First-Year Experience

On Thought, Action, and Sustainability

This course is reserved for incoming Honors students. The readings and assignments will be built around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals that aim to provide “a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” Class discussions will tap into students’ own curiosity, passion, creativity, and sense of responsibility to include a distinctive learner-directed environment and philosophy that are the hallmarks of an Honors program.

Instructor: J.Robbins

Day/Time: TTH 8–9:20 a.m.

Companion: W 3–3:50 p.m.

The course analyzes texts and visual arts (film, paintings, architecture, sculpture, stage performance) from the eighteenth century onward, focus on Europe and America, regarding the depiction of energy and effects of new energy forms on society. Examples are “King Steam” and the machine age with smog, electricity as source of entertainment, object of a public discourse on danger, energy form of a new century. Nuclear energy as “our friend” and as a source of fear. The course includes several text types (e.g., short stories, longer narrative, novel-excerpt and movie adaptation of a novel), a range of genres (e.g., Mythology, Naturalism, Victorian Disaster narratives, Science Fiction, “Science Factual”, Thriller), and several art movements (e.g., Impressionism, Futurism, Expressionism, Art Nouveau, Bauhaus). Students analyze text and paintings and acquire knowledge about tropes (e.g., metaphor, allegory) and common topoi. Moby Dick makes an appearance, too (spoiler: he is not turned into energy.).

Instructor: J. Meindl

Day/Time: MWF 11–11:50 a.m.

Companion: TH 8:30–9:20 a.m.

Using scientific information is key to meeting society’s challenges, including those related to social equity and environmental sustainability. This class will train you to communicate science efficiently and engagingly with a variety of audiences. We’ll use improv games, written work, research, and creative projects to help you learn to become an expert on a subject and share that expertise with others to solve problems and build a better future.

Instructor: E. Sterner

Day/Time: TTH 9:30–10:50 a.m.

Companion: W 12–12:50 p.m.

Do you feel you are the only student undecided about your college major? Would you like to have an answer to the nagging question “So, what’s your major?” It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed about how you will make this decision. This course will help students to understand the connection between major and career. Your college major opens the doorway to many career possibilities, but it’s up to you to make the most of your experience both in and out of the classroom. The world of work today is complex and dynamic. Through applied learning including interactive experiences, texts, film, and podcasts, students will critically examine and explore academic majors available at LVC. This course is restricted for Exploratory majors only.

Instructor: E. Julian, S. Bartz

Day/Time: TTH 12:30–1:50 p.m.

Companion: M 8–8:50 a.m.

Do you feel you are the only student undecided about your college major? Would you like to have an answer to the nagging question “So, what’s your major?” It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed about how you will make this decision. This course will help students to understand the connection between major and career. Your college major opens the doorway to many career possibilities, but it’s up to you to make the most of your experience both in and out of the classroom. The world of work today is complex and dynamic. Through applied learning including interactive experiences, texts, film, and podcasts, students will critically examine and explore academic majors available at LVC. This course is restricted for Exploratory majors only.

Instructor: E. Julian, S. Bartz

Day/Time: TTH 12:30–1:50 p.m.

Companion: M 3–3:50 p.m.

Students must take the corresponding companion course of FYE-111C, as evident by matching section numbers.  In this seminar, we’ll explore issues surrounding science denial, which involves the rejection of verified scientific evidence and/or the methods employed by scientists to gather reliable data.   We’ll study the causes and motivations underlying denialism, the various techniques used by purveyors of science denial to spread misinformation, and the harmful consequences of denialist attitudes for individuals, societies, and our planet.  We’ll also discuss the steps that can be taken by individuals and larger societal entities to combat false/misleading information that, when not addressed, can destabilize valid science-related messaging and interventions designed to enhance human life.

Instructor: L. Manza

Day/Time: MWF 9–9:50 a.m.

Companion: M 8–8:50 a.m.

This class seeks to empower students to move beyond notions of “common sense” and mere opinion on ideas of social justice. Drawing on academic literature, popular culture, and experiences in their own lives, students will critically engage fundamental ideas of justice, freedom, and society and complex issues of social inequality, oppression, and structural violence. Students will explore issues of justice that impact our social identities (race, gender, ethnicity, class, religion, sexualities, ability, and body image) and show up in every level of culture education, politics, social media, entertainment, and religious/spiritual life). Students will develop the skills to not only engage these issues intellectually but reflect on how these concepts operate in their daily lives intellectually, emotionally, and bodily. Priority for this FYE is given to students who have enrolled in the Social Justice learning community.

