What are the goals of First Year Studies courses?
First Year Studies courses aim to offer a wide variety of courses that draw on the disciplinary and interdisciplinary strengths of the various departments housed within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. All of the courses invite students in the first semester to relate their ideas and experiences within the new context of academic life. All First Year Studies courses draw on a broad array of pedagogic strategies (teaching philosophies) including, but not limited to those of critical thinking, written and oral communication, teamwork or group work, diversity / diversity of perspectives, and personal instructional attention. We also foster a sense of community, both within the classroom, as well as among all first year students at Rensselaer.
