First Year Learning Community

Course Selection

Please select your top two choices for Connected Course pairings. More information regarding each pairing (including the General Education Curriculum Requirements they satisfy) can be found on our Connected Course Options site.

First Choice for Connected Courses Pairing

WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing
INT 100 - Reflect, Connect, Engage

This pair of courses explores the life of the mind while encouraging students to exercise their own voices and play proactive roles in their education. In addition to reflection, the readings and course content inspire engagement through co-curricular experiences. We will tackle the "big questions" that surround education: Why should anyone go to college? What should students learn? How do they learn? As we grapple with these questions, we will apply this theory to practice. In other words, we will "think about thinking" while we engage in discussion and writing processes that happen on and off the page. Students should epxect to extend concepts from INT 100 and WRT 150 to all other college experiences and beyond.

These courses satisfy the Writing and Philosophy & Literature General Education Requirements.

WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing
INT 100 - Reflect, Connect, Engage

A growing body of literature indicates that humans are more alienated from nature than ever before. In the last 20 years the desire to spend time outdoors has diminished despite the reported mental and physical benefits of being in the natural world. Research suggests that this separations has weakened citizen's ecological literacy and stewardship towards the environment. By exploring and reflecting on Grand Valley State University's natural surroundings, we will enhance our knowledge of ecosystems, examine controversial topics in nature on a deeper, philosophical level, and gain a greater sense of place.

These courses satisfy the Writing and Philosophy & Literature General Education Requirements.

PLS 102 - American Government and Politics
SOC 105 - Social Problems

Explore sociology and political science from the unique perspective of course pairing! During this experience, we will examine the fundamentals of American Government within the context of modern societal inequities including race, gender, and class. Through discussions of topics ranging from criminal justice and the education system to war and terror, we will examine critical contemporary issues and how they are and could be addressed with the political system.

These courses satisfy the Social & Behavioral Sciences and US Diversity General Education Requirements.

HST 103 - Introduction to American Civilizations
ENG 100 - Reading for College

This pair of courses will explore common people's history and current events to understand what is lost in much of our current content. Students will take a bottom-to-top view of American history and current events, examining a variety of primary and secondary sources from different periods, as well as examining various academic perspectives on the contemporary issues stemming from these histories. Students will learn how to read critically, with deeper comprehension, and more efficiency, as well as write persuasively and clearly to make an argument.

These courses satisfy the Historical Analysis and US Diversity General Education Requirements.

ENG 105 - Literatures in English
CLA 131 - Roman Civilization

This linked course offers a comparative framework for imaginatively exploring and thinking about historical and contemporary relations with the more-than-human environment. During our time together, we'll work with a diverse range of literary, philosophical, and scientific texts-from ancient roman society to ours-that ponder the extraordinary, complex, and fragile links between humans and the web of planetary life. Like us, the Romans contended with an array of environmental problems, including plague, and changing climates. What resilience strategies did ancient Romans develop in response to these challenges? How might their responses inspire us to take better care of each other and the planet? We will explore these and other fascinating questions to consider what the study of ancient Roma and the environment can offer us in the face of our contemporary ecological crises.

These courses satisfy the Historical Analysis and Philosophy & Literature General Education Requirements.

REL 100 - Religions of the World
ITC 100 - Introduction to Intercultural Competence

How are a person's religion and identity connected? How does this connection affect how a person experiences the world? This course pairing will delve into how religion is lived and impacts a person's identity. Students will examine how religion intersects with other aspects identity, such as class, sexuality, and race, to develop a sense of self. These courses will look back at historical shifts and analyze current issues connected to religion and culture.

These courses satisfy the Global Perspectives, U.S. Diversity and Social & Behavioral Sciences General Education Requirements.

DS 201 - Digital Identities and Communication
WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing

The pair of courses explore the role and future of technology. The courses will encourage students to interact with and use technology to reflect on and evaluate their digital identities and their involvement in digital communities. Students will encounter a range of digital artifacts and texts to grapple with how power relations are shaped through digital devices and by the plans for the future of technology companies. We will address questions like: "How will technology affect our future professional lives? How can our involvement in different digital communities shape our approaches to citizenship and civic participation? How do social media platforms shape our sense of self and our ability to build lasting, meaningful communities? Amid looming threats to democracy and the climate, how can we redirect technology to safeguard a sustainable future?".

These courses satisfy the Writing and Social & Behavioral Sciences General Education Requirements.

