First-Year Seminar for Students

FYPS 102AD: Plugging Into Politics, Alexandra Middlewood (Political Science)

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• We will look at the American political system, how we act in it, with explorations of the ideas of trust, voluntarism, and democracy as how people think about their government. 

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• We will look at ways cultures are depicted in popular media and how stereotypes may contrast with reality. 

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• We will analyze food and how food plays a role in different cultures.  This class also looks at food in literature, film, and art.

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• We will examine the different Latino subgroups and the experience of the Latinx community in the United States, with particular attention to the Midwest.

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• This class focuses on the basics of gender intersection with inequality from the standpoint of poverty.  We will discuss the connection of gender with poverty, and with race/ethnicity, sexuality, disability, privilege and power.

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• We will consider how imaginative literature might help inform us about a scientific and social topic like climate change, engaging us in debate about it and promoting an ethic of climate change awareness based on critical reflection and shared responsibility.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Through the use of the scientific method--which is often used in forensic science and criminal investigations—we will examine how to apply these elements in creative thinking and resourceful problem-solving skills. Students will also get to practice Criminology.

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• You will explore much of what WSU has to offer and document your experiences using photographs and words.  You will tell about your personal story, while learning about the helpful people, places, and policies for thriving in college.

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• The class focuses on critical reasoning, where we will learn and practice tools needed to evaluate weird and extraordinary claims.  We will look at how arguments work and how to reason about everyday arguments and unusual topics, like paranormal, miracle drugs, and conspiracy theories!

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• We will look at cases and current events to raise philosophical issues with constitutional law, tort law, and criminal law.

• Math and Natural Sciences
• We'll look at current environmental issues and controversies as well as envisioning what it would take to "build" a sustainable planet.

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• This class explores the “big questions” of creation, which we will look at through sacred stories, myths, and cultural traditions. The class explores human interaction with nature, and we will explore questions on life, death, nature, fears, and hopes.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• We will look at the diversity of families in America. You will be asked to think and talk about how the notion of family has played a role in your own life and formation, as well as reflect upon the literature and research regarding family and current debates and dilemmas.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• What is collective behavior?  We will look at conformity, crowd/group behavior, rumors, public opinion, propaganda crazes, fads, fashions, mass hysteria, riots, mobs, disaster behavior, social protests, social movements and social advocacy.  

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• We will look at the American political system, how we act in it, with explorations of the ideas of trust, voluntarism, and democracy as how people think about their government.  

• Math and Natural Sciences
• The work of the medical laboratory is often called the "science behind the medicine."  We will look at the role the medical laboratory plays in healthcare, who works in a laboratory, and how to interpret data.

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• Want to learn nonverbal theatre?  We will create conceptual statements, short plays and abstract movement art.  The class will focus on gesture, isolations, flexibility, strength, emotional expression, authentic acting and fundamental mime skills.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Examinations common superhero attributes and narratives, specifically in school or educational settings. Projects are related to personal development and preparation for ongoing learning and growth.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• What is race or ethnicity—what do those things even mean? Why does it matter today, and why do people get so upset?  We will engage with scholarship and popular debates on race, ethnicity, racism, and ethnocentrism, all in our modern lives.  And we’ll do it with a certain amount of joy and fun, promise.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Enroll in this FYS course to expand your use of creative thinking to solve problems and to nurture the creative being inside you. Have fun tapping your creative potential.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Learn through hands-on projects about design thinking to learn creative problem-solving skills.  You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team throughout the course and you will have the opportunity to build a working prototype.

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• Provides students with an opportunity to form a current music advocacy philosophy while developing leadership skills for a variety of music activities and scenarios.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• We will explore personal leadership and your role in your community and university. You will learn about your strengths, areas to develop, and work with others in projects to improve your immediate surroundings.

• Fine Arts and Humanities
• What makes us human?  This class will look at personal and fictional narratives about justice, anger, and identity.  

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Explore your own roots and the experiences that have shaped who you are today.  Engage with others who have different stories from your own and will examine how you can collaboratively make a difference locally and globally on issues that are important to you.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• We will examine the factors that influence the formation of one's "opinions" and the ways in which "facts" can be used to support them.  You will strengthen your ability to empathize with people who hold opinions different than your own and engage in substantive, informed and respectful discussions about these differences.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Where does food come from, how is it produced and by whom, and what does food mean to consumers?  We will look at industrialization of food, its distribution, and how privilege affects consumption.  We will look at research and popular culture.

• Math and Natural Sciences
• This class examines unique and peculiar infections, as well as how they impact society.  We will look at examples from history as well as current epidemics.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• We will look at how to find and interpret information, as well as how technology plays a part in how we create, share, and obtain information.