Liberal Arts Seminar

The academic component of The First Year Program is the Liberal Arts Seminar, a joint classroom and advising concept unique among first-year programs. Previously existing courses in the Simpson curriculum were redesigned to focus on the needs of first-year students. A wide array of course offerings is organized to heighten student appreciation for a liberal arts education and to strengthen critical thinking, writing and speaking. All these seminars are small in size – no more than 18 first-year students each – and all are taught by the students’ faculty advisers. Each course meets one additional time a week (Thursdays from 1-1:50) and is designated to carry an additional academic credit. Imbued throughout all the seminars are significant orientation components, which help students familiarize themselves with the campus, its resources, and – perhaps most importantly – its people.

Faculty Expectations

Faculty teaching LAS will meet at least three times during the Spring semester prior to teaching an LAS. Additional meetings during the subsequent Fall allow faculty to share their experiences and to support each other as everyone works to meet the needs of the first year students. In addition to fulfilling the usual requirements for the course that is being taught in the LAS format, faculty should also seek to achieve the specific goals of LAS.