Com 201 - Speech
CIS 162 - Computer Science I

Daily standups, program team meetings, and project updates are standard practice for today's software developers. Aspiring programmers need to be effective communicators whether in person or through virtual meetings. Likewise, good public speaking skills are beneficial in all walks of life from presenting yourself as a candidate during a job interview or for landing a key internship to further your career while in college. This pairing builds both your programming skills and your ability to express yourself effectively

These courses satisfy the Social & Behavioral Sciences General Education Requirement and Major requirements for Computer Information Science and Cybersecurity

WRT 120 - Strategies in Writing: Stretch 1
ENG 100 - Reading for College

The transition from high school to college is an exciting time of life, though students and parents can sometimes arrive on campus unprepared for what college is really like. This paired course aims to help first year Lakers adjust to university life by introducing academic expectations, encouraging major exploration, building knowledge of campus resources, fostering a connection with the institution, learning to read and write across majors, and developing healthy coping strategies. These ideas will span both ENG 100 and WRT 120 as we examine problems common to new students and offer support for success at Grand Valley State University.

These courses satisfy the Writing General Education Requirement.

EGR 100 - Introduction to Engineering
EGR 111 - Introduction to Engineering Graphics

Start your journey to see the world through the eyes of an engineer. This pair of courses introduces the wide range of engineering disciplines, the engineering design process, and engineering graphical communication methods. Learn how engineers in different fields identify problems, brainstorm ideas, prototype solutions, and communicate their ideas using engineering drawings. Students will be expected to work in groups to explore a real-world engineering problem and present a designed solution using engineering sketches and drawings.

These courses satisfy Major requirements for Engineering

HSC 202 - Technological Revolution
EGR 113 - Introduction to CAD/CAM

From the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Age, participants unravel the intricate threads of innovation, examining the societal, economic, and environmental impacts of technological systems. Guided by their understanding of this technological evolution, participants will learn and prctice CAD skills while exploring models of revolutionary designs. Moreover, participants will engage in dynamic discussions about the social and cultural histories of manufacturing, exploring how advancements in technology have transformed production processes and both challenged and reproduced structures of power. From traditional machining to additive manufacturing, participants will gain insights into the ever-evolving landscape of manufacturing, understanding how modern techniques are reshaping industries and exploring what drives innovation across disciplines.

These courses satisfy Major requirements for Engineering

Second Choice for Connected Courses Pairing

WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing
INT 100 - Reflect, Connect, Engage

This pair of courses explores the life of the mind while encouraging students to exercise their own voices and play proactive roles in their education. In addition to reflection, the readings and course content inspire engagement through co-curricular experiences. We will tackle the "big questions" that surround education: Why should anyone go to college? What should students learn? How do they learn? As we grapple with these questions, we will apply this theory to practice. In other words, we will "think about thinking" while we engage in discussion and writing processes that happen on and off the page. Students should epxect to extend concepts from INT 100 and WRT 150 to all other college experiences and beyond.

These courses satisfy the Writing and Philosophy & Literature General Education Requirements.

WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing
INT 100 - Reflect, Connect, Engage

A growing body of literature indicates that humans are more alienated from nature than ever before. In the last 20 years the desire to spend time outdoors has diminished despite the reported mental and physical benefits of being in the natural world. Research suggests that this separations has weakened citizen's ecological literacy and stewardship towards the environment. By exploring and reflecting on Grand Valley State University's natural surroundings, we will enhance our knowledge of ecosystems, examine controversial topics in nature on a deeper, philosophical level, and gain a greater sense of place.

These courses satisfy the Writing and Philosophy & Literature General Education Requirements.

PLS 102 - American Government and Politics
SOC 105 - Social Problems

Explore sociology and political science from the unique perspective of course pairing! During this experience, we will examine the fundamentals of American Government within the context of modern societal inequities including race, gender, and class. Through discussions of topics ranging from criminal justice and the education system to war and terror, we will examine critical contemporary issues and how they are and could be addressed with the political system.

This course satisfy the Social & Behavioral Sciences and US Diversity General Education Requirements.

HST 103 - Introduction to American Civilizations
ENG 100 - Reading for College

This pair of courses will explore common people's history and current events to understand what is lost in much of our current content. Students will take a bottom-to-top view of American history and current events, examining a variety of primary and secondary sources from different periods, as well as examining various academic perspectives on the contemporary issues stemming from these histories. Students will learn how to read critically, with deeper comprehension, and more efficiency, as well as write persuasively and clearly to make an argument.

This course satisfy the Historical Analysis and US Diversity General Education Requirements.

