Freshman Seminar - Office of the Registrar

Fall 2024 Freshman Seminar Course Descriptions

FSEM 101-01 (CRN: 51514) “Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Human Nature”
MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor Melanie Maddox

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-01 (CRN:51515)
MWF 10:00-10:50
Professor Jennifer Adair

We will use the genres of Science-Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror to explore critical thinking and written communication. What do we imagine the future to be, what do we dream about, and what are our deepest fears?

FSEM 101-02 (CRN: 51517) & FSEM101-03 (CRN:51518) “Honors Freshman Seminar“
MWF 11:00-11:50, MWF 09:00-09:50
Professor Deidre Ragan

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-02 (CRN: 51516) & FSWI 101-03 (CRN: 51519)
MWF 09:00-09:50, MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor Jennifer Adair

Description coming soon!

FSEM 101-04 (CRN:51520): “Standard American Diet”
MWF 13:00-13:50
Professor Andrea Gramling

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-04 (CRN: 51521)
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor James Leonard

Food is a fundamental need and a basic requirement for life, yet food choice in America is confusing and can have potential health consequences for individuals and our society. Professor Gramling’s seminar will explore the forces that shape the industrialized food system and our modern understanding of health and nutrition. Through independent research and analysis, students will develop a deeper understanding of the personal, cultural, and public health consequences of the Standard American Diet.

FSEM 101-05 (CRN:51522): “Military and the Environment”
MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor James Berry

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-05 (CRN:51523)
MWF 13:00-13:50
Professor Thomas Plichta

The relationship between the military and the environment is unique. Rarely do humans intentionally cause complete and lasting destruction of the environment as they do during times of war. In this course, we will explore some of the environmental impacts of military actions and warfare, and examine alternatives.

FSEM 101-06 (CRN:51525) & FSEM 101-07 (CRN:51527): “Border Cross and Narco Culture”
MWF 11:00-11:50, MWF 12:00-12:50
Professor Nancy Aguirre

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-06 (CRN: 51524) & FSWI 101-07 (CRN: 51526)
MWF 12:00-12:50 MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor James Leonard, Professor Alaina Rink

This seminar will explore cartel culture and its economic, social, and political ramifications in Mexico and the United States. Students will study the history of the drug trade in the Western Hemisphere, as well as government responses to this lucrative industry. Students will also analyze U.S. demand for drugs, and the impact of the drug trade on local communities, immigration and national security. Primary source analysis is a key component in this seminar, and students will read first-hand accounts of people impacted by the cartels, including victims of Mexico’s Drug War from 2008-2012. This course will prompt students to evaluate these testimonies and compare these accounts to glamorized depictions of cartels in popular culture. Students will also explore the ways in which narco culture shapes gender roles, religion, music, clothing, and media in Mexico and the United States.

FSEM 101-08 (CRN:51529): “Environmental Hazards”
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Simon Ghanat

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-08 (CRN:51528)
MWF 09:00-09:50

Anthropogenic environmental hazards are an inter-disciplinary area of study that involves various aspects of natural sciences, applied sciences and social sciences. This course will focus on critical review of scientific literature for environmental impacts, especially chemical contamination caused by anthropogenic disasters. Basic scientific concepts of human-made environmental hazards will be explained throughout the course and will be enhanced by discussing various case studies (i.e., Flint Water Crisis, A Civil Action, Love Canal, Erin Brockovich). The course will provide opportunities for: reading; creative and critical thinking; inquiry and analysis; ethical reasoning and action; oral and written communication; and engaging with others in a shared conversation about stimulating material.

FSEM 101-09 (CRN: 51531) & FSEM 101-10 (CRN:51534): “Growth Mindset“
TR 11:00-12:15, TR 09:30-10:45
Professor Suzanne Jones

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-09 (CRN: 51530) & FSWI 101-10 (CRN: 51532)
TR 09:30-10:45, TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Thomas Thompson

Can we increase our intelligence, abilities, and talents or are they determined at birth? Are our minds fixed or can we grow them? Did you know that we can build new neural pathways that will allow our brains to function in new ways? Come and explore how our brain is a muscle, like others in the human body. In this course, we will explore how our brains learn. We will come to see obstacles as challenges and mistakes as opportunities for growth. We will also develop our resiliency and grit. We will learn what a growth mindset is and how to cultivate it. We will apply the growth mindset as we increase our intelligence and talents in the areas of art, communication, math, and science. This course will help you to become a lifelong learner.

