First-Year Seminar Program

Each entering first-year student must register for a First-Year Seminar. The seminar provides students with an introduction to college and a sense of community by placing them in small classes, 16-18 students, that are for first-year students only. Each seminar, while focusing on a topic unique to that seminar, concentrates on developing the skills of careful reading, critical thinking, group discussion, and writing that are basic to college level study, regardless of one's area of interest.  

What should you expect from your First-Year Seminar?

• Undertaking projects and assignments that involve critical thinking in more than one area of knowledge.
• Practicing important skills of discussion, careful reading, and clear writing in class discussions, small group work, and assignments.
• Being actively involved in planning your future at Hamline and beyond with your FYSEM instructor, who is also your academic advisor.
• Working as a team member with your peers in your seminar, as well as with others from other seminars. 

In addition to the traditional first-year seminar, Hamline offers Writing Intensive Seminars as well as Study Abroad Seminars.  Writing Intensive First-Year Seminars are designed to integrate writing skills and practices into the seminar.  Students who register for a Writing Intensive seminar do not register for Eng 1110. If you successfully demonstrate all first-year writing competencies through your participation in the First-Year Seminar, then you will have satisfied your first-year writing requirement for the Hamline Plan.  Study Abroad Seminars require students to participate in the J-term study abroad portion of the course.  Students in this course will receive additional credit for the J-term portion of the course.  An additional fee does apply.

Presley Martin
Interim Assistant Dean of the College