ENG 105 - Literatures in English
CLA 131 - Roman Civilization

This linked course offers a comparative framework for imaginatively exploring and thinking about historical and contemporary relations with the more-than-human environment. During our time together, we'll work with a diverse range of literary, philosophical, and scientific texts-from ancient roman society to ours-that ponder the extraordinary, complex, and fragile links between humans and the web of planetary life. Like us, the Romans contended with an array of environmental problems, including plague, and changing climates. What resilience strategies did ancient Romans develop in response to these challenges? How might their responses inspire us to take better care of each other and the planet? We will explore these and other fascinating questions to consider what the study of ancient Roma and the environment can offer us in the face of our contemporary ecological crises.

These courses satisfy the Historical Analysis and Philosophy & Literature General Education Requirements.

REL 100 - Religions of the World
ITC 100 - Introduction to Intercultural Competence

How are a person's religion and identity connected? How does this connection affect how a person experiences the world? This course pairing will delve into how religion is lived and impacts a person's identity. Students will examine how religion intersects with other aspects identity, such as class, sexuality, and race, to develop a sense of self. These courses will look back at historical shifts and analyze current issues connected to religion and culture.

These courses satisfy the Global Perspectives, U.S. Diversity and Social & Behavioral Sciences General Education Requirements.

DS 201 - Digital Identities and Communication
WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing

The pair of courses explore the role and future of technology. The courses will encourage students to interact with and use technology to reflect on and evaluate their digital identities and their involvement in digital communities. Students will encounter a range of digital artifacts and texts to grapple with how power relations are shaped through digital devices and by the plans for the future of technology companies. We will address questions like: "How will technology affect our future professional lives? How can our involvement in different digital communities shape our approaches to citizenship and civic participation? How do social media platforms shape our sense of self and our ability to build lasting, meaningful communities? Amid looming threats to democracy and the climate, how can we redirect technology to safeguard a sustainable future?".

These courses satisfy the Writing and Social & Behavioral Sciences General Education Requirements.

Com 201 - Speech
CIS 162 - Computer Science I

Daily standups, program team meetings, and project updates are standard practice for today's software developers. Aspiring programmers need to be effective communicators whether in person or through virtual meetings. Likewise, good public speaking skills are beneficial in all walks of life from presenting yourself as a candidate during a job interview or for landing a key internship to further your career while in college. This pairing builds both your programming skills and your ability to express yourself effectively

These courses satisfy the Social & Behavioral Sciences General Education Requirement and Major requirements for Computer Information Science and Cybersecurity

WRT 120 - Strategies in Writing: Stretch 1
ENG 100 - Reading for College

The transition from high school to college is an exciting time of life, though students and parents can sometimes arrive on campus unprepared for what college is really like. This paired course aims to help first year Lakers adjust to university life by introducing academic expectations, encouraging major exploration, building knowledge of campus resources, fostering a connection with the institution, learning to read and write across majors, and developing healthy coping strategies. These ideas will span both ENG 100 and WRT 120 as we examine problems common to new students and offer support for success at Grand Valley State University.

These courses satisfy the Writing General Education Requirement.

EGR 100 - Introduction to Engineering
EGR 111 - Introduction to Engineering Graphics

Start your journey to see the world through the eyes of an engineer. This pair of courses introduces the wide range of engineering disciplines, the engineering design process, and engineering graphical communication methods. Learn how engineers in different fields identify problems, brainstorm ideas, prototype solutions, and communicate their ideas using engineering drawings. Students will be expected to work in groups to explore a real-world engineering problem and present a designed solution using engineering sketches and drawings.

These courses satisfy Major requirements for Engineering

HSC 202 - Technological Revolution
EGR 113 - Introduction to CAD/CAM

From the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Age, participants unravel the intricate threads of innovation, examining the societal, economic, and environmental impacts of technological systems. Guided by their understanding of this technological evolution, participants will learn and prctice CAD skills while exploring models of revolutionary designs. Moreover, participants will engage in dynamic discussions about the social and cultural histories of manufacturing, exploring how advancements in technology have transformed production processes and both challenged and reproduced structures of power. From traditional machining to additive manufacturing, participants will gain insights into the ever-evolving landscape of manufacturing, understanding how modern techniques are reshaping industries and exploring what drives innovation across disciplines.

These courses satisfy Major requirements for Engineering

Important Information:

Courses will be assigned to students based on preference and availability. Placement in a particular Connected Course pairing is not guaranteed.
Your course assignment will be sent to you prior to your Freshman Orientation session.
Students will not be assigned a Connected Course pairing until an Orientation reservation is received.

If you have additional questions, please email Dr. Brian Hatzel at hatzelb@gvsu.edu.

Admissions & Recruitment

First Year Learning Community - Fall 2024

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