Freshman Seminars - Archives
The Freshman Seminar Program offers first-year students access to small, discussion-oriented classes that many UW students may not experience until they are juniors or seniors. Distinguished UW faculty members teach these seminars on a topic of personal or professional interest. Freshman Seminars provide an intimate setting for engaging discussion between students and the professor. These seminars are particularly appropriate for students who want a first look at an unfamiliar field of study.
Winter 2011
Academic and Personal Discovery: Enriching Your College Experience
Instructors: Sarah Gremer, Residential Life/Housing and Food Services and Dr. Sara Mackenzie, Hall Health Center
Time: Tuesday, 3:30-4:20 pm
Location: Lander Hall room 135
GEN ST 197B
SLN: 19878
This seminar allows you to explore and develop goals to enrich your academic experiences by: 1) looking beyond the walls of the traditional classroom for opportunities and experiences and 2) helping you evaluate life choices that affect physical and mental well being. You will have the opportunity to engage with a variety of professionals and peers through presentations and discussions. Short assignments and personal reflection will be required. Academic Discovery topics include: choosing a major and preparing for a career; student organizations; service learning; volunteer opportunities; internships; undergraduate research; and study abroad. Personal Discovery topics include: health, nutrition and fitness; mental well-being; and relationships.
Enrollment: 40
Shaping Your Future through Self Knowledge and Skill Development
Instructors: Michelle Primley Benton, Jennifer Connors and Sarah Gremer,
Residential Life/Housing and Food Services
Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:20 pm
Location: Lander Hall 134, 135
GEN ST 197C
SLN:19879
During the first half of the seminar, students will explore their identities through the use of several popular inventories, such as the Enneagram, Myers-Briggs and StrengthsQuest, to enhance their self-awareness. Students will gain a greater understanding of their strengths and areas of opportunity for further development. Students will then learn and apply skills and techniques to broaden their experience – from applying for jobs and internships, to effective networking and interviewing techniques to further their personal development.
Enrollment: 40
Autumn 2010
Exploring Environmental Majors *
Instructor: Michelle Townsend
Time: Friday 10:30-11:20
Do you want to turn the tides and save our planet? Learn about life, ecology, natural processes, and human impact on earth and what you can do that will make a difference now? Join this seminar and explore majors in Environmental, Biological, and Physical Sciences geared toward preservation, conservation, and sustainability. Faculty from our award-winning departments will give presentations and facilitate discussions with students about why their research and disciplines are so important in our present time. Students also will have short reading and writing assignments intending to help them better understand their own interests and choose the right majors.
* This course can be taken by itself or as part of a Freshman Interest Group (FIG).
University of Washington Facts, Figures, History, and Traditions
Instructors: Courtney Acitelli, UW Alumni Association
Time: Wednesday 2:30-3:20
- What does the University mean to the state, the region and the world?
- What makes the University of Washington unique among other large public institutions?
- Who are UW alumni and what are they doing now to make a difference in their communities and in the world?
- What can students do during their first year of college that prepares them for being a member of the University of Washington community for life?
This class will explore UW facts, history and traditions, introduce campus resources to students and promote a shared sense of University of Washington identity.
Exploring Technology Design Majors *
Instructors: Raven Avery, Dowell Eugenio, Dan Feetham, Stephanie White
Time: Thursday 3:30-4:20
How does Facebook keep track of all your friends? How do blind students read this course description online? How can a computer scientist detect brain cancer before a doctor can? You can solve problems, improve lives, and express your creativity through technology design. In this freshmen seminar, you'll meet professors from Computer Science & Engineering, Human-Centered Design & Engineering, and Informatics. They'll discuss research areas such as Human-Computer Interaction, Accessibility, and Security. Academic Advisors, current students, and alumni will share tips on exploring majors, internships, and opportunities on campus. If you enjoy the problem-solving of math, or the creativity of art and design, these majors may be a great fit for you. You can help us design better technology. We'll help you start the journey.
* This course can be taken by itself or as part of a Freshman Interest Group (FIG).
Instructor: Beth Traxler, PhD. Associate Professor, Dept. of Microbiology
Time: Monday 3:30-4:20
This seminar class will encourage the students involved to discuss their perceptions of how different "minority" groups are defined and viewed in society. The role of different groups in science and the impact of different groups on scientific research will be discussed. Students will be required to participate in oral discussions of different topics and assigned readings and to write four brief summaries of different topics over the course of the quarter.
Spring 2010
Educational Planning: The Second-year and Beyond
Instructor: Laura Avila, Undergraduate Advising and Andrea Griggs, Educational Opportunity Programs
EOP students only period 1
What does it mean to 'get the most' out of your education? This seminar will provide a structured introduction to educational planning. You will explore and learn about academic majors and the experiential learning opportunities that can strengthen a student's educational plan and provide a link to your evolving professional and personal goals. You will meet representatives from various academic disciplines to gain insight into the variety of majors and departments available at the UW. As you learn about yourself and the University, and develop your plans you will be asked to be creative and challenge yourself to think how your plan relates to other important areas of life. The plan you develop will not only lead to graduation, but to a fuller sense of who you are as a learner and how you engage in the community around you.