FSEM 101-11 (CRN: 51535) & FSEM 101-12 (CRN: 51536): “Games and How to Win Them”
MWF 08:00-08:50, MWF 10:00-10:50
Professor Breeanne Swart

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-11 (CRN: 51533) & FSWI 101-12 (CRN: 51544)
TR 09:30-10:45, TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Lindsey Spring

In FSEM 101 the student will be challenged to complete assignments that are tied to the learning outcomes of ɬ�﷬’s General Education program. The individual sections of the seminar are designed to appeal to a wide range of student interests, but all are focused on important questions that call for mature study and reflection. Each individual seminar is linked with a thematically-related Writing Intensive class (FSWI 101). In this FSEM 101, we will explore a variety of deterministic combinatorial games, including impartial and partisan games. For each game, we will determine winning strategies. Justifications will play an important role in this course. Games investigated may include Nim, Hex, and Hackenbush.

FSEM 101-13 (CRN: 51537): “Haptics and Technology“
TR 09:30-10:45
Professor Bryan MacGavin

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-13 (CRN: 51545)
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Sean Glassberg

Human touch perception and biology; technical measures including just noticeable difference, Weber fractions, absolute detection thresholds, Stevens’ power law; language through touch; haptics in education; universal design; accessibility in product design.

FSEM 101-14 (CRN: 51538): “Logic and Inference”
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor John Sanders

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-14 (CRN: 51547)
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Thomas Horan

Detectives use forensic evidence to reconstruct a crime and identify the culprit(s). Physicians and therapists observe a patient’s symptoms to formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan. Scientists perform experiments to identify the laws of nature. Mathematicians prove general theorems that apply to anything that can be quantified. Engineers and computer scientists design products to fulfill societal needs while working within given constraints. Statisticians analyze data and draw conclusions. All of these examples have one thing in common. Logic, or how we infer what is true (or not true) based on available data, is at the heart of almost every discipline. In this course, you will learn about the different types of logic used in various professions and how to apply them. Students of every major, and students who are still undecided on their major, are all equally welcome in this course. No matter what you decide to do, this course is designed to help you succeed.

FSEM 101-15 (CRN: 51539): “Physics and Nature of Reality”
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Rene Hurka

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-15 (CRN: 51549)
MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor TBD

FSEM 101-16 (CRN: 51540): “Pop Culture in Latin America”
MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor Silvia Roca-Martinez

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-16 (CRN: 51550)
MWF 09:00-09:50
Professor James Leonard

This course explores the diverse, vibrant, and multifaceted world of Latin American popular culture. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will delve into the dynamic expressions of identity, history, and social change embedded in the region’s music, dance, literature, film, visual arts, and culinary traditions.

FSEM 101-17 (CRN: 51541) & FSEM 101-18 (CRN: 51542): “Futbol: The Beautiful Game”
MWF 09:00-09:50, MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor Vicente Gomis-Izquierdo

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-17 (CRN: 51551) & FSWI 101-18 (CRN: 51552)
MWF 10:00-10:50, TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Alaina Rink

Why are Latin Americans so passionate about soccer? The answer to this question is a complex and multifaceted one. The history of this passion goes back to the mid-19th century when British workers were sent to Latin America to build railroads and operate railroad companies. Along with them, soccer arrived in the region. The first documented match took place in Argentina in 1867. Since then, soccer quickly spread out over Latin America to become the most popular sport — by a large margin — in nearly every country. In this course we will examine the history of soccer in Latin America and its links to politics, culture, racial issues, and gender discrimination. We will also take a look at the lives of iconic figures such as Di Stéfano, Garrincha, Pelé, Maradona, Messi, and Marta. Taught in English. This course discusses the history and relevance of soccer in Latin America. We will start with its origins, how it came to the continent and how it developed over the decades. We will also discuss the most important figures of the sport. Names like Maradona, Messi, Pelé, Francescoli, Zamorano, Hugo Sánchez, or Marta have shaped soccer into a global phenomenon. As such, soccer has influenced and has been influenced by the social, the political, the economic, and more. Through readings, videos, and other multimedia representations we will have a more complete picture of the meaning of soccer in Latin America.

FSEM 101-19 (CRN: 51543) “The History of the FBI”
TR 09:30-10:45
Professor Melissa Graves

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-19 (CRN:51553)
MWF 09:00-09:50
Professor Amy Walters

This course introduces students to the history of the FBI as a prism through which to view the larger history of the United States’ approach to law enforcement and intelligence over the last 120 years. What began as a controversial, “federal” creation in the tenuous years following the Civil War eventually burgeoned into the FBI as we know it today—a large organization with the ability to investigate worldwide wrongdoings, led primarily through the work of special agents. This course will challenge traditional stereotypes of the Bureau by looking at specific instances in history, assessing spheres of power, and evaluating the impacts of popular figures (i.e., J. Edgar Hoover) on the Bureau’s development. The class will strengthen students’ ability to analyze and communicate different issues and be informed citizens concerning issues related to the FBI. Students will uncover the iterative nature of crime, espionage, and war, which led to paradigm shifts in American society.

