Essential Characteristics
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) employs peer mentors and high impact practices to spark beginning students’ creativity and intellectual curiosity. FYS courses assist students in making a plan for college success by facilitating active involvement in and out of class, utilization of campus resources, social interaction and collaboration, and self-reflection.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Such a course should enable students to:
- Explain how this course fits into the bigger picture of General Education and major fields of inquiry (sciences, social sciences, humanities and professions);
- Show how their personal beliefs and preconceptions influence their learning experiences.
- Demonstrate critical-thinking and decision-making skills;
- Name the ways they have gotten involved in campus life;
- Reflect on their growth as learners to show how their academic skills and knowledge can be transferred to new contexts; and
- Make a successful transition from high school to college.