In Chapter 5 of Fink’s book, Creating Significant Learning Experiences, he analyzed 30 courses that had been described in journals or books, in terms of special design features that seemed to promote various kinds of significant learning.

His synopsis of the special features of those courses is provided here.

Note: Some of the categories in his analysis here are slightly different from the categories that he eventually used in his book.  But you will recognize the early versions fairly easily.

I have put these courses into four general categories, by subject matter:  Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Courses.

Natural Sciences – Mathematics – Engineering – Health Professions

1. Nursing: Cultural Differences in Childbearing
2. Medical School: use of Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
3. Geology:  Applied Hydrology
4. Civil & Environmental Engineering: Integrating Design & Construction
5. Biology: 3-Term Introductory Course for Non-Majors
6. Chemistry: Self-Designed, Team-Based Problem-Solving
7. Chemistry: Student-Led Discussions in the Senior Seminar

Social Sciences – Education – Business – Law

1. Business: Integrated Program for 1st Semester Majors
2. Psychology: Professional Ethics
3. Education:  Introductory Course for Prospective Teachers
4. Law: Biomedical Ethics and Law
5. Law: Tax Law
6. Law: Advanced Corporate Law
7. Law: Examining the Law Curriculum Through Feminist Lens

Humanities – Fine Arts – Architecture

1. English: Shakespeare
2. Dance & Aerobics
3. English: Intolerance in America
4. English as a 2nd Language: Writing and the Study of Films
5. Spanish: Role Playing Literature
6. English:  Creative Writing
7. English: Fiction Writing
8. English: Writing about Writing
9. Philosophy and Cultural Diversity
10. German: Discovering German Culture Through Song
11. Music: Writing About Music Theory
12. Art History: Myth, Religion, and Art

Interdisciplinary Courses

1. Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, & Chemistry: Integrated Course for Freshmen
2. Mechanical Engineering, English, Anthropology: Learning about Technology
3. Environmental Studies: Multiple Perspectives on Nature
4. Geology, Physics, & Chemistry: Our Microscopic University