New Student Experience Seminars

This two-credit course is a text and film study focused on themes of social justice and "the other", as well as issues of race, class, intersectionality, and identity to name a few. We exist in a world culture rooted in the idea of "the other", which is the foundation for most of our trials and tribulations. Is it possible for “the other” not to exist? Should that be our goal? What are the positives and negatives of seeing ourselves as different from other people in all the ways we do? Using science fiction paired with critical dialogue about current events and social movements, and films exploring contemporary issues of race and social order, we will explore different perspectives, identities, and visionary ideas to help us understand ourselves and our world more deeply.
2 Credits

A system is a living structure, something designed over time that shapes our ideas, perspectives, and expectations with the weight of perceived authority. At its core, a system is a set of beliefs. It can be broken, interrupted, or redesigned by society, because its existence is based on collective agreement. However, systems are also about power, which makes changing them complex. In this course, we’ll explore society’s beliefs about race, gender, and identity through the systems that uphold them. We’ll study the nature of resistance as an intention to subvert, oppose, or change power relations between individuals and systems. We’ll examine historical and contemporary oppression, and the ideals of the resistance movements demanding change. This course will put a special emphasis on historical, contemporary and personal perspectives, inquiry questions and discussion, and research as a backdrop to students’ final project.
2 Credits

Students in this seminar will explore creative writing and experiment with creative practices that will support them as they begin their college experience. With a special emphasis on short form nonfiction, we will analyze exemplary creative works, practice the fundamentals of writing craft, and engage in generative writing exercises and revision strategies. We will consider how creative writing relates to other genres of college writing. What does creative writing do—for writers, for readers, for the world as it is now, and as we imagine it could be? Students will produce a portfolio of creative work, participate in a community of writers, and in the process further develop their voice and perspective.
2 Credits

Emersion in creative institutions and places of creative production are essential to informing a thriving student creative practice. In this seminar we will explore what is possible in creative industry by experiencing community cultural hubs, creative companies in tech and entertainment, and artists’ studios. Granting students a first-hand opportunity to engage creative place.
2 Credits

This seminar provides students with knowledge about essential financial concepts and practices. Students learn about resource management/budgeting, career planning, which is inclusive of employment basics, investing, and an understanding of what credit scores mean and how they are applicable to students' financial life. Students will be connected to personal resource providers in higher education who can further support them with common challenges that first-year students may experience. 
2 Credits

This seminar course is designed to support first year students in a) navigating academic culture, b) cultivating a sense of community and belonging, and c) appreciating multiple perspectives from diverse individuals and communities. Students will be introduced to higher education jargon and topics (using a social justice lens) that lead to both academic and non-academic excellence. Students will apply critical thinking and analysis via lectures, group discussions, self-reflection, guided self-assessments, and guest speakers. A capstone project serves as an opportunity for students to reflect on the academic knowledge and intellectual experiences learned in class by connecting concepts and course outcomes to other classes and life experiences. Active participation is highly encouraged.
2 Credits

This seminar provides students with knowledge about essential financial concepts and practices. Students learn about resource management/budgeting, career planning, which is inclusive of employment basics, investing, and an understanding of what credit scores mean and how they are applicable to students' financial life. Students will be connected to personal resource providers in higher education who can further support them with common challenges that first-year students may experience. 

This seminar is designed to help first generation students explore and understand the critical areas of focus for academic and personal well-being. We will develop an understanding of practical student life and academic skills, from the basics to the tips and resources that are most critical to student success. Students will be linked with College, University and personal resource providers that can support the unique challenges that first-generation students face. Students will be introduced to the distinct areas of study and professional practices that business has to offer. In this seminar we will meet and network with professionals and alumni who were also first generation students themselves.
2 Credits

This seminar provides students with knowledge about essential financial concepts and practices. Students learn about resource management/budgeting, career planning, which is inclusive of employment basics, investing, and an understanding of what credit scores mean and how they are applicable to students' financial life. Students will be connected to personal resource providers in higher education who can further support them with common challenges that first-year students may experience. 
2 Credits

Students in this seminar will explore creative writing and experiment with creative practices that will support them as they begin their college experience. With a special emphasis on short form nonfiction, we will analyze exemplary creative works, practice the fundamentals of writing craft, and engage in generative writing exercises and revision strategies. We will consider how creative writing relates to other genres of college writing. What does creative writing do—for writers, for readers, for the world as it is now, and as we imagine it could be? Students will produce a portfolio of creative work, participate in a community of writers, and in the process further develop their voice and perspective.
2 Credits

This seminar provides students with knowledge about essential financial concepts and practices. Students learn about resource management/budgeting, career planning, which is inclusive of employment basics, investing, and an understanding of what credit scores mean and how they are applicable to students' financial life. Students will be connected to personal resource providers in higher education who can further support them with common challenges that first-year students may experience. 
2 Credits

This seminar is designed to provide students with a practical working knowledge of essential financial concepts and practices. Topics such as resource management/budgeting, career planning including employment basics, investing and what credit scores mean and how they are applicable a student’s financial life. Students will be linked with College, University and personal resource providers that can support the unique challenges that first year students face.
2 Credits

This seminar course is designed to support first year students in a) navigating academic culture, b) cultivating a sense of community and belonging, and c) appreciating multiple perspectives from diverse individuals and communities. Students will be introduced to higher education jargon and topics (using a social justice lens) that lead to both academic and non-academic excellence. Students will apply critical thinking and analysis via lectures, group discussions, self-reflection, guided self-assessments, and guest speakers. A capstone project serves as an opportunity for students to reflect on the academic knowledge and intellectual experiences learned in class by connecting concepts and course outcomes to other classes and life experiences. Active participation is highly encouraged.
2 Credits

This section of SMNR 201 is designed to support active engagement and community-building through gaming and play. In this course, we will:

1. Develop academic literacy by researching issues around gaming and play in education.


2. Consider how gaming and play can create equitable and justice-centered learning spaces.


3. Build learning communities through gaming and play.


4. Investigate opportunities at Western and in Bellingham to learn through gaming and play.


5. Apply research and writing strategies to investigate a topic of interest related to the course themes.

Assignments will include reflections, class participation, an individual inquiry project, and a group presentation. Students will conduct academic research on an area of study related to the course, utilizing campus-based resources including Western Libraries, the Student Technology Center, and the Writing Center, among others. In addition to course content, students will build community within the class and explore our local communities (Western, Bellingham, Whatcom).

2 Credits