First-Year Seminars

Limited to just 12 students, first-year seminars are designed to help students develop the learning skills that will support them throughout their college experience, while introducing them to a particular field of study. First-year seminars are only open to first-year students.

Over the course of the semester, students in first-year seminars develop skills such as analytical thinking, critical reading, construction and presentation of sound academic arguments, academic writing, information literacy and how to get the most out of the library, independent research, and facility working collaboratively with peers.

The seminars are offered across the curriculum and many count as the prerequisite to further work in the department in which they are offered. All students are encouraged to take a first-year seminar during the fall or spring of their first year.