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MATC Class
and Social Sciences Instructor Featured in Time Magazine
Madison, WI . . . . Madison
Area Technical College (MATC) has made Time magazine’s Nov.
24, 2003, issue in an article focusing on a unique class taught by social
sciences instructor Marline Pearson. The article, Relationships 101 in
the magazine’s Society section, was researched by Time staff
reporter, Rebecca Winters. Winters visited Madison for two days in February
to interview Pearson and her students and observe her class, Couple Relationships.
Pearson first
began teaching the class five years ago. It has become so popular that
the class often has waiting lists, which mirrors a national trend among
college and high school students seeking to learn practical life skills
in the classroom about the dynamics of romantic relationships.
The innovative
work Pearson is doing in relationship education came to the attention
of Winters as she talked with experts in the field. After a phone interview
with Pearson, Winters gained approval from her editors to travel to Madison
to learn more in person.
Originally scheduled
as a spring cover story, the scope of the coverage changed and its publication
delayed as the war in Iraq and other news landed the magazine’s front
cover. During extensive research completed for the article, Winters also
spoke to Jackye Thomas, counseling services director at MATC, who stressed
the significant impact romantic relationships can have on students’
academic success, or lack of it, as well as choices that affect the rest
of their lives.
Pearson now is
teaching classes in Criminology and Marriage and Family at MATC’s
Downtown Education Center and Truax locations in Madison. During the spring
semester, she again will teach Couple Relationships and expects a full
class. Pearson, who is a member of MATC’s Social Sciences department
in its Liberal Arts and Sciences division, holds a master’s degree
in social history. She and her students have been featured in the PBS
documentary and companion book, “Marriage: Just a Piece of Paper?”
She was the keynote speaker at the annual SMARTMARRIAGES conference this
year and has conducted workshops for counselors and teachers in Wisconsin’s
public schools and technical colleges, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections
and community based organizations who work with youth.
MATC is one of
the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges.
It provides a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and
science, adult basic education and life enrichment studies and activities,
as well as customized employee training.
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Last
Modified:
November 21, 2003
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