Freshman Seminars
Fall 2004

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 note that some of the seminars have a special section of English Composition reserved for students in the seminar.   All new freshmen will take an English Composition course, but in these cases, students will be in the same class for both their seminar and their English class.

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. Introduction to Language
B. Religion and Film Tu 1:30-4:10
C. Creative Writing TuTh 11:00-12:20 
D. Intermediate French--(3 years high school French required) MWF 11:15-12:10
E. Poverty and the Urban Environment TuTh 
F. Introduction to Religion and Contemporary Culture  TuTh 9:30- 10:50
G. Human Rights MW 1:20-2:50
H. The Psychology of Everyday Life MW 4:20-5:40

Click here to jump directly to the seminar selection form



A.  Introduction to Language

B.   Religion and Film

C. Creative Writing

350:305 TuTh 11:00-12:20
Instructor: Kathy Volk Miller
[with special section of English Composition reserved for students in this class -- TuTh 9:30-10:50]

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 of Intermediate French is directed exclusively to entering freshmen. 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. Poverty and the Urban Environment
 

F. Introduction to Religion and Contemporary Culture

840:108 TuTh 9:30 - 10:50
Instructor: Joanna Lightner
[with special section of English Composition reserved for students in this class -- TuTh 11:00-12:20]

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. Human Rights

Political Science 790:102  MonWed 1:20 - 2:50
Instructor:   Arthur Klinghoffer

This seminar will study the relationship between individual liberty and government authority, various violations of the rights of citizens, and the means available to prevent or prosecute human rights violations.   How do international agreements on human rights conflict with the principle of sovereignty, and is humanitarian intervention a practical solution to human rights problems?  Among the issues discussed will be genocide, crimes against humanity and rights pertaining to women, children, workers and indigenous peoples.
 
 

H. The Psychology of Everyday Life

830:100  MW 4:20-5:40
Instructor:  Dan Hart
[with special section of English Composition reserved for students in this class -- MW 1:20-2:40]

How can I achieve happiness?  What does it mean to be in love?  Why aren't people convinced by my arguments?  In the course, we'll examine these and other questions concerning psychology in everyday life.  The goal of the class is to explore the contributions of psychological research and psychological principles to issues of societal and personal concern.  This exploration will lead us into related disciplines--anthropology, sociology, and philosophy--that contribute to an appreciation of the complexity of the questions and their answers.
 
 

I.
 
 




Freshman Seminar Selection Form

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, 2003.   Just list the letter of each of your choices and then click the "submit" button.
 

   A:  Introduction to Language
   B.  Religion and Film
   C:  Creative Writing
   D:  Intermediate French
   E.  Poverty and the Urban Environment
   F.  Introduction to Religion and Contemporary Culture
   G.  Human Rights
   H. Psychology of Everyday Life
    I.
 

My first and second choices are: 

Optional comments: