Freshman Seminars
Fall 2003

Welcome to all new Rutgers students!  As a first year student, you have an exclusive opportunity to enroll in any of the following seminars.   These are small classes specially designed for freshmen only.  All of them are standard 3-credit courses.

Please read the descriptions of these courses and submit your preferences on the attached form.   If you have any questions, send them to: Professor Stuart Charmé
                Director of Freshman Seminar Program
 
Seminar Titles and Times
A. Contemporary Moral Issues Tu Th 3:00 - 4:20 
B. Lincoln and the Emancipation MW 1:20-2:40 
C. Creative Writing TuTh 11:00-12:20 
D. Intermediate French--(3 years high school French required) MWF 10:10-11:05 
E. The Civil War TuTh 9:30 - 10:50 
F. Introduction to Religion and Contemporary Culture 
G. Human Rights
H. Gender and Religion MW 1:20-2:40 
I. The Psychology of Everyday Life

Click here to jump directly to the seminar selection form



A. Art Appreciation -- CLOSED

082:103 Tu Th 3:00 - 4:20
Instructor: Roberta Tarbell

Art Appreciation is a course that presents an overview of the great landmarks of art from classical Greece to the twentieth century. The course will be supplemented by museum trips.
 
 

B. Microeconomic Principles -- CLOSED

220:105 TuTh 11:00 - 12:20
Instructor: John Worrall

This course will examine the theory of consumer behavior, demand and supply, firm behavior and market structure, product and factor markets, and the role of information in markets. Outside readings and discussion will also focus on the history and development of some of the key ideas in Micro Economics. We shall write several short papers and quality writing will be stressed in the course. Students may not receive credit for both Microeconomic Principles and the Freshman Seminar in Micro Economics.
 
 

C. Creative Writing --CLOSED

350:305 TuTh 11:00-12:20
Instructor: Kathy Volk Miller

Creative Writing Freshman Seminar is an introduction to the writer's craft that surveys the genres of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. We will read published work, but we will spend the better of our time on our own writing. To develop independent learning, students will "find" work on the Internet, and bring it into the class for group discussion. The abundance of literature on the web, along with the individuality of students, ensures that this assignment is dynamic. To encourage students learn from one another, most of our work will be explored in small workshop groups.
 
 

D. Intermediate French

420:131 MWF 10:10-11:05
Instructor: Louise Horowitz

This section of the first semester Intermediate French is directed exclusively to entering freshman. Classroom time focuses on a comprehensive review of French grammar, while also supporting the active speaking, reading, and writing of the language. Short entertaining cultural readings will supplement the textbook and workbook. Regular homework, in a controlled amount, will permit the development of all skills and will be gone over in class. Considerable individual attention is assured, with the goal of ensuring every student's progress.


E. Intellectual Foundations of Chinese Culture

510:280 MW 1:20-2:40
Instructor: Xiao-bin Ji

Nowadays, people who are interested in China often talk about "traditional Chinese culture." What are the most important ideas in traditional Chinese culture? Where did these ideas come from? If you are interested in these questions, this course might be for you. In this course we will study the various religions and schools of philosophy that have been the most influential in China throughout the centuries and remain very influential today. Philosophical schools and religions such as Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and Buddhism will be studied in depth. Most of the reading for this course will consist of the writings of ancient Chinese thinkers in translation.
 
 

F. Introduction to Religion and Contemporary Culture- CLOSED

840:108 TuTh 9:30 - 10:50
Instructor: Joanna Lightner

An examination of the BIG QUESTIONS and the way our culture addresses them. If you're wondering about the meaning of life, come and hear what your classmates think, and discover the wide variety of answers offered by other religions and cultures.
 
 

G. Introduction to Religion and Contemporary Culture - CLOSED

840:108 MW 1:20-2:40
Instructor: John Wall

An examination of the possible significance of religion for contemporary life. Topics include contemporary criticisms of religion, Western and Eastern understandings of religious experience, the nature of religious ritual, belief systems in various major and minor contemporary religions, and select issues in ethics.
 
 

H. Approaches to Urban Studies--CLOSED

975:102 TuTh 1:30 - 2:50
Instructor: Jon Van Til

This seminar introduces students to the City-as a peak creation of human culture and a contemporary complex. Students will learn bring a variety of disciplinary perspectives to bear on understanding the City-including art, history, architecture, economics, political science, sociology, and anthropology. They will look at the great city of Philadelphia and the struggling city of Camden by means of personal visits and interaction with community leaders and activists. And, by means of a variety of media (especially reading and video), they will approach the many wonders and challenges of urban life. The seminar will involve students directly in urban observation and activity. Each student will present several papers to the group during the term and will thereby learn skills of active participation in the academic understanding of urban life.
 




Please submit the following form to indicate your first and second seminar choices (NOTE:  students accepted into the Honors College and the EOF program are not eligible for these classes):

Your Name:

Your Social Security #:

Your email address:

In the box below, please list your first and second choice for a Freshman Seminar in  Fall, 2002.   Just list the letter of each of your choices and then click the "submit" button.

   A: Art Appreciation CLOSED
   B. Microeconomic Principles  CLOSED
   C: Creative Writing CLOSED
   D: Intermediate French
   E. Intellectual Foundations of Chinese Culture
   F. Introduction to Religion and Contemporary Culture (TuTh section) CLOSED
   G. Introduction to Religion and Contemporary Culture (MW section) CLOSED
   H. Approaches to Urban Studies CLOSED

My first and second choices are: 

Optional comments: