UNCP 5511 Capstone: The Balancing Act
Capstone classes may NOT be taken Pass/Fail. Seniors only. You may take only ONE Capstone class before graduation. College students have many competing demands. Academics, friends, student orgs, physical and emotional wellness, family, faith, service, and work all need attention. In The Balancing Act, we cover all these life components through a dynamic mix of articles, books, podcasts, and videos targeted to graduating seniors. Class sessions include small group discussions, white-boarding activities, case studies, role playing, and student presentations. In this small discussion-based course, students are exposed to thought leaders and reflect on how they can apply this research to enhance their lives. By sharing our experiences, we build a tight community and learn from each other. The course is divided into five modules each covering a major life domain. Students reflect on their past, assess their current state, and then develop strategies to optimize each life domain. The class skews practical, with Take Action Challenges related to personal finance, gratitude, cooking, fitness, and social media management. Throughout the semester students construct a balance plan to ensure their activities align with their values and goalsultimately providing them with a roadmap to a productive, meaningful, and balanced life.
Course overview
- Department
- Capstone
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.85 / 5 · Excellent
- Instructor rating
- 4.89 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 10
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Scott Olivieri | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 15 of 16 |
| Fall 2025 | Scott Olivieri | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 12 of 16 |
| Spring 2025 | Scott Olivieri | 4.6 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 16 of 16 |
| Fall 2024 | Scott Olivieri | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 15 of 16 |
| Spring 2024 | Scott Olivieri | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4–6 hrs/week | 14 of 16 |
| Fall 2023 | Scott Olivieri | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 12 of 14 |
| Spring 2023 | Scott Olivieri | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 17 of 17 |
| Fall 2022 | Scott Olivieri | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 14 of 15 |
| Spring 2022 | Scott Olivieri | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 10 of 15 |
| Fall 2021 | Scott Olivieri | 4.9 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4–6 hrs/week | 13 of 15 |