Escaping the Cave: From Plato to the Sophomore Year
Instructor: Kurt Xyst, Undergraduate Advising
Tuesday 10:30-11:20
We all perform better when we know what is expected of us, but those expectations are often cloudy or unclear. This is all the more true when it comes to being a UW sophomore. This seminar course will reflect on the history and philosophical tradition of the Western university in order to shed (more) light on what college means for you and how to wrestle effectively with all the big decisions. The course will involve in-depth weekly readings, reflection and, most importantly, discussion. Topics covered will range from ancient Greek thinking about education to the UW General Education requirements and from research about the experiences of other UW students to research about what motivates us.
Exploring Environmentally-Related Majors: How will you decide?
Instructor: Amy Fox
Thursday 1:30-2:20
This seminar is designed for those interested in possibly declaring an environmentally-related major. You will be introduced to all of the environmentally-related majors available at the University of Washington. You will explore and learn about academic majors and the experiential learning opportunities that can strengthen your educational plan and provide a link to your evolving professional and personal goals.
Autumn 2009
Instructor: Margaret O'Mara
What forces shaped the development of cities in the United States? What effect do these historical patterns have on urban life today? How have American thinkers, artists, and political leaders imagined and re-imagined the city in different points in our history? What are the contemporary challenges facing the American city? This one-credit seminar will explore these questions and give you an opportunity to join in the debate about the American city's past, present, and future. We will meet for four two-hour sessions during the first four weeks of the quarter. At our second session we will watch and discuss the classic 1939 documentary, "The City." At our third session, students will meet with Bruce Katz, Vice President of the Brookings Institution in Washington DC and one of the nation's leading thinkers on urban and metropolitan policy. Students are required to attend Mr. Katz's public lecture that evening. Students are expected to complete short assigned readings, contribute discussion questions, attend class and the lecture, and write a short final essay.
Instructor: Beth Traxler, PhD. Associate Professor, Dept. of Microbiology
Time: Wednesdays 3:30-4:30, starting Oct. 7, 2009 until Dec. 9, 2009
This seminar class will encourage the students involved to discuss their perceptions of how different "minority" groups are defined and viewed in society. The role of different groups in science and the impact of different groups on scientific research will be discussed. Students will be required to participate in oral discussions of different topics and assigned readings and to write four brief summaries of different topics over the course of the quarter.
Dreams from My Father: Insights for Education and Schooling
Instructor: Prof. Gene Edgar
Time: Tuesday 12:20 – 1:20
In this seminar we will explore the text Dreams From My Father for insights about educational and schooling issues in the United States. We will use the text to reflect on our schooling and education and consider how schooling and education is distributed differently across citizens in the United States. We will also focus on building a learning community and transitioning to the University of Washington.
Dreams from my Father: Questions of Identity and Power
Instructor: Anu Taranath
Time: Tuesday 12:30 – 1:20
This freshman seminar will use Barack Obama's "Dreams from my Father" as an occasion to discuss the politics of university education, racial identities, American civic engagement, and other relevant themes.
Engineering as a Humanitarian Pursuit *
Instructor: Kristofer Martin
Time: Wednesday 2:30 – 3:20
Did you know that one of the most impactful ways for you to improve your community and our world is to become an engineer? Students will gain a greater awareness and appreciation of the role engineering has upon improving lives, advancing health, and enhancing society through this seminar. Format includes presentations and discussions with faculty and students and short reading and reflection assignments. For students interested in engineering as well as students looking for information on majors that will help them change the world.
* This course can be taken by itself or as part of a Freshman Interest Group (FIG).
Exploring Environmental Majors
Instructor: Michelle Townsend
Time: Friday 10:30 – 11:20
Do you want to turn the tides and save our planet? Learn about life, ecology, natural processes, and human impact on earth and what you can do that will make a difference now? Join this seminar and explore majors in Environmental, Biological, and Physical Sciences geared toward preservation, conservation, and sustainability. Faculty from our award-winning departments will give presentations and facilitate discussions with students about why their research and disciplines are so important in our present time. Students also will have short reading and writing assignments intending to help them better understand their own interests and choose the right majors.
Instructor: Christina Kerr
Time: Thursday 3:00 – 4:20
Exploring Health Care Careers is a two credit, graded credit/no credit (CR/NC) freshman seminar which will provide freshman with an opportunity to explore a broad range of health care careers and how, as an undergraduate, students can prepare to enter a career in the health care field.
International Collaboration in Engineering Research and Design
Instructor: Prof. Raj Bordia
Time: Tuesday 3:30 – 5:20
International and interdisciplinary teams are increasingly making developments and breakthroughs in engineering. Many of the leading engineering companies are global corporations with extensive and high level international research and development teams. This course is in collaboration with the College of Engineering at the Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. The course will introduce students to the essential elements of international collaborations in engineering research and design. Students will be introduced to research and design in engineering and the need, advantages and various models for international collaboration. The main focus of the course is a team based collaborative research or design project. Students will be divided into five groups; each of them will work with one faculty member at the University of Washington and a complementary team of students and faculty members from Tohoku University. The teams at University of Washington and Tohoku will work on complementary aspects of the same project. They will use a broad range of electronic communication tools to share results, findings and plan the project activities.
Instructor: Prof. David Strauss
Time: Thursday 3:30 – 5:20
This seminar involves historical and technical research, discussion and field work in Seattle Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Change. The goal is to outline the interrelationships of buildings, infrastructure and cultural value toward a city/region that consumes fewer and fewer resources. Urbanization and movements toward sustainability have focused on state of the art technology. This course intends to consider the physical and political impacts of neighborhood and regional change and solutions that result from both current and technological and pre-modern solutions.
Programming with Purpose: Creativity and Careers in Computer Science
Instructor: Raven Avery, Academic Adviser, Computer Science & Engineering
Description: This interactive seminar explores how you can contribute to the fabulous field of computer science and engineering. We'll visit a local company, view demos if current CSE research, and meet a variety of people working in the field. This is a great opportunity to explore majors and careers, and meet other students interested in technology. You must also be enrolled in CSE 142 or 143 to register.
Instructor: Jennifer Self, Q Center
Time: Monday 3:30 – 5:20
This seminar will provide an introduction to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) issue from a broad, affirming, and inclusive GLBT perspective. We will examine the personal, political, legal questions, as well as take a look at GLBT experiences on college and university campuses.
University of Washington Facts, History and Traditions
Instructors: Courtney Acitelli & Kyle Funakoshi, UW Alumni Association
So you're a University of Washington student now. But what does it truly mean to be a Husky? This course will explore the following topics from historical, sociological and student development perspectives:
- What does the University mean to the state, the region and the world?
- What makes the University of Washington unique among other large public institutions?
- Who are UW alumni and what are they doing now to make a difference in their communities and in the world?
- What can students do during their first year of college that prepares them for being a member of the University of Washington community for life?
This class will explore UW facts, history and traditions, introduce campus resources to students and promote a shared sense of University of Washington identity.
Instructor: Deborah Wiegand
Time: Thursday 3:30 – 4:20
Do you want to help the UW figure out how to best help you? Help you find your major, your career? Help you connect with faculty and students with similar interests? Help you get the most out of your 4 years here? The UW is currently developing requirements for a new student information system. One aspect of this system is called a Learning Plan. The Learning Plan is envisioned as a highly personalized, customizable, web-based application that allows learners to plan, track, and evaluate individual learning goals. These goals include anything you want to learn while an undergraduate at UW, not just what happens in the classroom. In the seminar class you'll help define the requirements for the Learning Plan and start building your own learning plan for the next 4 years. No programming skills needed, just interest in figuring out life at UW. Don't leave this to the ancient administrators at UW! Join this freshman seminar and make sure the new Learning Plan will work for you and your fellow students.
Instructor: Prof. Bill Talbott
Time: Wednesday 2:30 – 3:20
This seminar will provide an informal introduction to philosophy. The seminar sessions will consist of class discussions on a variety of topics, based on short weekly readings in a variety of different areas of philosophy. This seminar is especially suitable for students considering philosophy as a major or a minor. No prior knowledge of philosophy is assumed. The only requirement for taking this seminar is a willingness to do the short reading assignments each week, to attend class, and to participate in the class discussions. No prerequisites.
Spring 2009
Educational Planning: The Second-year and Beyond — The Undecided
Instructors: Laura Avila and Michelle Ferrez
What does it mean to "get the most" out of your education?
This seminar will provide a structured introduction to educational planning. You will explore and learn about academic majors and the experiential learning opportunities that can strengthen a student's educational plan and provide a link to your evolving professional and personal goals. You will meet representatives from various academic disciplines to gain insight into the variety of majors and departments available at the UW. As you learn about yourself and the University, and develop your plans you will be asked to be creative and challenge yourself to think how your plan relates to other important areas of life. The plan you develop will not only lead to graduation, but to a fuller sense of who you are as a learner and how you engage in the community around you.
Educational Planning: The Second Year and Beyond — The Environment
Instructor: Amy Fox
Are you in the process of narrowing down your choices for a major? Are you beginning to consider other pieces and/or experiences you would like to make sure you incorporate into your time here at the University of Washington? Are you interested in the environment?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then the spring GEN ST 197 Freshman Seminar titled "Educational Planning: The Second-year and Beyond - The Environment" might be a good fit for you. If you took "Exploring Environmental Majors at the UW" this past fall, this class would be a good complement to the topics covered in your previous class. It is not a prerequisite; however, every one is welcome.
This seminar will explore the differences between the first and second years of college and focus on information gathering, decision making and how to create a dynamic educational plan for yourself. You will meet faculty, advisers and students from a wide spectrum of environmentally-related majors and finish the quarter with a clear sense of which majors might be a good fit for you and a plan for how to navigate your next year and beyond as a college student.
