University of Southern California

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Freshman Seminars

College Academic Services Building 200
(213) 740-2961
dornsife.usc.edu/fsem

Director: Richard Fliegel, Ph.D.

Freshman Seminars introduce freshmen to the larger academic world they are now entering. These small group seminars address topics of current interest in contemporary research and scholarship.

Freshmen earn two units of baccalaureate credit through participation in these weekly seminars. Active exploration of the life of the mind is emphasized through a variety of classroom activities and assignments.

To encourage the relaxed interchange of information and ideas, most seminars are graded credit/no credit. Each seminar is limited in enrollment to 18 freshmen.

Freshman Seminars encourage the natural development of the mentoring relationship between faculty and students. An early start on building these connections enhances the opportunities for intellectual growth throughout the student’s years at USC.

Freshman Seminars are offered for the fall and spring semesters in a variety of subjects. Individual topics are indicated by parenthetical titles in the Schedule of Classes (usc.edu/soc) under the FSEM designation or on the department’s Website (usc.edu/fsem).

For further information, contact Richard Fliegel, Ph.D., (213) 740-2961, email: fliegel@usc.edu, or Marsha Chavarria-Winbush, (213) 740-2961, email: chavarri@usc.edu.

Courses of Instruction

Freshman Seminars (FSEM)

The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.

FSEM 100 Freshman Seminar (2, max 4, FaSp) A seven-to-eleven week course offered for incoming freshmen; limited to 18 students. Graded CR/NC. A combined maximum of 4 units of FSEM 100 and FSEM 101 may be applied to the degree.

FSEM 101 Freshman Seminar (2, max 4, FaSp) A seven-to-eleven week course offered for incoming freshmen; limited to 18 students. Letter graded. A combined maximum of 4 units of FSEM 100 and FSEM 101 may be applied to the degree.

FSEM 180 First Year College Seminar (2, max 4, FaSp) A thematic seminar for entering students in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, exploring an area of academic study, research, or creative work. Graded CR/NC.