Courses

The First Year Seminars are a group of courses that are part of the First Year Program at UW-Green Bay. The seminars are designed to provide students with an educational experience characterized by dynamic learning and interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. They provide high quality interactions with a professor and classmates in a small size seminar environment. The courses also encourage students to connect with the campus community through a variety of activities. Each seminar fulfills a General Education requirement dependent upon the area in which it is offered. They also fulfill a lower level writing emphasis requirement.

Although freshman seminars vary in topics, all have common elements. They are:

1. To promote engagement and to facilitate a positive adjustment to college. Students have the opportunity to connect with their faculty, other students, campus resources, and the community.
2. To introduce students to a problem-focused, interdisciplinary education. Students will address problems from multiple perspectives.
3. To promote the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Students will begin to develop the ability to analyze data/information from a critical perspective.
4. To develop communication skills. The courses emphasize effective communication including writing, speaking, and the ability to work in a small group environment.
5. To promote information literacy. The seminars introduce the idea of information literacy in the context of writing and speaking assignments so that students have a better understanding of how information is collected, how to assess the quality of the information and its sources, and how to use information effectively.

 

Select First Year Seminars – Fall 2012

ART 198: Exploring Art, Culture, and Ideas (MW 12:45PM - 2:05 PM; Carol Emmons)

Art tells the stories of human experience. These stories are of many types: romances, mysteries, gospels, autobiographies, fantasies. In this course, we’ll experiment with different ways of looking at art and reading its stories. This will include considering the larger context of art as it intersects with other disciplines, as well as each student’s own interpretations. We’ll focus on the art of the present, making use of art on campus and in the community, films, visiting artists, and hands-on experiences. (FA)

AVD 198: Exploring the Jazz Loft (MWF 10:35AM – 11:30AM; Adam Gaines)

This course is a First Year Seminar course designed to study the photographs and tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 1957 to 1965 in New York City. Smith's huge archive of materials from this transitional time in U.S. history is used as a keystone in discussions of such diverse topics as jazz history, Civil Rights, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and of the nature of artists and their reactions to their surroundings. (FA)

AVD 198: Creativity, Innovation, & Vision (TR 11:00AM – 12:20PM; Ellen Rosewall, Jennifer Mokren, and Michelle McQuade-Dewhirst)

The UWGB Common Theme for this academic year is “Creativity, Innovation and Vision.” What does this mean for a student at UWGB? What is creative thinking? How do innovators think of new ideas? In this course, we will explore creativity as a practice, examine how innovators change the world, and imagine how as students you can impact your own education and the university. (FA)

COMM SCI 198: Inter-DISNEY-plinarity (MW 12:45PM - 2:05PM; Scott Furlong and Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges)

This course will examine the world of Disney through an interdisciplinary lens. We will examine Disney through an interdisciplinary context that will include many fields: government/politics, planning, policy analysis, economics, race/ethnicity, gender and culture, psychology, and many more. This course will help you develop not only a fuller appreciation for Disney, but perhaps more importantly show the power of interdisciplinary thinking (SS2)

DJS 198: Reading the Times (MW 2:15PM - 3:35PM; Harvey Kaye)

Through daily readings of and discussions about the latest news stories and opinion columns in the New York Times, students will become knowledgeable about and familiar with current national and international affairs and the public debates that address those events and developments. (SS1)

EDU 198: Schools, Sex and Rock & Roll: A Country’s Cultural Impact on Its Educational System (TR 12:30PM - 1:50PM; Susan Cooper)

This seminar will begin with an examination of changes in the education system in the United States and a linking of those changes with major cultural events of the time. We will then consider current times in the US and the state of education as it stands today. We will complete this course by looking at the cultures and education systems of other countries around the world. (WC)

ENV SCI 198: The Science of Monsters (TR 3:30PM – 4:50PM; Steve Meyer)

This course studies the monsters of myth, legend, and reality. Literature, film, documentaries, folklore, history, and pop culture are used to trace the origins of monsters. We will examine the influence of science on the creation of monsters, discuss the ethics of scientists with a “God complex”; consider the possibility that real monsters exist based on scientific evidence, and examine the physiological response of humans to horror, fear, and death. (NPS2)

HISTORY 207: Introduction to African-American History (TR 11:00AM - 12:20PM; Vince Lowery)

Survey of black people's experience in America, beginning with African culture through the development of Afro-American culture and institutions; includes political, social, economic and cultural history. (Eth Stud)

HUM BIOL 198: Science in Films (MW 12:45PM - 2:05PM; Donna Ritch)

