FYS-120 First Year Seminar in Social Science

This course will serve as an introduction to social science inquiry. Each seminar will focus on a particular topic, and students will use exploration of that topic to develop the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills needed to fully engage study in sociology, political science, psychology, anthropology, and history. The seminar will also introduce students to practices that are necessary for meaningful learning and academic success, such as self-reflection, mindful study habits, and the use of campus resources.

Credits

3

Department

• Social Science

For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

FYS 120: First Year Seminar in Social Science

Department

Social Science

Course Description

This course will serve as an introduction to social science inquiry. Each seminar will focus on a particular topic, and students will use exploration of that topic to develop the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills needed to fully engage study in sociology, political science, psychology, anthropology, and history. The seminar will also introduce students to practices that are necessary for meaningful learning and academic success, such as self-reflection, mindful study habits, and the use of campus resources.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture	3
Lab	0
Other	0

Grading Scheme

Letter

First Year Experience Course

Yes

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Pose questions in order to explore a topic, resource, or issue in the social sciences about which they are curious.
2. Reflect on their own learning in order to articulate academic and career goals and develop an educational plan to reach those goals.
3. Demonstrate information literacy skills designed to enhance academic and personal success.
4. Use social science concepts to analyze a specific issue within the overall topic of the course.

Topic Outline

1. Each seminar will focus on a particular topic or issue in the social sciences, using primary and secondary literature to explore that topic while also teaching the following. Instructors are not required to follow the order presented below.
2. 1. The scientific study of human social life
3.     a. Professional, academic, and personal uses of the social sciences
4. 2. Learning in the social sciences
5.     a. Critical concepts and theoretical lenses
6. 3. Information literacy within a social science discipline
7.     a. The peer-reviewed journal
8.     b. Evaluating sources
9.     c. Plagiarism and citing sources
10. 4. The learning self
11.     a. Discipline and self-awareness
12.     b. Developing skills and cultivating habits
13. 5. Introduction to the college experience
14.     a. Resources and facilities
15.     b. Culture and social life
16.     c. The rules: formal and informal