Instructor: M. Sayers

Day/Time: MWF 10–10:50 a.m.

Companion: W 12–12:50 p.m.

Our brain makes us who we are. It regulates how we think, what we remember, how we react to situations, how we speak, and how we move.  This seminar explores the brain from a dysfunction perspective by incorporating how brain diseases and injury affect behavior and function. There are many famous cases such as those of Phineas Gage and Louis Victor Leborgne and stories illustrated by Oliver Sacks and others that have provided great insight into the relationship between brain anatomy and function. In this seminar, will use books, short stories, research articles, and films to discuss this relationship and also explore how recent advances in neuroscience have helped us to better understand how the brain works.

Instructor: E. Unger

Day/Time: MWF 10–10:50 a.m.

Companion: TH 8:30–9:20 a.m.

In this course, we will discuss the basics of music: how to write about music, how music functions in different situations and cultural contexts, relationships between musicians and audiences, and how music communicates identity. We will hear examples from various times and places globally, and students will bring their own examples to class discussions and as topics for their essays.

Instructor: R. Norris

Day/Time: MWF 11–11:50 a.m.

Companion: T 8:30–9:20 a.m.

Amish and similar groups have been a part of Pennsylvania for a long time, but they also live in 30 other states and beyond. They are often seen as outsider, imagined as saints, or as a group with dark secrets. They have become a part of pop culture, from tourism and furniture to romance novels. In this course, we will explore the main ideas and beliefs of Amish and the main ways how non-Amish perceive them. We will analyze how Amish are depicted pop culture, for example, literature, television, and movies, to answer the questions: why do the Amish live that way and why are they so fascinating to many of us?

Instructor: J. Meindl

Day/Time: TTH 9:30–11 a.m.

Companion: W 12–12:50 a.m.

Beer, wine, and bread. Civilization would not have developed without these everyday items. Ancient peoples may not have known it, but all of these items are products of biotechnology. Today, biotechnology influences our health, what we eat, what we wear, how we heat our homes, and many other things we take for granted.  Civilization as we know it has been brought to you by several thousand years of advances in biotechnology.

Instructor: W. Patton

Day/Time: MWF 11–11:50 a.m.

Companion: F 12–12:50 p.m.

Calling hobbyists, tinkerers, doodlers, aspiring Bake-Off contestants, artists, inventors, and the making-curious! In Make(r)Space, we’ll explore the act of making things and how we think about those actions in terms of creativity, functionality, and physical interaction with materials. We’ll study the art of attention by considering how we use our time and where we put our energy, and we’ll consider how we communicate our experiences and our research to a variety of audiences through both shared class experiences and individual projects. In a world of increasingly ephemeral digital interactions and high-stakes final products, Make(r)Space invites us instead to engage with process, practice attitudes of flexibility and resilience, and connect with ways of making. And we’ll make some stuff. The only thing you need is willingness to try.

Instructor: H. Wendt

Day/Time: MW 2–3:20 p.m.

Companion: T 8:30–9:20 a.m.

This class explores the causes and consequences of America’s expensive and dysfunctional healthcare system.  The roots of the problem have less to do with medical practice than the business culture that has placed profit over professionalism.  The class also provides an introduction to the medical humanities approach, that incorporates science, humanities and social sciences.

Instructor: J. Hinshaw

Day/Time: MWF 2–2:50 p.m.

Companion: M 12–12:50 p.m.

Over the past one hundred years, the American film industry, driven by Hollywood, has emerged as a global force, creating narratives that entertain audiences around the world. More importantly, film plays a powerful role in shaping how we look at the people around us, whether it’s subconsciously reinforcing an existing stereotype or outright challenging a dominant norm. This course will examine how contemporary films reflect, construct, and question the dominant image and understanding of America’s diverse societies and culture, focusing particularly on race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality. By placing films within their broader historical and cultural contexts, students will learn to analyze and understand films as sociological and ideological productions.

Instructor: E. Julian

Day/Time: MW 2–3:20 p.m.

Companion: T 8:30–9:20 a.m.

