General Studies Freshman Foundations

Freshman Foundations

The Freshman Foundation is the first General Studies component. Under this component, you take four Freshman Foundation courses:

• First Year Seminar (GSR 101)
• Critical Reading and Writing (GSR 102)
• American Sign Language and Deaf Studies (GSR 103)
• Quantitative Reasoning course (GSR 104)

GSR 101 First Year Seminar (3)

The purpose of this course is to help new college students make a successful transition to the intellectual and personal demands of college. In this course, students will complete a wide variety of experiences that will help them address these essential questions: Who am I, and how did I get here? What is college all about? Where am I going, and how do I get there? This course is offered as part of a Learning Cluster which integrates GSR 101 (First Year Seminar), GSR 102 (Critical Reading and Writing) and GSR 103, (American Sign Language and Deaf Studies). The professors will work together to design reading, writing, and American Sign Language (ASL) assignments that are meaningful and relevant to the students’ lives as new college students. Prerequisite: Qualifying performance on the English assessment or screening. Course fee: $10

GSR 102 Critical Reading and Writing (3)

This course is offered as part of a Learning Cluster which integrates GSR 101 (First Year Seminar), GSR 102 (Critical Reading and Writing), and GSR 103 (American Sign Language and Deaf Studies). This course will focus on specific critical reading and writing skills that students need to succeed in their future coursework. Reading and writing activities and assignments will parallel First Year Seminar learning experiences. Prerequisite: Qualifying performance on the English assessment.

GSR 103 American Sign Language and Deaf Studies (3)

This course is offered as part of a Learning Cluster which integrates GSR 101 (First Year Seminar), GSR 102 (Critical Reading and Writing) and GSR 103, (American Sign Language and Deaf Studies). The purpose of the course is to prepare students to engage in critical, academic thinking through American Sign Language. Students will be introduced to historical, linguistic, literary and academic dimensions of American Sign Language. Students will learn the differences between formal and informal uses of language and gain experiences in critical analysis of American Sign Language texts. This course will also explore the theme of “Deaf Lives” and engage students in thinking about the complexities involved in identity construction and what it means to live Deaf lives today. Prerequisite: Qualifying performance on the English assessment or screening and passing ASL screening.

GSR 104 Quantitative Reasoning Approach (3)

The Quantitative Reasoning Approach course is designed to achieve mathematical literacy among liberal arts students. It includes the mathematics, logic, and problem-solving skills needed to make informed judgments in the contexts of science, technology, and society. Topics include number sense, statistics, probability, geometry, linear and exponential modeling, graphing, and data analysis. This is not a traditional abstract math class, but focuses on using mathematics and quantitative reasoning as valuable tools for comprehending the world in which we live. Prerequisite: Qualifying performance on the English assessment or screening; passing ASL screening; high school algebra and passing the math screening test; or passing MAT 040.

The four foundation courses will give you the fundamental tools to progress toward the five competencies. You will improve your communication and problem-solving skills and start thinking about your own identity and college life. The four courses will have linked content.