First-Year Seminars
Wesleyan’s First-Year Seminar courses give new students the chance to dive into exciting, interdisciplinary topics in small, discussion-based classes. You’ll feed your curiosity while advancing your research and writing skills and building community with other students and faculty. All first-year students are strongly encouraged to take a First-Year Seminar course.
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45+ First-Year Seminars offered annually
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15 Maximum class enrollment size
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2-3 Class meetings per week
Discover Your First-Year Seminar
For new students at Wesleyan, the First-Year Seminar course offering is like an intellectual box of chocolates: All are delicious. Which one will you choose?
Topics may include animal studies, the American political novel, the economics of climate change, contemporary issues in physics, the art and thought of Thoreau, the philosophy of love, and beyond. Typically, there are 45 courses offered each academic year.
The Benefits of Small Classes
Each seminar has a maximum of 15 students per class. The small, discussion-group format means students can delve deeply into a personal topic of interest while being introduced to the rigor of university-level critical thinking, analysis, and interpretation. All classes emphasize developing strong writing skills and the ability to present evidence as part of a scholarly argument. Peer mentoring and feedback set the tone for a collaborative, supportive learning culture, and some students may enroll in special “living and learning” seminars in which classmates live in the same residence hall.
Develop Writing and Research Skills
Faculty teaching first-year seminar courses will highlight the kind of research and writing associated with their respective disciplines. Assignments are at least 20 pages, and students are supported with both oral and written feedback. Faculty—sometimes assisted by writing tutors—work closely with individual students to develop, organize, compose and revise their writing.
Building Community
All students are highly encouraged to participate in one First-Year Seminar within their first year at Wesleyan. Invaluable bonds of friendship and close-knit faculty mentorship build a sense of mutually supportive community, while the emphasis on writing skills primes students for future academic and career success.