Films with scientific elements have had a huge impact on science and society. This course will explore how science and scientists are portrayed in these films and how the films have shaped popular perceptions of science and scientists, the world, and the universe. The course will also help students to gain an understanding of the interplay of science, science fiction, and society. (HB2)

HUM DEV 198: Who Made You So Smart? The Quest for Understanding, Influencing and Measuring Intelligence (MW 12:45PM - 2:05PM; Ilene Cupit)

An exploration of what how our society defines, measures and values intelligence. Topics include the history of the IQ test, the nature-nurture debate in terms of IQ, and the diversity of intelligence. (SS1)

HUM DEV 198: Children's TV: More than ABC’s and 123’s (MW 12:45PM – 2:05 PM; Jennifer Lanter)

This course is a first year seminar course that will introduce students to the impact television has on the developing child. A large part of the course will be devoted to discussion of Sesame Street, the goal of answering questions such as: (1) How is research on education content integrated into the production of the show?, (2) How has this show been integrated into other cultures?, (3) What are methodological issues in conducting media-based research with young children?, and (4) What is the longitudinal impact of children viewing educational versus non-educational television? As each topic is introduced through the use of the text “G” is for Growing, additional readings and viewings of past and current television shows will be required to extend the discussion beyond Sesame Street. In general, students will be introduced to the world of research through a topic of study – children’s television – with which student shave likely had much experience. (SS2)

HUM STUD 198: The Bible and America (MWF 9:30AM – 10:25AM; Brian Sutton)

An introduction to academic study of the Bible and an examination of the Bible’s influence on American political, cultural, psychological and ethical life, both historically and currently. (HS3)

MUSIC 198: Landmarks of Western Music: Baroque to the Present (MWF 2:15PM – 3:10PM; David Severtson)

This course examines 10 major works of Western music from the Baroque to the present. Students will learn and discuss how these pieces “work” musically, using basic musical terminology and analytic tools. Students will also explore how these pieces resonate within a particular historical and cultural context, as well as how they communicate meaning to listeners today. All works discussed in this class either have a text or a programmatic basis, making them accessible for students of all backgrounds. (FA)

PEA/POL SCI 198: Globalization, Sustainability, and Justice (TR 2:00PM-3:20PM; Dallas Blaney)

Globalization is generally conceived as the widening, deepening, and speeding up of worldwide political, economic, and other social processes. This much has been widely documented and is therefore generally accepted. It seems then that the debate over globalization has much more to do with issues of quality than quantity: over the course of your life globalization may unfold in ways that are more or less equitable, more or less sustainable, more or less humanitarian. To determine which outcome is most likely, this course will draw on books, films, and a variety of primary source material to explore recent trends in globalization, identify emerging problems, and evaluate proposed solutions.

PU EN AF 198: Introduction to Leadership (M 5:15PM – 8:15PM; Lisa Tetzloff)

This course explores leadership and followership – definitions, concepts, theories, styles, and skills – and provides a framework for further study and practice across disciplines and involvements. (SS2)

PU EN AF 102: Environment and Society (MWF 11:40AM – 12:35 PM; Laurel Phoenix)

An examination of the relationship between humans and the biophysical environment at local, national, and global levels. Emphasis is given to the impact of personal attitudes, cultural beliefs, economics, politics, technology and available resources on environmental problems and solutions. (SS2)

PSYCH 198: Gods, Ghosts, and Goblins (TR 12:30PM – 1:50PM; Regan Gurung)

Why do we believe what we do? We will take a social science perspective to explore the underlying reasons as to why humans believe the things they do (and why they do not believe in other things). We will explore the roots of religion, discuss the psychological benefits to believing and the perils of not, and examine some fascinating objects of belief ranging from paranormal activity to extraterrestrial life. (SS2)

THEATRE 198: Purpose, Production, & Power (MW 2:15PM – 3:35PM; Jeff Entwistle)

This course will examine the Purpose of Theatre as pertains to the audience, it will examine the complexity of the interdisciplinary structure of theatrical production, and most importantly it will examine the power of theatre and its potential to affect our contemporary audience and culture. (FA)

URS 198: Animals and Society (M 2:15PM – 5:05PM; Karen Dalke)

This course focuses on the complex relations between humans and animals. How do we determine, which animals are wild, food, or pets? What impact do these interactions have on the social, economic, and political life of a culture? The topics covered in this class help explore our ongoing relationship with animals as pets, food sources, and wildlife and how they change in an era bombarded with concerns about environmental degradation and economic fluctuations. This course requires an interdisciplinary perspective and an emphasis on critical thinking. (SS1)