The Office of Undergraduate Experiences at UC Denver offers an optional program of first-year seminars (FYS) designed to assist students to successfully make the transition from high school to college, improve student retention and boost new student confidence. The FYS courses integrate rigorous academic content with academic skills such as library usage, campus resources, information literacy, time management, communication skills and career counseling.

Class size is capped at 24 students to facilitate interaction between student and instructor and to allow the instructor to serve as a mentor in the student’s first semester of college.  FYS classes engage students in active learning beyond the traditional classroom, laboratory or studio classes.  In the FYS courses, students learn about themselves and their abilities. The experiences obtained from the FYS program aim to promote academic exploration and interdisciplinary learning, civic engagement, cultural awareness, leadership, problem solving and other professional skills.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

• higher first semester grades
• higher student satisfaction facilitated by small class size and a faculty mentor
• better utilization of campus resources paid for through student fees
• early exploration of career paths and a suitable major
• more likely to stay in college

Students are encouraged to use the FYS course to explore areas either within or outside their major. Students should work with their academic advisor during orientation to select an appropriate FYS course. All of the courses are 3 semester hours and count in the required core curriculum. Requirements vary slightly, but  students should expect weekly writing and readings, participation in events outside the classroom including one service-learning activity, and a final project.

Fall 2009 First Year Seminar Course Descriptions:

ARTS 1111-001           
FYS: Sources of Creativity
(Core: Arts)   
Carol Bloom   

This course will explore the nature of creative inspiration, its potential and implementation. Through individual and collaborative projects, students will investigate the interdisciplinary composition and development of the literary, visual and performing arts and their aesthetic, social and political impact.

BIOL 1111-001           
FYS: Global Health Crisis               
(Core: Biological and Phys Science)
Kim Regier
Come explore the interaction of our environment and our health. Topics include: water and air pollution, toxins, pests and pesticides, food quality and radiation. We will discuss current events such as the obesity epidemic, recent outbreaks of infectious disease, methamphetamine labs and global warming.

CHEM 1111-001        
FYS: Environmental Science: Is There Science Behind the Headlines?       
(Core: Biological and Phys Science)
John Lanning                    
This is an introductory seminar into the multidisciplinary area of environmental science.  Basic principles of chemistry and ecology will be used to examine air pollution, water pollution and hazardous waste issues that impact the environment on a local or global scale.  Prior knowledge of chemistry is not required.

C J  1111-001         
FYS: Law & Order: Anatomy of the Criminal Justice System         
(Core: Social Science)
Mary Dodge
This course explores contemporary issues and controversies in cases within the criminal and juvenile justice systems.  Topical issues cover various forms of crime—for example, environmental hazards, murder and sexual assault.  The materials examine the relationships among crime statistics,  theory, law and sensationalism in the media.

CMMU 1111-001       
FYS: Communication and Adaptation           
(Core: Behavioral Science)
Ian Dawe                   
This course will examine the role of communication during seasons of adaptation to new environments.  Specifically, the course will address challenges faced by students as they transition from high school to higher education contexts and offer communication strategies that can be implemented during this process.  Additionally, the course will address cycles of change in early adulthood, both in personal and professional contexts.

ENGL 1111-001               
FYS: Rereading America           
(Core: Humanities)
Paul DeMarte                    
The first-year seminar thrives on the interaction of students with each other and the instructor; therefore, your contributions to the class are vitally important. I have selected evaluable, current and sometimes controversial materials for discussion, but I appreciate class suggestions about what to read, write and do in the college community. We’ll have weekly reading and writing experiences, all of which will be evaluated. Guest lectures and visits, in and out-of-class activities and videos are also part of this course.

ETST 1111-001               
FYS: Racial Minorities in the US            
(Core: Social Science)
Khushnur Dadabhoy                    
A survey of the historical and the contemporary experiences of American Indians, Asians, African-Americans and Hispanics in the United States from 1958 to the present. This course will examine the origins and development of racial and ethnic identities in the Americas with specific attention to Colorado history.

F A  1111-001               
FYS: Appreciating Art: It’s Form and Content   
(Core: Arts)
Vivian George
This course will take students through an understanding of art with an introduction to art’s basic elements; learning the vocabulary to look at, appreciate and better understand the visual arts.  What is visual perception?  Students will learn to be informed critics of contemporary and historical examples of art.  What is art?  We will look at all visual media including, painting, sculpture, photography, film, architecture and design.

GEOG 1111-001                   
FYS: Climate Change           
(Core: Biological and Physical Science)
Fred Chambers               
This introductory seminar will give you a broad overview of the current state of our changing climate.  Topics will include climate changes through geologic time, the mechanism of climate change, scales of climate change (e.g. global, regional and local levels), global warming and past and future ice ages.  No prior knowledge of geology, weather and/or climate needed.

MGMT 1111-001           
FYS: Current Topics In Business       
(Core: Behavioral Science)
MaryLee Stansifer                 
This course examines a variety of issues relevant to business in Denver and the world.  Discussion will focus on topics such as Denver companies, ethical issues in business, business career exploration, marketing everywhere, globalization and other current topics.

MGMT 1111-002           
FYS: Introduction to Business       
(Core: Behavioral Science)
Barry McConnell                 
This course examines the issues confronting business from a management, marketing, finance and global economic perspective. Entrepreneurship and other career opportunities in business are covered. The course is designed especially for nonbusiness majors and students just wanting to sort out the possibilities that a career in business might offer.

MGMT 1111-003           
FYS: Leadership, Business and You   
(Core: Behavioral Science)
Ken Bettenhausen    
This course examines the role of leadership in business and society. Through individual and group activities, guest speakers and field trips, students will better understand the need for and the limits of leadership and gain a better appreciation for their own leadership strengths and potential.

PHYS 1111-001                
FYS: How Things Work           
(Core: Biological and Physical Science)
Randy Tagg                    
Everyday objects, including technical gadgets used in home, office, entertainment, factory, etc., are full of examples of the application of physics, but haven’t you always wanted to know how they work? This course will show how physics concepts like mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism and optics play a vital role in how the objects that we use everyday work.  You’ll also have the opportunity to take things apart and design new products using the concepts of physics.

T ED 1111-001                    
FYS: TEACH—Imagine the Possibilities!   
(Core: Humanities)
Deidre Magee                   
What is possible with a career in teaching?  Education offers so many possibilities for future teachers and concerned citizens.  In this seminar you will explore the world of education through interactive, field-based experiences in collaboration with your peers, teacher education faculty and leaders in today’s urban schools.  You will also have an opportunity to visit UC Denver’s award-winning K-12 partner schools and network with current teacher candidates in the program.

T ED 1111-002                   
FYS:  Learning for the 21st Century   
(Core: Humanities)
Carole Basile
This first-year seminar will focus on learning for the 21st century. We’ll examine the types of learning people need to be successful today’s world as well as how and where they acquire these skills.  We’ll visit formal and informal educational settings to see how students learn in those settings and we’ll meet with people from different sectors (i.e. government, industry, education, nonprofits) to hear their perspectives on what they believe are important learning goals for all students.