View a list of current and past Freshman Seminars, and examples of an expanded course description . The UC Davis Freshman Seminar Program, in operation since 1988, gives first-year students the opportunity to study with faculty members in small groups, meeting in settings more informal that the ordinary classroom. The seminars focus on a current intellectual interest of the faculty member. All freshman seminars emphasize student participation, providing intense intellectual exchange among students and between student and teacher. The small size and nature of the seminar allows students to sharpen their critical reasoning.
Students learn how to interact with faculty members and fellow students as intellectual colleagues.
No fewer than sixteen contact hours during the quarter, with the expectation of ending in the eighth or ninth week of the quarter Meets in seminar room or non-traditional setting such as professor's home, late in the afternoon or in the evening Each section has an alphabetic designation, for example, FRS 001A Priority is given to students with fewer than 45 quarter units. After the second registration pass, students with more than 45 units will be admitted. Emphasis upon student participation in learning. Teaching Resources Center handles scheduling and book orders. Freshman Seminars are offered by faculty as a course overload, as an add-on to one's normal departmental teaching assignment.