Exploring Paths to Health Careers
Instructors: Dr. Tom Bouchard and Ben Drumm
Monday 2:30-3:20 • Location: Lander L-135 • Max Enrollment: 35
"Exploring Paths to Health Careers" is a one credit, graded credit/no credit (CR/NC) freshman seminar which addresses the concerns of a freshman who is completing the general chemistry series and is looking to continue the pre-health sciences path next year. The seminar will focus mainly on the pre-medical route, but could be useful for any pre-health student, and will take a broad look in exploring all of the facets of a strong pre-medical resume. Topics covered include: academic success in pre-health classes, advising, and extracurricular activities such as undergraduate research, volunteering, and the MCAT.
Inspiration from Contemporary Thinkers: Exploring Your Place in the Universe
Instructor: Deborah Pierce
Reference & Instruction Librarian, Libraries
In this seminar we will seek inspiration from the work of great contemporary thinkers and doers. Using this inspiration, you will have an opportunity to examine a topic of passion in which you may choose to make a vocational or avocational commitment. Well suited to students who want to explore how their interests might turn into work that benefits humankind and the planet.
Winter 2009
Contact Steven Thurston Oliver for additional information and add codes where needed.
Fundamentals of Event Planning
Instructor: Courtney Russell
Events Project Manager, UW Marketing, Development and Alumni Relations & External Affairs
The event planning industry is a relatively new field, but the profession is as old as time. Are you often asked to plan social events with friends? Perhaps you've considered a career in Event Planning but were not exactly sure what that encompasses? This seminar will explore the history, responsibilities, and various niche fields you can get involved in within the event industry. We will also discuss how the event planner's position plays a critical role in the marketing and communications fields. The course will combine practical lessons in event planning and coordination with discussions and reflections on your college transition. The course will culminate at the end of the quarter with a final event-based project. Prior knowledge or experience in event planning is not required. The course is open to all students - from those with a budding interest in the field to students who are well-seasoned planners.
Dr. Tom Bouchard, RFIG coordinator, Dr. Sara Mackenzie, clinical instructor, Hall Health Center
The primary purpose of the course is to provide information on topics that will enrich your college experience and promote academic and personal success. Exposing you to these topics early in your educational experience will allow you to develop a more effective plan for success. This seminar allows you to explore and develop goals to enrich your academic experiences by looking beyond the walls of the traditional classroom and helping you evaluate life choices that affect physical and mental well being. You will have the opportunity to engage with a variety of professionals and peers through presentations and discussions. Academic Discovery topics include: choosing a major and preparing for a career; service learning; volunteer opportunities; internships; undergraduate research; and study abroad. Personal Discovery topics include: nutrition; fitness; mental well-being; and relationships.
Human Subjects: History, Race, Medicine and Popular Culture
Instructor: Clarence Spigner, Associate Professor, Health Services
The history of medical research and "race" is addressed through the lens of popular culture. The era of the Atlantic Slave Trade reflected as has been cinematically reflected in Amazing Grace (2006) to the ante-Bellum period seen in The Patriot (2000), as well as the Civil War in Glory (1989), and the post-Bellum depicted in Birth of a Nation (1915) are addressed to establish the dominance vis-a-vis subservient dynamic. The image of doctors, in gothic novels and films such as Frankenstein (1931), Island of Lost Souls (1932) and Island of Dr. Moreau (1977 and 1996) are examined in light of biological exploitation of "the other." Race and power dynamics, as in the real-life Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment of 1932 -1972 and depicted in the HBO film, Miss Evers Boys (1997) are addressed regarding human subjects. The 1930 Eugenic Movement inspired WWII Nazi doctors, leading to the current Office on Human Subjects and Institutional Review Boards. The Civil Rights & Black Power Movement (1954-1970) confronted medical inequality as in The Hospital (1971), but the film industry continues to promote a lone white protagonist as in Coma (1978) and Extreme Measures (1996), thus negating collective movements. Renewed fascination with genetics seen in the foreboding Gattaca (1997) and the reality of dominant pharmaceutical industries as in Constant Gardener (2005) suggest that "race" and the vulnerability remain a significant issue in research with human subjects.
Instructor: John Vallier, Libraries Media Center
What is movie criticism? What does it take write convincing movie criticism? Why do movie critics write and who do they write for? How essential is effective movie criticism—and criticism in general—to the functioning of a fair and just society? In this seminar students will hone their movie reviewing chops by exploring these questions and by deconstructing examples of both effective and ineffective criticism. These analyses will in turn act as springboards for the students' own weekly critiques. Movies from a broad swath of genres—"adventure" to "zombie"—will be available for critique and will be made available via the UW Libraries Media Center. Student critiques will be published each week to a class blog. A final project will involve the production and recording of a movie criticism podcast or other multimedia work.