FSEM 101-20 (CRN: 51468) “The Rise of AI”
TR 13:30-14:45
Professor Sylmarie Davila Montero

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-20 (CRN:51554)
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Scott Lucas

This Seminar will address issues arising from recent significant advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), an exciting technology inspired by the ways people take action based on the ability to sense, learn, and reason about their surroundings. AI is poised to become computational technologies with limitless possibilities that will have substantial impact on everyday lives including computers capable of problem-solving and human interaction. Specifically, this seminar will explore the influence of AI in our daily lives and its impact on humanity, especially the increasingly pervasive nature of AI in manufacturing, media, entertainment, medicine, etc.

FSEM 101-21 (CRN: 51546) “Beyond the Great Wall: Chinese Culture through Art“
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Yingxian Wu

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-21 (CRN:51556)
TR 13:30-14:45
Professor Alaina Rink

This course offers an in-depth exploration of Chinese culture and the history of warfare through the lens of art. Students will delve into the rich history of Chinese culture and art, gaining practical experience with Chinese calligraphy, painting, and design as they relate to daily life and warfare. Through the study of China’s extensive military history, reflected in masterpieces of painting, calligraphy, music, and theater, students will explore famous wars, the construction of weaponry and fortifications, the development of military strategy, and notable military figures. The curriculum includes hands-on activities such as calligraphy and painting exercises, war simulations, war figure painting, and weapon modeling. Additionally, students will engage in video viewings, war films, and discussions to further their understanding of the intersection between art and military culture. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of how art has documented and influenced Chinese military history and culture.

FSEM 101-22 (CRN: 51548) & FSEM 101-25 (51602): “Outfoxing the Enemy Within”
TR 15:00-16:15, TR 13:30-14:45
Professor E. Frances Frame

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-22 (CRN:51558), FSWI 101.25 (CRN 51603)
MWF 08:00-08:50, TR 09:30-10:45
Professor Amy Walters, Professor Sean Glassberg

In this course, we will apply Karl Jung’s concept of the shadow self to the question of what it means to be a mature and mindful individual, connect adulthood to relating respectfully to others, and use shadow-self theory to analyze literature and film. We will identify attention, acceptance, appreciation, affection, and allowing as vital to human flourishing and fear, anger, and guilt as obstacles to healthy adulthood. We will differentiate advantageous responses to challenges (sensitivity, fortitude, self-reliance, and empathy) from unproductive reactions (rationalization, drama, and people-pleasing), develop assertiveness skills, and evaluate victory over inflated ego as a potential key to maturity. In the second unit of the course, we will discuss maintaining personal boundaries in relationships, elements of true intimacy, fears of abandonment and engulfment, and jealousy and infidelity.

FSEM 101-23 (CRN: 51598): “Latino Art & Culture”
MWF 12:00-12:50
Professor Adelaida Bidot-Lopez

Co-requisite: FSWI 101-23 (CRN:51599)
TR 09:30-10:45
Professor Begoña Vilouta-Vázquez

This course offers a panoramic view of the art and culture of Latin American countries. It explore the different artistic manifestations of Latin culture, not only the traditional ones, such as painting, sculpture, but also the non-traditional or “alternative” ones, such as urban art (graffiti, murals, TAGS, Stickers, Scratches), comics, indigenous crafts, accessories, and body adornments. It also contemplates the common elements of Latin countries and those that differentiate them. The learning process is based on offering students the experience of knowing “what is Latino,” not only from academic study, but also from the experience of creating cultural elements. The students will do some urban art creations and crafts in class. They don’t need to have artistic skills, just the enthusiasm and interest to approach them.

FSEM 101-24 (CRN: 51600): “Modern Americans, Modern Grit“
TR 13:30-14:45
Professor James Leonard
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-24 (CRN:51601)
TR 08:00-09-15
Professor Sean Glassberg

While we often think about the Roaring Twenties as a time of liberation and personal expression, it was nevertheless marred by the political and social contradictions of Prohibition–the federal ban on alcohol. In this class, we will examine how this strange mixture of social and criminal evolution allowed writers and filmmakers to articulate a version of the rugged American individualist equipped to navigate the complexities of crime and corruption that came to define popular representations of the modernizing American city.