First-Year Seminar at KU

The First-Year Seminar prepares students for the kind of academic work expected in college.  In a small-class setting, students work closely with their professors and peers to explore a particular topic in-depth and develop skills that are essential for success at the university. Skills include those in substantive reading, critical thinking, writing, speaking, ethical analysis and reasoning, active and collaborative learning, academic research, and the use of technology. Students also learn how to use university resources, including student support services, in their academic pursuits. The specific topic of the seminar varies with the academic passion and expertise of the instructor. Topics are accessible to all students with no prerequisites.  

The purpose of the First-Year Seminar is to assist new students in making a successful transition to Kutztown University by engaging them in a structured curriculum of academic and skills enhancement. This course aims to foster a sense of belonging, promote engagement in the curricular and co-curricular life of the university, encourage self-responsibility, and articulate to students the benefits of higher education and the expectations and values of the university. The course also seeks to help students develop and apply essential study skills, enhance critical thinking and communication, and explore interests, abilities, and values.

A list of all approved course topics and their descriptions is available here.