Develop: Production of a Photo Essay
Instructor: Grant Kollet, Director First Year Programs
Have you ever thought that you express yourself best through photos and images? The "Develop" Freshmen Seminar is a 2 credit course is designed for students who want to explore, capture, and share their transition to the UW through images. The course will combine practical lessons in photography and image editing with discussions and reflections on college transition. The course will culminate at the end of the quarter with a public showing of selected images from each member of the seminar. Extensive photography experience is not required for this class and cameras will be loaned to students who need them. The primary prerequisite for "Develop" is a sincere willingness and commitment to share your story of personal and academic growth through photographs.
QUEER 101: Exploring Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues
Instructor: Jennifer Self, Q Center
This seminar will provide an introduction to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) issue from a broad, affirming, and inclusive GLBT perspective. We will examine the personal, political, legal questions, as well as take a look at GLBT experiences on college and university campuses.
Instructor: Denise Anderson, Microbiology
News articles are full of information and misinformation about microorganisms and viruses. Using current and past news articles to guide discussions, students will get a glimpse into the field of microbiology. The seminar should be interesting to anyone who wants to know more about the role of microbes in our health and the environment. All it requires is regular attendance, an interest in learning, and willingness to read news articles.
Inspiration from Contemporary Thinkers: Exploring Your Place in the Universe
Instructor: Deborah Pierce, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Libraries
In this seminar we will seek inspiration from the work of great contemporary thinkers and doers. Using this inspiration, you will have an opportunity to examine a topic of passion in which you may choose to make a vocational or avocational commitment. Well suited to students who want to explore how their interests might turn into work that benefits humankind and the planet.
Autumn 2008
Click on course titles to view Time Schedule information for each seminar. Contact Steven Thurston Oliver for additional information and add codes where needed.
Exploring Seattle: a Survey of Community and Leadership
Instructors: Matthew Wojciakowski & Kathryn Pursch, Carlson Leadership & Public Service Center
This seminar will take a hands-on approach to exploring the Seattle community and the dynamic social issues being addressed by community non-profit organizations. Each seminar session will take participants into a different Seattle neighborhood to learn from a different organization and hear from community leaders how these non-profits address the needs of their community. In conjunction with the UW Common Book — The Devil's Highway — we'll explore the intersecting social issues that inform the lives of immigrants/refugees, low-income families, and individuals with insecure housing. Through this seminar, you'll discover ways that you can take an active role in the community, learn what support is available for this work, and consider the significant difference that community engagement could make on your undergraduate experience.
Instructor: Gabriel E. Gallardo
This seminar is intended to provide a brief introduction of the settlement of the Latino population in the United States. More specifically, the course uses a comparative, socio-historical and spatial approach to examine the historical context and the more recent social and political developments that have shaped the emergence of Latino communities in our country. The topics will include: the socio-historical context underlying Latino immigration; settlement and integration processes in the U.S.; the formation of Latino identities in the U.S.; undocumented immigration; and anti-immigrant debates. Luis Alberto Urrea's The Devil's Highway will be one of the reading requirements for the seminar.
Fundamentals of Event Planning
Instructor: Courtney Russell
Events Project Manager, UW Marketing, Development and Alumni Relations & External Affairs
The event planning industry is a relatively new field, but the profession is as old as time. Are you often asked to plan social events with friends? Perhaps you've considered a career in Event Planning but were not exactly sure what that encompasses? This seminar will explore the history, responsibilities, and various niche fields you can get involved in within the event industry. We will also discuss how the event planner's position plays a critical role in the marketing and communications fields. The course will combine practical lessons in event planning and coordination with discussions and reflections on your college transition. The course will culminate at the end of the quarter with a final event-based project. Prior knowledge or experience in event planning is not required. The course is open to all students - from those with a budding interest in the field to students who are well-seasoned planners.
Engineering as a Humanitarian Pursuit*
Instructor: Kristofer Martin
Did you know that one of the most impactful ways for you to improve your community and our world is to become an engineer? Students will gain a greater awareness and appreciation of the role engineering has upon improving lives, advancing health, and enhancing society through this seminar. Format includes presentations and discussions with faculty and students and short reading and reflection assignments. For students interested in engineering as well as students looking for information on majors that will help them change the world.
*This course can be taken by itself or as part of a Freshman Interest Group (FIG).
Queer 101: Exploring Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues*
Instructor: Jennifer Self, Q Center Coordinator
This seminar will provide an introduction to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) issue from a broad, affirming, and inclusive GLBT perspective. We will examine the personal, political, legal questions, as well as take a look at GLBT experiences on college and university campuses.
*This course is clustered with a FIG group. Students interested in taking this course separately should contact Steven Oliver (email or call 206-616-7260) for an add code.
Instructor: William Talbott, Department of Philosophy
This seminar will provide an informal introduction to philosophy. The seminar sessions will consist of class discussions on a variety of topics, based on short weekly readings in a variety of different areas of philosophy. This seminar is especially suitable for students considering philosophy as a major or a minor. No prior knowledge of philosophy is assumed. The only requirement for taking this seminar is a willingness to do the short reading assignments each week, to attend class, and to participate in the class discussions. No prerequisites.
