What are Seminar Classes Like?

<p>For freshmen students</p>

<p>At my school they usually didn’t offer seminars to anyone below junior status. They were more discussion-based with little lecturing. They are therefore more interactive and you HAVE to keep up with your reading and assignments or you won’t look too good sitting there quiet because you have no idea what is being discussed. Do you know how large the class is? That can make a difference in how they approach teaching it. My seminars were always less than 20 students, but I went to a small LAC.</p>

<p>I’m in a First Year Seminar class right now. I like the concept of a seminar class, but I don’t feel like my professor is giving us enough credit. She kind of waters down the material, and all we do is writing. To be honest if the professor, and topic were different I would love the class.</p>

<p>This is the first or second year I think my school has offered a seminar class to freshman, or sophomores.</p>

<p>Freshman seminars are a big trend right now. They’re typically small, discussion oriented classes, often about interesting or interdisciplinary topics. They’re supposed to build “learning communities” and strengthen retention (i.e. you like the school and don’t transfer). I’d anticipate lots of participation opportunities, perhaps group work, the chance to get to know your classmates better than you would in a “regular” class.</p>

<p>I’m taking a freshman seminar class and basically its a lecture on an easy topic. It’s only pass/fail, no exams, hw takes like 30mins, meets once a week. I think theyre just an easy class so that if students are short one or two credits they dont have to take a hard 4-credit. Also it could help you explore other fields with very little risk to your gpa. Thats how it is for where I go but it may differ from college to college.</p>