, and writing. Students who choose this learning community reside in the Digital Culture residential area (on a space-available basis), where beginners, experts, and those in between share ideas and insights about our increasingly computer-mediated world and build a repertoire of technical and design skills.