Successful Aging: The Time to Start is Now
Instructor: H. Asuman Kiyak: Professor, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (Dentistry), Adjunct Professor, Architecture, Psychology, Director, Institute on Aging
The majority of human beings are capable of living long, healthy and productive lives. Students will explore the internal and environmental factors that along with genetics determine how an individual will age. Students will be introduced to research findings that highlight the many things that individuals can do in the present to facilitate aging successfully. This course is excellent for students interested in the Health Sciences.
Instructor: Steven Thurston Oliver and multiple guest presenters from the Muslim Community.
Current headlines regarding Islam often focus on extremism manifested by the actions of a few. Rarely do we hear stories that highlight the complexity and beauty of the worlds second largest and fastest growing religion. Students will explore Islam and other world religion through the narratives and perspectives of Muslims. Several speakers and panel discussions will provide students with a rich array of perspectives to draw from and the opportunity to ask questions. Students will gain a greater understanding of the ways in which Islam has influenced the social and cultural development of individuals and societies. Students will gain insight into interfaith dialogues geared towards promoting equity and social justice. The only requirement for taking this seminar is a willingness to do the short reading assignments each week, to attend class, and to participate in the class discussions.
*This course is clustered with a FIG group. Students interested in taking this course separately should contact Steven Oliver (email or call 206-616-7260) for an add code.
Sociological Lenses: Contemporary Issues in
Race, Class, Gender and Sexual Orientation
Instructor: Steven Oliver
Sociology is the study of society attempts to understand the structures that influence societal trends and individual behavior. This course will function as a learning community where students will be invited to integrate sociological theory with their lived experiences. Students will utilize sociological lenses to engage in discussion around contemporary and often controversial issues of race, glass, gender, and sexual identity. Students will dialogue with advisers from the Sociology department to gain a deeper understand of various study and career options open to those who choose the social sciences as a primary area of focus.
*This course is clustered with a FIG group. Students interested in taking this course separately should contact Steven Oliver (email or call 206-616-7260) for an add code.
Instructor: Prof. James W. Murray (543- 4730; jmurray@u.washington.edu)
Peak Oil and Climate Change are two historic events for humans and life on earth. Both result from societal dependence on fossil fuels. The first threatens modern industrial ways of living and the latter threatens the climatic systems that are an integral part of our world and the way we live and survive. Peak Oil is the point when global production of oil will reach a maximum for geological reasons. Climate Change is the alteration of the earth's climate systems due to global warming by anthropogenic CO2. How do these two events affect each other? Peak Oil and Climate Change are a bigger threat together than either are alone. Our biggest hope is to similarly converge our understanding of them, and how to deal with the problems they present. The solutions to both are essentially the same—development of renewable energy sources and increasing the efficiency of our energy use. The Climate Change movement has been saying for a long time that we should change; Peak Oil means categorically we have to change. Fuse them together and hopefully we'll get more momentum moving us in the right direction.
Power To Change the World: Exploring Computer Science and Engineering
Instructor: Raven Avery
The seminar explores the "real world" applications of computer science and engineering, from digital entertainment to improving lives in developing nations. We'll see demos of current CSE research projects, hear from CSE students and alumni, and visit a local company to see what life is like working in the tech industry. Computer science and engineering are valuable tools for many career paths -- this seminar will help you explore your interests, whether you're headed to med school, a game design studio, or are still exploring. Open only to freshmen enrolled in CSE 142 or 143.
Develop: Production of a Photo Essay
Instructor: Grant Kollett
Have you ever thought that you express yourself best through photos and images? The "Develop" Freshmen Seminar is a 2 credit course is designed for students who want to explore, capture, and share their transition to the UW through images. The course will combine practical lessons in photography and image editing with discussions and reflections on college transition. The course will culminate at the end of the quarter with a public showing of selected images from each member of the seminar. Extensive photography experience is not required for this class and cameras will be loaned to students who need them. The primary prerequisite for "Develop" is a sincere willingness and commitment to share your story of personal and academic growth through photographs.
The Pulp Romanticism: Comics as Literature
Instructor: Noell Bernard
Pop Comics emerged onto the world scene with a very black and white image: Superheroes battling Super-villains to save humanity from the evil plans teetering on the brink of fruition, threatening to ravish humanity and send them plunging into a darkness and despair. However, genre of Comics Literature has changed, as it has matured. As a result, the genre encompasses issues as varied as racism and the holocaust, to personifying Milton's romantic hero, Lucifer. In this seminar, you will be asked to draw upon your personal experiences in relation to comics and related readings. Together, we will discuss this up-and-coming genre which has just recently begun to draw respect from literary aficionados.
Exploring Environmental Majors at the U.W.*
Instructor: Michelle Townsend, School of Oceanography
Do you want to turn the tides and save our planet? Learn about life, ecology, natural processes, and human impact on earth and what you can do that will make a difference now? Join this seminar and explore majors in Environmental, Biological, and Physical Sciences geared toward preservation, conservation, and sustainability. Faculty from our award-winning departments will give presentations and facilitate discussions with students about why their research and disciplines are so important in our present time. Students also will have short reading and writing assignments intending to help them better understand their own interests and choose the right majors.
