Frequently Asked Questions for FYS


What are the learning outcomes of the First Year Seminars?

  • First Year Seminars are writing-intensive, topical courses that introduce students to academic thought and discourse. FYS courses address learning outcomes designed to prepare and orient students toward productive and fulfilling college careers. These outcomes include the development of written fluency, the ability to read texts purposefully, and the capacity to gather topic-appropriate research materials.

What does it mean to be "writing intensive?"

  • A writing intensive course contains substantial writing assignments with feedback and revisions. FYS courses must contain at least fifteen pages of evaluated student writing. Some faculty assign three five-page papers, but many use a variety of short and long assignments including annotated bibliographies, outlines, and shorter writing assignments mixed with longer papers to reach the necessary fifteen pages. Often, when counting all these writing activities, more than fifteen pages of student writing is assigned.

What support is available for faculty who want to teach a FYS course?

  • The FYS coordinators assist faculty in generating ideas for and planning FYS courses. Coordinators can provide non-evaluative feedback and suggestions as well as sample syllabi and assignments from successful FYS courses.
  • A Blackboard site with sample syllabi, rubrics, assignments and outcome documents is available to all faculty. Faculty may self-enroll in the course “VC302-001 First Year Seminar Support” or email the FYS coordinator. All current and past FYS faculty are automatically enrolled.
  • The FYS coordinator and other faculty coordinators, including the WAC coordinator, schedule workshops on assignment creation and course design related to the FYS and SYS courses. An annual May symposium encourages faculty to discuss these issues further.

What are the unique challenges and opportunities in teaching first year students?

  • First year students confront a number of challenges ranging from inexperience with college expectations and etiquette to lack of effective writing and critical reading skills. An explicit FYS goal is to assist students in developing the critical skills necessary for success in college. Many faculty teach FYS courses to help shape the academic careers of BSU students at an early stage. Faculty teaching First Year Seminars are able to introduce students to the world of academic discourse through small, topical classes that resonate with students.

What Core Curriculum requirements does First Year Seminar satisfy?

  • FYS satisfy the mandatory FYS Core Curriculum requirement, which must be completed within the first 24-credit hours. FYS may satisfy one of the distribution areas (Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts, Natural Science, or Social and Behavioral Science). If a FYS satisfies a distribution area, then it must address the outcomes of knowing and understanding the intellectual frameworks, and methodologies of that distribution area. The FYS does not have to satisfy a distribution area.

Who may offer a First Year Seminar?

  • Any department may offer a First Year Seminar. If the department is designated as normally offering courses in a given distribution area, approval beyond the departmental level for the course to count toward the distribution area is not required. However, if the course lies outside of a distribution area or is offered by a department that does not normally offer distribution-area courses, then that course does NOT automatically satisfy a Core Curriculum Distribution requirement. In order to receive approval for satisfying a distribution area, the course must be submitted to ACC for approval.

How do I offer a First Year Seminar?

  • As with all courses, FYS courses are offered through departments. If you are interested in teaching a FYS, the FYS coordinators are available to help develop your course, but your department chair and/or curriculum committee must approve the course and submit it to the Dean for the course to be listed on the course schedule. Again, consult with FYS coordinators about course pedagogy, but consult with your department about actually offering the course.

Last Modified: April 26, 2011