Contact:
Kristi Yerian
Assistant Director for FYE
330-244-3278
kyerian1@kent.edu

Fall 2013 Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs)

Want to meet people in your major or who share an interest with you? Want a built-in support system and to get to know a faculty member well in your first semester?

Freshman Interest Groups pair an introductory major course or Kent Core requirement with US 10097: Destination Kent State FYE, taught by the same instructor or instructor team. If you're interested in a Freshman Interest Group, let your advisor know you’d like to register for a course pairing listed below:

SETTING THE STAGE FOR SUCCESS

Open to students based on academic placement.
Maybe academics weren’t your first priority in high school. Maybe you didn’t take rigorous courses before you came to college. Or maybe you’ve been away from the classroom for a while. Whatever the reason for your being a part of this FIG, you will gain experience and knowledge needed to build a foundation on which you can base a successful college career. Take courses with faculty committed to together helping you gain or refresh the skills essential for academic achievement.

Instructors: Belinda Manard & Charles Baker

CRN    SUBJ    CRSE    TITLE    DAYS    TIMES   
14096    ENG    01001    Intro Col Writing Stretch
TR    12:30-1:45   
21587    US    00003    Reading Strategies
TR    9:30-10:45   
20586    US    10097    Destination Kent State FYE
TR    11-11:50   
20937    US    10095    Swift-Kick Study Skills
TR    11-11:50   
Note: US 10097 meets the first half of the semester, US 10095 meets the second half of the semester.

PSYCHOLOGY IN EVERYDAY LIFE

Open to all students. Strongly recommended for psychology majors.
Many students take “Psych” as one of their first courses in college. This FIG is designed for students currently enrolled in General Psychology and will expand on topics that may be introduced in that course. Those enrolled will have some input into what topics will be covered in addition to those typically associated with FYE courses. Examples include brain-behavior relationships; personal memories and false memory syndrome; self and other perception; romantic relationships; animal language; disorders such as depression, anxiety, and alcohol/drug abuse; and cell phones and driving. The common theme of the mini-topics is that psychology -- the scientific study of behavior -- has something to say about many aspects of one’s life.

Instructor: Brad Shepherd

CRN    SUBJ    CRSE    TITLE    DAYS    TIMES   
18410    PSYC    11762    General Psychology
MW    12-1:15   
20603    US    10097    Destination Kent State FYE
MW    11-11:50   

INTERPRETING LIFE: THE STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES

Open to all students, but especially those interested in the way we use language to interpret the world. Strongly recommended for ENG, JMC and COMM majors.
Two guiding assumptions of the course are that: 1.) the “world” we see is fundamentally related to the stories we believe about it; and 2.) we are each the protagonists of our own individual stories. The course applies readings on interpretation to symbols, stories, fairy tales and myths (and some of their film adaptations). Students will apply what we learn to both the course readings and those they choose on their own. All the material studied will focus on humans struggling with and making decisions, so the course will fit well with the FYE emphasis on self-exploration and identifying personal preferences and strengths. Students should emerge with a better understanding of their own stories as a part of the larger human story, as well as clearer ideas on how they can contribute positively to the world. 

Instructor: Keith Lloyd

CRN    SUBJ    CRSE    TITLE    DAYS    TIMES   
14262    ENG    11011    College Writing I
MW    2-3:15   
20598    US    10097    Destination Kent State FYE
MW    3:30-4:20   

BECOMING A TEACHER

Open to education majors only.
What does it mean to be a teacher in the 21st century? We have all been students but what goes into becoming a teacher? What goes on “behind the scenes?” What does a teacher have to know and be able to do? This FlashTopic combined with Education in a Democratic Society will help you understand the “why” of education in this country. You will learn about the history and the issues that have and continue to have great influence on teaching and learning. You will be in a cohort with friends and colleagues that will be a part of your journey into the classroom. “Teaching is the profession that starts all the others…”

Instructor: Sue Kelewae

CRN    SUBJ    CRSE    TITLE    DAYS    TIMES   
13750    CULT    29535    Education in a Dem Society
MWF    11-11:50   
20580    US    10097    Destination Kent State FYE
MW    12-12:50