First Year Seminar

The First-Year Seminar (FYS100 or UWL100 ) at UWL is a required course for all first year (entering) students, and transfer students with 12 credits or less. 

Classes are designed to engage students. They discuss meaningful questions that help prepare them for college level work. First-Year Seminars also fulfill several of the purposes of General Education by developing group work skills, critical thinking and learning, and reflecting on their experiences as a first-year student.  

First-Year Seminars encourage students to consider the value and purpose of General Education, as well as their college education as a whole. FYS sections are usually small, between 25-28 students per section, allowing students to connect with their classmates and instructor.  

Sections help students consider larger questions related to the college experience, including:  

• What does it mean to learn?  

• What is college trying to teach?  

• What factors will lead to increased success? 

UWL students take FYS or UWL 100 to help adjust academically and socially during their first year: 

• FYS combines academic content with resources/skills to adjust to college which helps students stay at college and graduate in a timely manner (Jamelske, 2009).  

• UWL first year seminar classes focus on promoting social and academic belonging by building relationships between students and their instructors through discussion, activities, and collaborative projects.  

• FYS courses provide a consistent place for students to ask questions about adjusting to campus life that might not fit into other general education courses.  

• Recent UWL students cite in course evaluations that they like the size and structure of the class as a place to make friends and get more comfortable as college students 

• 25% of new UWL students are first generation college students – FYS helps students who need additional support get adjusted to college.  

• Many UWL students are coming to campus with more general education credit – taking FYS or UWL100 in the first year helps students get adjusted to college with other first year students.  

First-Year Seminar courses (UWL100 or FYS100) count towards the required credits for General Education.

Jenn Taylor, First-Year Seminar Course Coordinator - fys@uwlax.edu

Instructors are selected in collaboration between the college, the department and individual instructors. Once certified, individual instructors can rotate in and out of FYS 100/UWL 100 in semesters that it works best for the teaching load of their department and/or college.  

Contact the FYS Coordinator for information about upcoming certification opportunities. See contact information below.

Having both 2-credit and 3-credit options allows different course experiences and flexibility for students. 

• Each FYS 100 course has a different topic created by instructors to introduce students to interesting academic and research areas. Students also connect with campus resources, activities, faculty, and other students. 
• Every  UWL 100 has the same focus on building skills employers and graduate schools value, such as communication, collaboration, and adaptability. Students also connect with campus resources, activities, faculty, and other students.