*This course is clustered with a FIG group. Students interested in taking this course separately should contact Steven Oliver (email or call 206-616-7260) for an add code.
Spring 2008
Queer 101: Exploring Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues
Instructor: Jennifer Self, Q Center Coordinator
This seminar will provide an introduction to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) issue from a broad, affirming, and inclusive GLBT perspective. We will examine the personal, political, legal questions, as well as take a look at GLBT experiences on college and university campuses.
Ethics and Social Policy of Health Care
Instructor: Fred J. Gianola, Seattle Campus
The objective of this seminar is to introduce the student to the diversity of ethical and social issues within health care provision. This course will focus around equity, access and triage, denial, privacy and compulsory care. There will be Guest speakers representing a majority of the Health Science Schools including * Dentistry * Health Sciences Libraries * iSchool * Medicine * Nursing * Pharmacy * Public Health * Social Work This class will provide the opportunity for students to meet and discuss ethical issues with senior faculty from the Health Science Schools. The seminar is only intended as a sampler in the area of ethics and social issues. It is meant to whet the intellectual appetite of the student for this type discussion and reflection as a preparation for more intense study in the course of her/his degree. The course is appropriate for all freshman students, but especially those who are interested in any aspect of heath.
Develop: Producation of a Photo Essay
Instructor: Grant Kollett
Have you ever thought that you express yourself best through photos and images? The "Develop" Freshmen Seminar is a 2 credit course is designed for students who want to explore, capture, and share their transition to the UW through images. The course will combine practical lessons in photography and image editing with discussions and reflections on college transition. The course will culminate at the end of the quarter with a public showing of selected images from each member of the seminar. Extensive photography experience is not required for this class and cameras will be loaned to students who need them. The primary prerequisite for "Develop" is a sincere willingness and commitment to share your story of personal and academic growth through photographs.
The Life, Teachings, and Work of His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Faciliator: Steven Thurston Oliver + Guest Speakers.
On Monday, April 14th His Holiness The Dalai Lama will make an historic visit to the U.W. Campus. The purpose of The Dalai Lama's visit will be to talk about his current work with Seeds of Compassion. This Freshman Seminar will give context to the visit by exploring the journey the Dalai Lama has undertaken to become a leader on the world stage addressing issues beyond the confines of his particular religious community. Through documentary films, readings and multiple guest speakers student will gain a deeper understanding of the life, teachings, and work of the Dalai Lama.
Educational Planning; The Second Year and Beyond (three sections offered)
Instructors: Tim McCoy, Kurt Xyst and Laura Avilia
The goal of this seminar is to create a dynamic learning community that will assist students in transitioning to their second year at the University of Washington. Students will be grounded in how to approach their own educational planning. Utilizing research for the purpose of self exploration, students will contextualize their first year at U.W. by examining the range of freshman and sophomore experiences. Students will explore questions of what they should be learning during their time at U.W. and how that learning should take place. The format of the class requires a high level of student committment and participation. Students who have taken this course previously reported that they found it extremely useful in helping them understand themselves as learning and developing a plan for continued success at the University of Washington. Priority for Washington State Achievers.
Impacts of the Changing Artic Ocean: From Microbes to Human Society
Instructor: Prof. Jody Deming
The Arctic Ocean is undergoing remarkably rapid changes, beyond all predictions, as a result of global warming. The continuing loss of sea ice, at a rate of 72,000 square kilometers (28,000 square miles) per year, means that all forms of ice-dependent life, from microbes to polar bears, will be challenged to adapt to new conditions or face extinction. In this seminar, we will explore the past, present and future of Arctic change and its impacts on organisms, ecosystems, and human society. The instructor's experiences aboard icebreaking vessels, as recently as this winter as part of the International Polar Year, will provide context for exploring the changing Arctic.
The Microbial World: Friend and Foe
Instructor: Jim Lara
Course will describe some of the major advances being made in the field of Microbiology from the perspective of people conducting the research. Students will have the opportunity to hear how these individuals were attracted to their specific field of study, what the focus of their work is, and the potential implications their work may have on the well being of individuals.
RAC Seminar: Academic and Personal Discovery
Instructor: Steven Thurston Oliver + Multiple Guest Speakers
This seminar facilitates students' transition to their sophomore year by focusing on topics that will aid academic and personal success. In the area of academic discovery and success topics include: service learning, internships, choosing a major and preparing for a career; study abroad; and National Student Exchange. Topics aiding personal discovery and success include: environment and health; relationships and sexuality; and mental well being. Students will have the opportunity to engage with a variety of professionals and peers through presentations and discussions.
