Spring 2025 Freshman Seminar Course Descriptions
FSEM 101-01 (CRN: 11399) “Military & the Environment”
MWF 12:00-12:50
Professor James Berry
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-01 (CRN:11440)
MWF 10:00-10:50
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 environmental impacts of military actions and warfare, and examine alternatives
FSEM 101-02 (CRN: 11430): “Physics & the Nature of Reality“
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Rene Hurka
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-02 (CRN: 11441)
MWF 10:00-10:50
Professor Alaina Rink
Quantum Mechanics and the Special and General Theories of Relativity have allowed physicists to explain phenomena that extend well beyond our direct, everyday experiences – from objects moving close to the speed of light to massive galactic clusters to the smallest building blocks of matter. But with these theories have come ideas about the nature of reality that seem very counterintuitive and that are at odds with our commonsense notions of reality. In this course, we will first examine how scientists develop scientific models and we will gain an understanding of the complexity and limitations of this process. We will also explore how a failure to recognize these complexities and limitations can lead to a simplistic view of science that can (and has) lead to misunderstandings of what scientists do by those outside of that culture. We will then discuss the Special and General Theories of Relativity and what they say about the nature of space and time. Finally, we will discuss Quantum Mechanics and what it has to say about the basic building blocks of nature and the possible limitations it seems to impose on what we can know about the entities that make up reality.
FSEM 101-03 (CRN:11431) & FSEM 101-04 (CRN:11432): “Games and How to Win Them”
MWF 08:00-08:50, MWF 10:00-10:50
Professor Breeanna Swart
In this course, 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 will include Nim and Hackenbush. Students will create and analyze their own deterministic combinatorial game.
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-03 (CRN: 11443) & FSWI 101-04 (CRN:11444): “Writing Texts in Contexts“
TR 11:00-12:15, TR 13:30-14:45
Professor Lindsey Spring
The Freshman Seminar is a six-credit unit composed of two three-credit classes taken concurrently—FSEM 101-04 and the thematically-linked writing intensive FSWI 101-04. Individual seminars, all of which focus on important questions or problems, introduce students to the demands of academic work. Seminar students begin to do signature work, “synthesizing, analyzing, and applying cumulative knowledge and skills through problem- or inquiry-based assignments or projects” (2019-2020 Course Catalog 103). Student assignments in this course are assessed using the written communication AAC&U rubric.
In this writing intensive course, students will use a variety of primary and secondary sources to explore their personal experiences and interests. Students will dig into texts and their contexts as they conduct research to compose an argumentative essay project. During this process, students will consider what makes a piece of writing effective in both academic and public spheres. The work for the semester will improve students’ approaches to thinking, researching, reading and writing. From this course students will develop skill sets that will help them in future courses as well as their personal, professional, and public lives. Communicating effectively through writing is an invaluable skill, and we will develop this skill this semester.
Additionally, this course asks students to think about writing as a process, a series of conscious choices and iterative steps used to craft appropriate responses to the variety of tasks and situations they’ll encounter in life. This course is aimed at making students aware of their writing as writing. We will cultivate this awareness by engaging scholarly texts about writing and by undertaking projects that ask students to critically assess their writing process
FSEM 101-05 (CRN: 11433): “Latino Art & Culture”
MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor Adelaida Bidot-Lopez
What does it mean to be Latino? How cultural and ethnic qualities are manifested through Art? What is the image that Latin Americans export of themselves? How do we interpret them? The course will bring students closer to the knowledge of Latin America using its global and particular culture. They will experience part of the idiosyncrasy of the Hispanic and Latin American continent through artistic projects of sculpture, music, multimedia (including films and short films), painting, and a brief sample of his literature: specific contemporary texts that are part of universal literature. We will, also, experience how art transcends their cultural space and is part of caring for the environment, studying different projects on Art made with recycling and inorganic and technological waste. We intend the course to be more of an artistic and dynamic experience than a theoretical one. For this reason, the creation and critical analysis of students will have greater weight in the evaluation than tests based on information and data.
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-05 (CRN:11445): “Hardboiled America”
TR 13:30-14:45
Professor James Leonard
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 101-06 (CRN: 11434) : “Futbol: The Beautiful Game”
MWF 09:00-09:50
Professor Vicente Gomis-Izquierdo
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-06 (CRN: 11446)
MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor Alaina Rink
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 101-07 (CRN: 11435): “From Evolution to Revolution“
TR 09:30-10:45
Professor Beatrice Frask Ramos
From the depths of the caves of Lascaux to the Gaulish settlements, on to the Renaissance castles up to the sumptuous palace of Versailles, come and learn about the fascinating French civilization. A blend of bloodshed history that ultimately led to the French Revolution. Art, warfare, architecture, religion, Enlightenment and so much more await you on the journey from Evolution to Revolution.