Calling hobbyists, tinkerers, doodlers, aspiring Bake-Off contestants, artists, inventors, and the making-curious! In Make(r)Space, we’ll explore the act of making things and how we think about those actions in terms of creativity, functionality, and physical interaction with materials. We’ll study the art of attention by considering how we use our time and where we put our energy, and we’ll consider how we communicate our experiences and our research to a variety of audiences through both shared class experiences and individual projects. In a world of increasingly ephemeral digital interactions and high-stakes final products, Make(r)Space invites us instead to engage with process, practice attitudes of flexibility and resilience, and connect with ways of making. And we’ll make some stuff. The only thing you need is willingness to try.

Instructor: H. Wendt

Day/Time: MW 3:30–4:50 p.m.

Companion: TH 8:30–9:20 a.m.

This course delves into the world of fan culture within the realms of sports and entertainment marketing. Students will explore the fascinating dynamics of fandom surrounding iconic figures such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, among others. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will analyze the multifaceted nature of fan engagement, including their own practices around who, how, and why they follow certain public figures. Students will be examining various factors including brand endorsements, ticketing economics, merchandise sales, and social media metrics.

Instructor: B. Mason

Day/Time: TTH 8–9:20 a.m.

Companion: M 3–3:50 p.m.

Students will study how sports have impacted our society and how the media has shaped the relationship. We will study the history of sports journalism, and students will read and analyze a variety of writing styles from sportswriters in all media, including broadcast, print and the web. We will also analyze how sports feature stories attract an audience who may not be avid sports fans; it’s the power of words that brings us together.

Instructor: J. Fettrow-Alderfer

Day/Time: TTH 9:30–10:50 a.m.

Companion: M 12–12:50 p.m.

The topic of this FYE is punk, a musical subculture that began in the mid-1970s as a raw form of rock and roll that smashed cultural norms and influenced generations of musicians. We will learn about punk rock as a musical form (genre) and about punk as an enduring global movement that emphasizes DIY practices, political activism, and independence from the corporate music industry. The focus of FYE 111 is on the origins of punk and the underground networks of music that developed throughout the1980s, eventually leading to the popularization of punk as alternative rock and Grunge in the early-1990s. Class time will be spent discussing a range of materials including readings, video news pieces, and documentary films, in addition to the writing process itself.

Instructor: M. Pittari

Day/Time: TTH 9:30–10:50 a.m.

Companion: T 8:30–9:20 a.m.

What is the “good life?” Does wearing the motto saying so make it so? Does going to college for a better life make it so? In a world where just about everything is for sale, how is the good life not also? Questions concerning the good and the good life have long been explored. In this course, we will examine how our understanding of what makes a good life may be shaped or derailed by social media, modern lifestyles, globalization, branding, racism, or the desire to have it all! We’ll read different types of texts, from philosophy to fiction to op-eds. We’ll also watch big screen and TV films. Foremost, we will emphasize how writing is not just for papers and grades, but for finding one’s voice and learning how to think. Class will be discussion based, around a text or a film, to promote dialogue and understanding. Writing assignments will promote the intellectual skills of inquiry and analysis and encourage you to examine your own moral commitments and vision for social responsibility.

Instructor: N. Vahanian

Day/Time: TTH 12:30–1:50 p.m.

Companion: M 8–8:50 a.m.

This course delves into the world of fan culture within the realms of sports and entertainment marketing. Students will explore the fascinating dynamics of fandom surrounding iconic figures such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, among others. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will analyze the multifaceted nature of fan engagement, including their own practices around who, how, and why they follow certain public figures. Students will be examining various factors including brand endorsements, ticketing economics, merchandise sales, and social media metrics.

Instructor: B. Mason

Day/Time: TTH 12:30–1:50 p.m.

Companion: W 3–3:50 p.m.

This course seeks to develop the sociological imagination through an examination of the way in which film both influences, and is influenced by, dominant social and cultural ideology. Integral to the course is an analysis of the role of the filmmaker as artist, investigating the figure’s historically dichotomous role as both social subversive and propagandist. This semester especial focus will be given the portrayal of the monster in science fiction, horror, and comedy.

Instructor: A. Owen

Day/Time: 2–3:20 p.m.

Companion: W 3–3:50 p.m.

The topic of this FYE is punk, a musical subculture that began in the mid-1970s as a raw form of rock and roll that smashed cultural norms and influenced generations of musicians. We will learn about punk rock as a musical form (genre) and about punk as an enduring global movement that emphasizes DIY practices, political activism, and independence from the corporate music industry. The focus of FYE 111 is on the origins of punk and the underground networks of music that developed throughout the1980s, eventually leading to the popularization of punk as alternative rock and Grunge in the early-1990s. Class time will be spent discussing a range of materials including readings, video news pieces, and documentary films, in addition to the writing process itself.

