The First Year Seminar allows you to become a member of your new community in a dynamic
environment and to experience intellectual life at the university level. Taught by
professors with a passion for the subject and a passion for teaching, these courses
are designed to encourage exploration of new ideas, examine a range of academic topics,
challenge you to set high goals for your academic career, and promote a lifelong love
of learning. First Year Seminars count as a core Liberal Studies requirement for all
degree programs.
Honor’s Credit
Many seminars can be offered for Honor’s credit with an individual contract. Please
talk to your advisor and instructor if you want to pursue this option.
Learning Communities
For seminar choices connected to Learning Communities (LC), see the section below.
Please talk to your advisor if you want to enroll in a LC.
First-Year Seminars: Fall 2013
CRN SUBJECT COURSE SECTION
ART 191 - Integral Arts
80925 ART 191 01
For new first year students only, this course will explore the integral nature of
the arts: how we live, record our life and world, and imagine our future. Whether
we paint, sculpt, act, sing, dance, or write, we have something to share. Often,
many or even all of the art forms work in concert to share their vision. This course
is arts intensive and is strongly recommended for those with an interest in the arts.
As students examine the intersections of art to art and arts to life, this course
will bring theory to life through experience and engaged collaboration. This course
is part of a triad that includes THEA 191 and MUS 191. All three sections collaborate
as a partnership to provide a rich arts experience as students and instructors from
all three sections interact in a dynamic exchange of energy! This seminar is designed
for majors in the College of Fine & Performing Arts.
BIOL 192 - Plant Diversity
81451 BIOL 192 01
81464 BIOL 192 30 - LAB
Would you like to learn more about how plants grow, flower, and fruit so that you
can grow your own plants successfully? Have you ever wished you could identify the
plants around you and know their nutritive, medicinal and other values? Have you ever
wondered where the plants that are used to produce coffee, tea, beer, wine, aspirin,
codeine, marijuana, and chocolate grow naturally, as well as how they are harvested
and processed into the foods, drinks, and drugs that have changed human history forever?
If so, Plant Diversity is the first-year seminar for you! Students in Plant Diversity
rarely sit still: students are often outside, in the lab, or producing their own plant
products. This course can be challenging because a lot of information is covered
in one semester; however, for those students with an interest in plants or the natural
world, the knowledge and experience gained is worth the effort.
COMM 190 - A User’s Guide to the Mass Media
81135 COMM 190 01
81134 COMM 190 02
An increasing number of media streams vie for your attention every day. But the messages
may not always be as simple as they seem. Learn to read between the lines and recognize
the nuance and subtext of all media. Take a look behind the curtain to see how diverse
motives, agendas and practices affect the media you consume. And see how that same
media responds and reacts to pressures and trends from you, the consumer. Media and
culture are bound together in an elaborate dance. This course will help you understand
that dance and make you a smarter consumer of media.
CIS 195 - Information Society at Work
80034 CIS 195 01
Driven by the technology that is making the news this semester, students will explore
the changes information technology has made in their lives and community, and learn
how computer culture affects their work, study, family, and play though a hands-on
technology approach. Using presentations on current IT topics, students are highly
encouraged to debate and discuss the ethical problems of technology advancement. We
will also discuss some aspects of business and what part CIS plays in business, as
well as what defines the College of Business and how it fits into the university.
Discussion topics will include: Why do we call it the information age?; Advancements
in the auto industry; How has IT changed the music industry?; Robotics and what part
they are playing in our lives; The digital divide; Wireless Technologies; Social Networking;
Cloud Computing; Distance Education; The Power of Information; GPS; RFID; and Google.
Students will take a hands-on approach with various technologies including: Webpage
Development - Learn how to upload and save files to the server; Use Google docs to
upload and work on files in teams; Use some of the current technologies that are available
for free - which will help students throughout the rest of their college career.
CJ 190 - Controversies in Criminal Justice
80170 CJ 190 01
Criminal Justice touches our lives each day in subtle and not so subtle ways. You
do not have to be a crime victim to be impacted by the criminal system. From traffic
stops to the funding of local, county, state, and federal criminal justice policy
initiatives through tax revenue, our system of law and justice, like politics, is
inescapable. Because of this, it is important for everyone to have a basic understanding
of some of the predominant issues affecting the criminal justice process in the United
States. Since much crime is now global in nature, true understanding sometimes forces
us to look beyond our borders in our attempt to fully analyze many justice problems
and solutions. This course is designed to look at some of these domestic and international
crime issues. There is no presumption of prior knowledge about the system. We will
start fresh with each issue and, after building a background on each respective topic,
have ample time for discussion as we look at the significance and implications of
what we have learned.
CS 191 - How Does Software Work?
82595 CS 191 01
82596 CS 191 02
How can the ''red-eye'' due to the flash of a camera be removed from a photograph?
How are images combined or blurred? How can you cause a sound to play backward or
splice two sounds together? You will learn to write computer programs that do all
of these and much more. The course will culminate in your presenting a piece of digital
media (image or sound) that you will have created by writing a computer program. Here
are links to galleries of images http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/mediaComp-teach/28 and sounds http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/mediaComp-teach/30 that students have made using the approach we are going to use in this course. The
ability to write software is a powerful tool that can be used for good or bad. Consequently,
we will also reflect on the implications of software on society. For example, what
restrictions on privacy are needed for safety from malicious software? Is initiating
cyberwarfare ever justifiable? Are software patents encouraging innovation or not?
EDCI 191 - Education, Schools, and Society
81114 EDCI 191 02
This course offers an interdisciplinary examination of the ways in which public policy
debates about schooling reflect ideological differences in American society. During
our time together this semester, we will look at what “society” means and its influence
on schools and education. This will include the importance of evaluating the choices
we’ve made so far in our lives, especially with regards to our own judgments. Through
this experience, we will practice thinking critically, through reading, writing and
discussion, and consider options for the possibility of teaching as a career.
ENGR 190 - Technology Systems: How Things Work
82246 ENGR 190 02
ENGR 190 is an introductory engineering course for non-engineering majors. This course
provides an in-depth view of the engineering and technology that we rely on every
day in every aspect of our modern life. Whether it is the digital SLR camera that
takes breathtaking pictures of the Great Smoky Mountains in autumn, the Hubble Telescope
offering views of the deepest portions of the universe, using Twitter, Skype, or smart
phones to connecting you instantaneously to your family and friends anywhere in the
world, the hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) that help you find your way when
lost on a deep mountain trail, or the pacemaker that save people’s lives, these innovative
engineering advancements have become an integral part of our culture. Together, we
will investigate where these technologies came from, how they work, and where they
might take us in the future. The course will also incorporate four hands-on projects
ranging from making images from Hubble Telescope data of the deep universe to building
and testing a medieval Trebuchet. Advanced mathematics will not be required for this
course. The challenging modern topics will be presented conceptually and only basic
math (some trigonometry and simple algebra) will be needed to complete the projects.
The focus will be on conceptual understanding, proportional reasoning, estimating,
and graphical interpretation. Verbal and written communication of scientific ideas
will be emphasized throughout the course.
ENGR 199 - Introduction to Engineering Practice and Principles
81932 ENGR 199 01
81938 ENGR 199 02
81935 ENGR 199 30 - LAB
82307 ENGR 199 31 - LAB
81941 ENGR 199 70 - LAB
82308 ENGR 199 71- LAB
Introduction to the engineering disciplines, curriculum, personal and professional
development, teamwork, project planning, communication skills, and conceptual design
engineering. This is a required class for all students considering majors in engineering
or engineering technology.
ENT 195 - Social Entrepreneurship: Innovative Solutions
80979 ENT 195 01
80984 ENT 195 02
82576 ENT 195 03
This course will introduce students to the concept of social entrepreneurship as a
mechanism for individuals to develop innovative solutions to society’s most pressing
problems. Whether it's using football (soccer) to keep children around the world out
of gangs, saving old growth forests by printing Harry Potter on recycled paper or
saving or creating a new type of bank to address poverty in India, social entrepreneurs
use their drive and passion to combat problems governments and industry have failed
to solve (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avzzrpx7mL8). This course is designed to help students explore their ability to create social
change by developing an organization that is self-sustaining, delivering value and
doing good. In this course, students will learn by doing. They will develop an initial,
simplified plan for a new venture to address a significant social issue
ENVH 190 - From Black Death to Bioterrorism
82418 ENVH 190 01
82419 ENVH 190 02
This course uses current events to examine basic public and environmental health concepts
as they apply to the average U.S. citizen; critical evaluation of various public health
components such as environmental disease agents, radiation, chemical exposures, biological
hazards (including potential bioterrorism agents), noise, air, water, and soil pollutants,
and food safety; and, an assessment of the various ways that the public can be protected.