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-07 (CRN: 11447): “Think Hard/Write Well”
MWF 09:00-09:50
Professor Jennifer Adair
This class is intended to provide you with a foundation for college writing, as well as the professional world.
According to “A Framework for Success,” we should “foster these habits of mind through writing, reading, and critical analysis experiences” ( https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED516360.pdf). Taken from the above document, we will develop and polish:
Rhetorical knowledge – the ability to analyze and act on understandings of audiences, purposes, and contexts in creating and comprehending texts;
Critical thinking – the ability to analyze a situation or text and make thoughtful decisions based on that analysis, through writing, reading, and research;
Writing processes – multiple strategies to approach and undertake writing and research;
Knowledge of conventions – the formal and informal guidelines that define what is considered to be correct and appropriate, or incorrect and inappropriate, in a piece of writing.
FSEM 101-08 (CRN:11436): “From Evolution to Revolution“
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor Beatrice Frask Ramos
From the depths of the caves of Lascaux to the Gaulish settlements, on to the Renaissance castles up to the sumptuous palace of Versailles, come and learn about the fascinating French civilization. A blend of bloodshed history that ultimately led to the French Revolution. Art, warfare, architecture, religion, Enlightenment and so much more await you on the journey from Evolution to Revolution.
FSWI 101-08 (CRN:11448): “Online Learning in Higher Education”
TR 08:00-09:15
Professor Sean Glassberg
The Writing Intensive half of the six-credit hour Freshman Seminar develops a student’s skills in academic writing. Starting with brief compositions and progressing to a full-length research paper, students work on key writing challenges such as organizing ideas, developing content, and presenting evidence. Each individual Writing Intensive class is linked with a thematically related section of FSEM 101.
In this specific section, we will engage with some of the material from your respective FSEM classes; however, this class will challenge you to consider the role of higher education in American society, especially its relationship with technology. Most of you are Knobs at this institution; therefore, you have grown up in a much different world than most, if not all, of your professors. Most of you have never experienced a world in which there are no cell phones, no options to DoorDash or receive an Amazon order on your doorstep within 24 hours of placing the order. Whereas many, if not all, of you have taken some form of virtual classes, many of your professors have never been enrolled in an online undergraduate college class. This course will ask you to examine the opportunities brought by technology as well as the negative consequences. The culminating research project requires you to study the benefits and negatives of online learning in higher education and argue for strategies to improve this method of teaching and learning.
FSEM 101-09 (CRN: 11437): “Outfoxing the Enemy Within”
TR 15:00-16:15
Professor E. Frances Frame
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.
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-09 (CRN:11449): “Outfoxing the Enemy Within”
TR 09:30-10:45
Professor Amy Walters
The purpose of this FSWI is to develop a student’s skills in analyzing literature and producing academic writing. Starting with brief compositions and progressing to a full-length research paper, students will work on organizing ideas, developing content, and presenting written evidence.
FSEM 101-10 (CRN: 11438): “Logic and Inference”
TR 11:00-12:15
Professor John Sanders
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.
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-10 (CRN: 11450): “Myths, Monuments, and Memory”
MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor Sean Heuston
The Freshman Seminar is a six-credit unit composed of two three- credit classes taken concurrently—FSEM 101 and the thematically-linked writing intensive FSWI 101. The individual seminars, all of which focus on important questions or problems, introduce students to the demands of academic work. Student assignments in the seminars are tied to the six essential General Education outcomes (quantitative literacy, written communication, critical thinking, inquiry and analysis, intercultural knowledge, and ethical reasoning). Seminar students begin to do signature work, “synthesizing, analyzing, and applying cumulative knowledge and skills
FSEM 101-11 (CRN: 11438): “The Titanic”
MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor Katherine Grenier
This Freshman Seminar will examine the history and mythic significance of the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic. We will consider the history of this event in the context of early twentieth-century British and American history. When, where, why, and how was Titanic built? Why did it sink? Who survived and who did not? Who bears responsibility for this disaster? Why do people continue to be fascinated by this event? Through newspapers, books, and movies we will explore how people in the early twentieth century and since have interpreted these disasters, and why they have captured so much imagination.
Co-requisite: FSWI 101-10 (CRN: 11450): “Myths, Monuments, and Memory”
MWF 11:00-11:50
Professor Sean Heuston
The Freshman Seminar is a six-credit unit composed of two three- credit classes taken concurrently—FSEM 101 and the thematically-linked writing intensive FSWI 101. The individual seminars, all of which focus on important questions or problems, introduce students to the demands of academic work. Student assignments in the seminars are tied to the six essential General Education outcomes (quantitative literacy, written communication, critical thinking, inquiry and analysis, intercultural knowledge, and ethical reasoning). Seminar students begin to do signature work, “synthesizing, analyzing, and applying cumulative knowledge and skills