First Year Seminar
This one-credit theme based seminar is part of UNH Manchester’s commitment to the success of its first year students. Unlike all other courses in the college curriculum, the focus of this course is not on a specific academic subject or field of study. Instead, the focus is on the development of critical skills and strategies necessary to become confident, capable college students and contributing community members.
The course integrates personal growth, academic and career success with problem solving, critical, and creative thinking.
Critical Skills
- Setting goals and achieving success in college
- Studying in college
- Knowing campus policies and regulations
- Learning how to balance freedom with responsibility
- Examining personal ideas and decisions regarding relationships, wellness, safety, diversity (advance critical thinking/ self-awareness)
- Clarifying values, priorities, and interests
- Establishing effective and appropriate communication skills and patterns of in-class behavior
- Understanding the culture and expectations of college life, specifically at UNH Manchester
- Becoming comfortable with small group discussions and presentations
- Being familiar with campus resources and knowing when to use them
- Understanding how to comfortably interact with faculty members, instructors, and advisors
- Developing healthy and respectful relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Managing time, stress, finances, and relationships in college
Who takes this class?
- Students entering college for the first time
- Students enrolled in ENGL 301 & 401
- First semester college students not enrolled in ENGL 401
- Students enrolled in the College Transitions Program enroll in the seminar in the spring semester.
Fall 2011 Themes
Business
Christopher Hegg
Mon 3:00 -4:15
This seminar is designed to introduce new college students to college life while simultaneously exploring the business world. College transitional topics such as time-management and study skills will be intertwined with business topics including leadership, social media, marketing, technology and social responsibility. The class will explore business curriculum at the University and explore careers in the business field. First-year students, who are business majors, are considering business as a major/minor or have an interest in business will benefit largely from this course. Visiting Professor: Bill Troy
Exploring Diversity
Ginger Borase & Sharon Eaton
Tues. 3:00 – 4:15
In this discussion based Seminar we will use readings, film and music to increase awareness of one’s own cultural biases and understand the role of prejudices, stereotypes, discrimination and privilege on diverse cultural groups. Students will be encouraged to think critically about their impact in today’s world by examining how their personal perspectives and attitudes shape their view of culture and society. Visiting Professor: TBA
Self-Discovery
Marisa Forti
Wed. 11:00 – 1:00 (8wk)
"The greatest discoveries are those that shed light unto ourselves." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
College is the perfect time to explore who you are and what you want to do with your life. This class will focus on the process of exploration through use of inventories, group activities and reflection. You’ll have opportunities to reflect upon who you are as a person, gain knowledge that will assist you as you transition to college, research which majors might complement your interests and skills, and investigate which career paths you might take.
Urban Wildlife
Christine Andrews
Thurs 11:00 – 12:15
There are many species of wildlife that survive in urban environments. In this class we will look at how urban wildlife has been successful, and how we as a society have responded. Readings, library research, film, journals, and class discussions will be used to look at the biological, environmental and ethical aspects of this topic. Through this exploration we will focus on what science minded thinking is, the role of science in our lives, and most importantly practice the skills necessary to be a successful student in the science discipline. This course is designed specifically for those students in the Biology major and enrolled in BIOL 413. Visiting Professor: Patricia Halpin.
Understanding World Cultures
Colleen Sasso
Thurs 11:00 – 12:15
The class will focus on reading both Literature and biographical pieces, discussing the student relates to it. The reading will focus on the student experience in other cultures. Students interested in majors such as History, English, Politics and Society, and Humanities may consider enrolling in this course. Also, students who have an interest in the Study Abroad program and learning about other cultures may find this section of First Year Seminar a good fit.
Exploring S.T.E.M.
Karlea Brunelle-Joiner
Thurs 11:00 – 12:15
This seminar is designed to introduce new college students to college life while simultaneously exploring science, technology, engineering and mathematics. College transitional topics such as time-management and study skills will be intertwined with S.T.E.M specific topics including current issues, working collaboratively, problem solving and communication. The class will explore academic curriculums at the University and explore careers in these fields. First-year students, who are interested in these majors will benefit largely from this course.
Visiting Professor(s): STEM faculty
Getting Engaged
Colleen Sasso
Thurs 1:00 – 2:15
This class will focus on the concept that with great privilege comes great responsibility. As an American college student, you are given a significant opportunity to not only enhance self as learner, self as critical thinker and problem-solver, self as human and interpersonal but also to bring these opportunities out from self into community. We will first focus on the strengths and challenges of our selves: the goals, aspirations, and obstacles of our developing educational journey. We will then look to define what we mean by community (local, domestic, global) and what it means to engage self in community. We will design and implement a class project which demonstrates our working definition of "civic (community) engagement" and draws on the discoveries we have made about ourselves. There is a 10 hour community service requirement for this course. Visiting Professor: Dean Sally Ward