Instructor: M. Pittari

Day/Time: TTH 2–3:20 p.m.

Companion: TH 8:30–9:20 a.m.

From Beowulf to The Walking Dead, art has expressed people’s fascination with monsters and violent mayhem. Though the horror genre has always been popular, it is also often dismissed as lowbrow, even exploitative, entertainment that caters to humanity’s baser instincts. In this class, we will confront that point of view by looking at the ways in which horror entertainment both reflects and challenges the cultures in which it is produced. We will analyze a variety of texts, including Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and George Romero’s film “Night of the Living Dead”. Students will learn about milestones in the development of the horror genre in film and literature, gain an understanding of introductory terminology in film and literary analysis, and discover the main theories about why audiences enjoy horror. Students must take the corresponding companion course of FYE-112C, as evident by matching section numbers.

Instructor: L. Eldred

Day/Time: TTH 8–9:20 a.m.

Companion: M 12–12:50 p.m.

Law and Justice explores the centrality of human rights within the rule of law. With a comparative focus on the US and British legal systems, this FYE examines the protection of civil liberties and rights (including those concerning reproduction, intimacy, and healthcare), the role and constitutional position of judges (and relatedly, the importance of judicial independence and diversity), the evolving development of the common law through precedent cases, and the obligations that arise under criminal and contract law, and torts. Students must take the corresponding companion course of FYE-112C, as evident by matching section numbers.

Instructor: P. Benesch

Day/Time: TTH 12:30–1:50 p.m.

Companion: W 12–12:50 p.m.

In this writing course, students will explore the intersection of language and artificial intelligence through the lens of generative AI. Students will study the principles underlying AI-driven large language models and analyze their impact on communication and creativity. Emphasizing critical thinking and effective communication skills, the course will guide students in evaluating the ethical, legal, and societal implications of generative AI. By honing their writing abilities, students will articulate well-informed perspectives on topics like bias, privacy, original work, the emerging uses of generative AI, and the evolving relationship between humans and AI. This course provides a unique opportunity for first year students to navigate the dynamic landscape of generative AI and develop essential communication skills for the 21st century. Students must take the corresponding companion course of FYE-112C, as evident by matching section numbers.

Instructor: M. Pettice

Day/Time: TTH 2–3:20 p.m.

Companion: F 12–12:50 p.m.

When working to develop personal leadership skills, we can use films to understand and further develop authentic leadership beliefs.  This course focuses on the attributes, nuances, and quandaries of leadership.  We will watch films throughout the course and analyze, critically review, and discuss the various leaders we observe.  We will debate the value of the leader’s skills and determine which, if any, we would adopt as our own. Much of the course is dialogue and analysis in large group discussions and debate.

Instructor: B. Bertram

Day/Time: TTH 8–9:20 a.m.

Companion: W 12–12:50 p.m.

The American Dream. Is it still attainable for people in the US? This course will continually pose and attempt to answer this question through the examination of a selection of artifacts including literature, sociological research, and film. Specific readings will provide ample points of discussion specifically considering the impact of education, socioeconomic class, technology, and identities on our ability to achieve individual success. Frequent viewings of media including Inequality for Alland Humans will provide more touchpoints to extend the conversation.

Instructor: T. Rosenberg

Day/Time: MWF 10–10:50 a.m.

In this writing course, students will explore the intersection of language and artificial intelligence through the lens of generative AI. Students will study the principles underlying AI-driven large language models and analyze their impact on communication and creativity. Emphasizing critical thinking and effective communication skills, the course will guide students in evaluating the ethical, legal, and societal implications of generative AI. By honing their writing abilities, students will articulate well-informed perspectives on topics like bias, privacy, original work, the emerging uses of generative AI, and the evolving relationship between humans and AI. This course provides a unique opportunity for first year students to navigate the dynamic landscape of generative AI and develop essential communication skills for the 21st century.

Instructor: M. Pettice

Day/Time: TTH 12:30–1:50 p.m.

Instructor: E. Maisto

Day/Time: W 12–12:50 p.m.

Instructor: J. Tindall

Day/Time: F 12–12:50 p.m.

Instructor: J. Tindall

Day/Time: T 8:30–9:20 a.m.