Winter 2008
Develop: Producation of a Photo Essay
Instructor: Grant Kollett
Have you ever thought that you express yourself best through photos and images? The "Develop" Freshmen Seminar is a 2 credit course is designed for students who want to explore, capture, and share their transition to the UW through images. The course will combine practical lessons in photography and image editing with discussions and reflections on college transition. The course will culminate at the end of the quarter with a public showing of selected images from each member of the seminar. Extensive photography experience is not required for this class and cameras will be loaned to students who need them. The primary prerequisite for "Develop" is a sincere willingness and commitment to express ones college transition through photography. If you are seeking a small class that is both practical and helpful in your first quarter at the UW, the "Develop" Freshmen Seminar may be for you.
The Engineering of Health: Meeting Disease Challenges Through Engineering
Instructor: Professor Paolo Vincini, Associate Professor of Bioengineering
The purpose of this seminar will be to expose UW freshmen to how engineering principles can be used to address timely, important challenges in the treatment of disease. Guest speakers from Bioengineering and other departments will each highlight a disease area (examples may include diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer) and engineering approaches to meet its specific challenges. Publications and articles from both the popular press and the scientific literature (as appropriate) will be used to illustrate significant contributions and challenges. Intended for students with an interest in (bio)engineering or biomedical research."
Film, Media and Struggles for Representation: Contemporary Images of Sexuality, Race and Gender
Instructor: Tamara Cooper, Comparative Literature
Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30
How have representations of gender, race and sexuality been renegotiated through contemporary media? From the controversial phenomena of Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' (1985) or Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing' (1989) to the banality Gwen Stefani's video 'Sweet Escape'(2007) the way we think about race, gender and sexuality in the media has been radically altered. Through film/ media viewing and class discussion, this course looks at contemporary media representation of disenfranchised communities. It will examine the impact of their efforts to own their images in both mainstream and alternate media sources.
Globalization, Heath and the Environment (RAC Students Only)
Instructor: Tom Bouchard, Steven Thurston Oliver + Multiple Guest Speakers
The University of Washington and the Puget Sound region have a variety of esteemed professors and other professionals engaged in research, teaching, and public service in the fields of globalization, health, and the environment. This seminar will give students the opportunity to hear several experts talk about their interests on topics such as global warming, global health epidemics, natural disasters, efforts to protect the marine environment, and environmental responsibility. In a small class setting, students will engage every other week in lively discussions, debates, and student presentations reflecting the issues and topics highlighted by the speakers. Students are expected to do short reading assignments each week, attend class, and participate in class discussions and activities.
Human Subjects: History, "Race," Medicine & Popular Culture
Instructor: Clarence Spigner, MPH, DrPH, Associate Professor, Dept of Health Services
The history of medical research and "race" is addressed through the lens of popular culture. The era of the Atlantic Slave Trade reflected as has been cinematically reflected in Amazing Grace (2006) to the ante-Bellum period seen in The Patriot (2000), as well as the Civil War in Glory (1989), and the post-Bellum depicted in Birth of a Nation (1915) are addressed to establish the dominance vis-a-vis subservient dynamic. The image of doctors, in gothic novels and films such as Frankenstein (1931), Island of Lost Souls (1932) and Island of Dr. Moreau (1977 and 1996) are examined in light of biological exploitation of "the other." Race and power dynamics, as in the real-life Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment of 1932 -1972 and depicted in the HBO film, Miss Evers Boys (1997) are addressed regarding human subjects. The 1930 Eugenic Movement inspired WWII Nazi doctors, leading to the current Office on Human Subjects and Institutional Review Boards. The Civil Rights & Black Power Movement (1954-1970) confronted medical inequality as in The Hospital (1971), but the film industry continues to promote a lone white protagonist as in Coma (1978) and Extreme Measures (1996), thus negating collective movements. Renewed fascination with genetics seen in the foreboding Gattaca (1997) and the reality of dominant pharmaceutical industries as in Constant Gardener (2005) suggest that "race" and the vulnerability remain a significant issue in research with human subjects.
Images in Children's Picture Books
Wednesdays, 9:30-10:20, Suzzallo 562
Instructors: Kathleen Collins and Laura Barrett
What social messages do picture books convey to the children and adults who read them? The combination of visual and verbal messages makes them a powerful tool for communicating society's visions and values to its youngest members. In this seminar students will explore ways in which the images in children's literature have presented class, gender, race, ethnicity, and other social constructs. We will pay special attention to books that have been banned, challenged, or otherwise proven controversial.
Puget Sounds - Documenting Music Cultures Close to Home
Tuesdays, 2:30-3:20, OUGL 220
Instructor: John Vallier
With this class we will be exploring music in the Puget Sound region. Students will be asked to focus on particular genres or music scenes represented in the region that interest them and then share their research with the class. All the research will inform a year long project the UW Libraries Media Center is conducting to document and collect music performed and produced in this region. More information about that project can be found at the Libraries website.
Queer 101: Exploring Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues
Instructor: Jennifer Self, Q Center Coordinator
This seminar will provide an introduction to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) issue from a broad, affirming, and inclusive GLBT perspective. We will examine the personal, political, legal questions, as well as take a look at GLBT experiences on college and university campuses.
