<p>It’s seems very difficult to get any information about the Blount Initiative. People ask about it here on CC but rarely get a response from anyone. Do they have some sort of event for potential students where they can spend a day or two within the department to see what the courses/professors/students are like?</p>
<p>I only personally knew one student who was a Blount member and she graduated a few years ago. I do remember her speaking highly of the program and the residence house. She seemed to really enjoy the more informal style of interactive classes.
See below:</p>
<p>Description of the Blount Program</p>
<p>The program has several components:</p>
<ol>
<li>This is a four-year program which includes a freshman residential year in which students will reside and take special classes in what we call “a living - learning environment.”</li>
<li>Two Academic Houses, Oliver-Barnard and Tuomey Halls, which are located on the Quadrangle and physically in the center of the University, will serve as the focal point for the sophomore, junior, and senior years.</li>
<li>Students in the Initiative major in the same subject areas as all University students. However, they have a special curriculum that includes seminars, discussion groups, special presentations, and activities that will engage them in an integrated approach to learning.</li>
<li>The essence of the program is the establishment of an active learning partnership between teacher and student.
A key aspect of this program is living in a community of scholars. Freshmen entering the program will live and take Initiative Seminars in the Blount Living-Learing Center. Sophomores and upperclass Initiative students may choose to live off campus or in residence halls but their academic “home” on campus will be the Blount Academic Houses, Oliver-Barnard and Toumey Halls, on the main Quadrangle.</li>
</ol>
<p>The Blount Living-Learning Center combines residential and learning facilities and is the heart of the Blount Initiative freshmen experience. Twelve Blount Fellows appointed from the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences teach the foundation course and spend extended periods of time in the Living-Learning Center working and talking with students. Several graduate students are named as Junior Fellows each year and assist in teaching the foundation course. Perhaps more importantly, they live in the Living-Learning Center, serving as mentors and role models for the entering students.</p>
<p>You have probably seen this: [Faculty</a> and Staff](<a href=“http://www.as.ua.edu/blount/people.html]Faculty”>http://www.as.ua.edu/blount/people.html)</p>
<p>There is some contact info there.</p>
<p>Hopefully you can get your questions answered.</p>