Freshman Seminar – FYEX 101
The purpose of these one-credit courses is to integrate you into the life and culture of Shepherd University and to prepare you with the foundations for academic success. The course addresses the core curriculum competencies of wellness, information literacy, critical thinking, lifelong learning, and experiential learning. A text and a copy of the Shepherd University common reading are required.
Interest Groups – FYEX 102
This one-credit course is centered on a common interest shared by a faculty or staff person and the students enrolled in the course (examples include career exploration, film & literature themes, and leadership). You will sign up for an interest group section of your choice; together you and the other students, your instructor and a Peer Educator will explore the interest as well as discuss survival skills that will help you move smoothly through your courses, the university system, and your new social life. The course addresses the core curriculum competencies of wellness, information literacy, critical thinking, lifelong learning, and experiential learning. A $10 fee is added to your tuition bill to cover supplies and/or activity costs. A copy of the Shepherd University common reading is required.
Learning Communities
Learning Communities provide you with an inter-disciplinary approach to learning. Subject matter is interrelated and reinforced in both courses, deepening your understanding and revealing the subject’s interconnectedness. Professors work collaboratively on the course requirements. In some cases, they team-teach and are involved in all aspects of the courses, while other times they work together outside of the classroom to link course material. Relevant field trips are often part of the learning community experience. Credits are awarded based on credits assigned to each course in the learning community. You must enroll in both of the linked courses.