FIN 195 - You and Your Money
82203 FIN 195 01
Do you want to learn how to manage your money? Then this is the course for you.
With good money management skills you will be able to budget your money each month,
reduce expenses, set financial goals and control your debt. You will learn the good
and bad of credit cards and how to establish a strong credit score. This course will
also introduce you to topics about insurance, investing and making large purchases
such as a car or house. Having a sound grasp of money management will make your college
experience much more enjoyable as well as help you in the years beyond college when
you will be faced with many important financial decisions. 
LAW 195 - Contemporary Legal Issues
80111 LAW 195 01
The law is everywhere – on TV and in movies, in politics and current events, and in
the fine print on everything from credit card receipts to websites. Every day the
law impacts our individual lives and guides our conduct and decision making in our
roles at school, in business, and in the community. In Law 195, emphasis is placed
on exploring the legal issues of today, from understanding the right to privacy in
a social media world to understanding how private legal organizations and alternative
dispute resolution methods are supplanting more traditional legal systems to meet
the needs of the global economy. Hands on activities will provide insights as to the
development of legal systems and institutions, the application of law to real-world
situations and debate and discussion of contemporary legal issues.
JPN 190 - Japanese Pop Culture
81222 JPN 190 01
The class will introduce some aspects of Japanese popular culture through following
topics; Martial arts, Cuisine and Welcome to Japanese 190, one of WCU’s First -Year
Seminars. The topic of this course is Japanese Pop Culture, which has been tremendously
affecting youth culture in the U.S. Since this is an introductory survey course, no
previous knowledge of Japan or Japanese Pop Culture is needed. What is needed, however,
is curiosity, a willingness to read with a KEEN eye for details, and an eagerness
to share your opinion with others in class. Our objective is to grasp and make sense
of the complicated picture of “Japanese Pop Culture in the U.S.” We also want to explore
the many sub-genres of Japanese Pop Culture by covering all possible aspects of Japanese
Society (The culture of Family, School, Work, Technology, Religion, etc).
MKT 195 - Facebook Generation: Marketing
81803 MKT 195 01
81805 MKT 195 02
81811 MKT 195 03
Do you really want to be a Facebook "friend" with Wal-Mart? Would you actually read
updates from Coca-Cola in your Twitter feed? Few would argue that social networks
have generated a tidal wave of change in the way people communicate and get information.
As a result, companies are often left bewildered, anxious and just plain frustrated
as they deal with new approaches toward marketing, advertising and consumer behavior.
Oddly enough, insight into handling these changes is starting to emerge from an unexpected
place -- ancient history -- and a possible link between the age-old process of "friending"
in tribal societies and its budding equivalent in latest and greatest cutting edge
communication networks. This course will explore this exciting idea of linkages between
human communications in past and present, bringing together ideas and activities from
several camps of thought, including media theory, anthropology, communication studies
and marketing. Through this multi-colored lens, this seminar intends to shed light
on why we typically avoid spam on our Facebook Wall, but at the same time are willing
to embrace online relationships with some brands and companies.
MUS 191 - Integral Arts
82105 MUS 191 01
For new first year students only, this course will explore the integral nature of
the arts: how we live, record our life and world, and imagine our future. Whether
we paint, sculpt, act, sing, dance, or write, we have something to share. Often,
many or even all of the art forms work in concert to share their vision. This course
is arts intensive and is strongly recommended for those with an interest in the arts.
As students examine the intersections of art to art and arts to life, this course
will bring theory to life through experience and engaged collaboration. This course
is part of a triad that includes THEA 191 and ART 191. All three sections collaborate
as a partnership to provide a rich arts experience as students and instructors from
all three sections interact in a dynamic exchange of energy! This seminar is designed
for majors in the College of Fine & Performing Arts.
PSC 190 - Freshman Seminar - Active Citizenship
80108 PSC 190 01
80109 PSC 190 02
Examples of political activism and application of successful principles to enhance
the quality of life in the WCU community.
