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Introduction to UNIV 100 

UNIV 100 (First-Year Seminar) is a 3 credit-hour, full semester, 15-week course designed to help first-year Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ Lafayette students transition successfully from high school to university life and academic work.

Effective Fall 2015, UNIV 100 became a first-year seminar focused on an academic topic chosen by the instructor.  The course is problem or project-based, and engages students in meaningful inquiry and activities that develop core cognitive skills such as critical thinking, information literacy, and oral and written communication skills. Many UNIV 100 courses generate student-produced projects. The best projects are displayed in the UNIV 100 Showcase.

Instructors propose a course based on a topic of their interest and expertise. During an orientation session, the courses are advertised to students based on those themes and topics. Students then choose a topic they find engaging and enroll in the section. Students are not obligated to choose a course within their major and may choose one outside of their field of study.

Course Description

UNIV 100 is the first course in the General Education Core Curriculum. The following course description is applied to all sections of the course:

"Introduction to General Education through (often interdisciplinary) exploration of topics of contemporary interest and enduring importance. Increases knowledge and skills that improve academic success."

UNIV 100 Themes

UNIV 100 courses are organized into eight different themes to help students select from among the 100+ sections those which interest them the most. Instructors propose a specific topic within the theme.

Art & Music - Are you interested in the way art or music shapes our culture and lives? How about the way the arts have defined history, influenced politics, and been connected with social movements? These classes will give you an introduction to the impact of the arts, beauty, and music.

Culture & Literature - Are you interested in the big picture? Are you curious about how people have used religion, culture, literature, and the arts to understand the world around them to create meaning? Courses in this theme will give you an introduction to the study of human experience through fashion, literature, philosophy, and world culture.

History & Politics - Do you enjoy learning about politics and history? How about class simulations where you get an in-depth view of how institutions work and decisions are made? Are you interested in the official and unofficial ways that policy and norms influence our lives? These classes will give you a taste for the basics in the study of history and politics and will help you dig deeply into the course topics.

Leadership & Engagement - Are you interested in being engaged in campus life and in your community? Would you like to learn how to be a more effective leader? These sections will help you learn more about yourself, engage with your peers, develop your own leadership style, and serve and improve your community.

Mastering the First Year - You’ve decided to come to college, but you aren’t exactly sure what comes next. Maybe you need help figuring out which major or career is best for you? Do you need to work on getting better at time management, study skills, or goal setting? These courses are designed to lead you down the path of success as you begin your college journey!  (Approximately 20 sections of this themed course will be offered in the fall. Though mostly taught by full-time staff from the Office of First-Year Experience and Academic Success Center, a very small number of sections may be taught by other instructors. Sections in this theme are based on a common syllabus that focuses on personal development, goal-setting, time-management, leadership, and career planning.)

Popular Culture - Do you love not only watching your favorite TV shows but also dissecting the cultural and political influences that drive the stories? Are you interested in the way social media is transforming our culture, our businesses, and the way we interact? This theme will give you an in-depth perspective on the driving forces behind popular culture.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) & Health - Are you interested in knowing more about your environment? Do you want to learn about how science impacts your daily life – from climate change to the internet? Interested in knowing more about the biological and psychological foundations of health and wellness? Are you the type of person who likes engineering and problem solving?  These courses will introduce you to the STEM and Health areas in a way that is applicable in your daily life.

The World of Business - Want to get a taste of business? Perhaps you’re interested in being an entrepreneur or would like to learn more about branding and marketing. These classes will introduce you to the basic ideas and skills that are necessary to be successful in the business world.

Honors Sections

Some sections are designated as Honors by the UNIV 100 Coordinator, and their section numbers begin with an H (e.g. H01, H20). These sections are open to all students, but students in the Honors Program may count any one of these sections of UNIV 100 towards their Honors curriculum. These sections are distinguished by being student-led with a heavy emphasis on active learning, critical thinking, and presentations.

Student Learning Outcomes

There are three Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) shared across all UNIV 100 first-year seminars. SLOs include:

1. Critical thinking and problem solving: the course will focus on a central theme or topic that asks the students to engage in University-level inquiry that challenges them to formulate appropriate questions, investigate potential answers, and arrive (at least tentatively) at solutions.
2. Oral and Written Communication Skills: students will state clearly and defend orally and in writing their ideas, arguments, and research questions.
3. Information Literacy: students will independently investigate answers to questions posed in the course, learn to find information and critically assess the relevance and value of that information vis-à-vis the questions posed, as well as formulate new questions based on the initial inquiry.

In meeting these learning outcomes, instructors should use problem-based or project-based pedagogies to engage students in meaningful inquiry and activities that develop core cognitive skills. (Instructional resources available on the Teaching Resources page). Many UNIV 100 courses will culminate in a student-produced project. The best projects are then shown off in the UNIV 100 Showcase.

Course Expectations

Each course is expected to provide assignments and activities that are challenging but appropriate for first-year students. At a minimum, assignment expectations include:

• Writing – 5-10 pages of writing over the entire semester, equivalent to 1,250-2,000 words.
• Reading – 5-15 pages of reading per week for at least 8 weeks during the semester.
• Presentations – At least one individual or group presentation
• Research – At least one project that involves gathering, using, and critically evaluating appropriate sources in the development of a project, paper, or presentation.
• Opportunities for formative feedback/drafts/revisions – First-year students often do not have a clear understanding of expectations for University-level work. Provide opportunities for them to learn about the course expectations in low-stake settings.

Application Process

The UNIV 100 Instructor Application must be completed in its entirety. Before you begin the applications, please note the following information:

• Submission of this application does not guarantee you will be selected as an UNIV 100 Instructor. A representative from the Office of First-Year will reach out to those individuals who are selected.
• All potential UNIV 100 Instructors must attend the UNIV 100 Instructor Training. Attending training does not guarantee you will be hired.
• All UNIV 100 instructors must attend New Student Convocation.
• All UNIV 100 instructors must meet with their assigned Peer Mentor (in person, on Teams or Zoom).
• If selected to teach, a representative from Office of Faculty Affairs will reach out to candidates and request a copy of the most recent university transcript(s). These must be come directly from your granting institution. Please do not have the transcript sent until it is requested.
• A current C.V. or resume is required.

Note that once you begin the application, the information will not automatically save your progress.