THEA 191 - Integral Arts
82242 THEA 191 01
For new first year students only, this course will explore the integral nature of
the arts: how we live, record our life and world, and imagine our future. Whether
we paint, sculpt, act, sing, dance, or write, we have something to share. Often,
many or even all of the art forms work in concert to share their vision. This course
is arts intensive and is strongly recommended for those with an interest in the arts.
As students examine the intersections of art to art and arts to life, this course
will bring theory to life through experience and engaged collaboration. This course
is part of a triad that includes ART191 and MUS 191. All three sections collaborate
as a partnership to provide a rich arts experience as students and instructors from
all three sections interact in a dynamic exchange of energy! This seminar is designed
for majors in the College of Fine & Performing Arts.
Honors First-Year Seminars: Fall 2013
ENGL 190 - First-Year Seminar in Literature - HON
80898 ENGL 19101
This course will examine reading and writing about literature, with an emphasis on
human experience and values.
ENGL 191 - First-Year Seminar in Creative Writing - HON
81033 ENGL 191 01
What is creativity? Does it involve inspiration or experimentation or both? Does
the Muse have to land on your shoulder for you to be creative? Can a person increase
his or her creative potential? This first-year seminar will explore these and other
questions by uncovering the writing process. You will write in a variety of genres,
including fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, and you will read masterworks
from a variety of authors. By practicing with the many tools and devices that successful
writers rely on, you will learn how to enhance your creativity and develop your unique
writer’s voice.
Learning Community First-Year Seminars: Fall 2013
In order to be a part of a learning community, please complete this application. Please click this link to start your application.
EDCI 191 - Teachers, Schools, 
and Society - LLC
81115 EDCI 191 01
81116 EDCI 191 03
82201 EDCI 191 04
This seminar is designed to encourage exploration into how education transforms the
world that we see and how a limited worldview impacts our thinking. As a community
of learners, we will study the growth and development of the learner, gain insight
into the nature of teaching, and examine the critical issues facing education in America
today. We will read articles, excerpts from books and watch films about education,
teaching and learning that will promote critical thinking and scholarly discussion
about who we are and how our education helps us refine our definitions of self. In
addition, this course provides a field experience opportunity for students to be actively
engaged with Pk-12 pupils in the local schools. Students enrolled in this seminar
will be in the Whee Teach Living-Learning Community (LLC). Permission of Instructor
– limited to students in the LLC. For more information on this LLC, please visit here.
ENT 195 - Social Entrepreneurship: Innovative Solutions - LC
xxxxx ENT 195 03
This course will introduce students to the concept of social entrepreneurship as a
mechanism for individuals to develop innovative solutions to society's most pressing
problems. Whether it's using football (soccer) to keep children around the world out
of gangs, saving old growth forests by printing Harry Potter on recycled paper or
saving or creating a new type of bank to address poverty in India, social entrepreneurs
use their drive and passion to combat problems governments and industry have failed
to solve (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avzzrpx7mL8). This course is designed to help students explore their ability to create social
change by developing an organization that is self-sustaining, delivering value and
doing good. In this course, students will learn by doing. They will develop an initial,
simplified plan for a new venture to address a significant social issue. Permission
of Instructor – limited to students in the Ripple Effect LC. For more information
on this LC, please visit this page.
PSY 190 - Freshman Seminar - The Psychology of Well-Being - LC
81160 PSY 190 01
The name of our seminar comes from the term, "flourishing," which psychologist Jonathan
Haidt uses for what we also refer to as fulfillment, well-being or happiness. In our
seminar we will look at the research in positive psychology and in social psychology
about both the external conditions of life and the conditions of human growth and
development that increase the likelihood that a person will flourish. Our seminar
is not a "how to" course for achieving happiness, but an opportunity to study how
scholars struggle to define and study happiness from a variety of perspectives, both
recent and ancient. Topics include reciprocity, love, virtue, empathy, friendship,
why we find fault in others, and how we make up our minds and change our minds. Our
primary text is Jonathan Haidt's book, The Happiness Hypothesis: (http://www.perseusbooksgroup.com/basic/book_detail.jsp?isbn=0465028020). Permission of Instructor – limited to students in the Flourishing LC. For more
information on this LC, please visit this page.