First-Year Seminar

What does it really mean to “play politics”? In this highly interactive First-Year Seminar, you won’t just read about power, strategy, and decision-making — you’ll practice them. Drawing on game theory, social choice theory, and collective action research from political science, economics, sociology, and psychology, we’ll explore how people make interdependent choices about who gets what, when, and how. Then we’ll put those theories to the test. Through simulations and strategic games, you’ll compete for votes, form alliances, control agendas, gerrymander districts, and (ethically!) test the boundaries of manipulation and trust. This is a serious intellectual course about the science of decision-making — but it’s also a laboratory for strategic play. If you’ve ever wondered how power actually works, this seminar lets you find out by playing the game.

Faculty: Eric McLaughlin

The History Channel says aliens helped build the pyramids. Netflix says refugees from Atlantis taught advanced technology to the Maya. Archaeologists say this is all bunk and that the wonders of the ancient world are the product of local human ingenuity and effort. In this FYS, we’ll learn how to find reliable sources of information – in archaeology and beyond – to evaluate competing knowledge claims like these. The goal is understand how we know what we know. Because if you don’t know that, you don’t know anything at all.

Faculty: Wes Bernardini

We live in a time of relentless and overwhelming information. And yet, it can be difficult to understand what exactly is going on around us, in our community, our country, and the world. In this course we will learn how to critically analyze information, how to investigate current events beyond the headlines, and understand how the news affects our daily lives. Students will follow breaking developments across different media sources, learn from each other in weekly “situation room” briefings, and build an interactive Story Map explaining a major news story happening during the semester. Students interested in media, journalism, history, economics, political science, and geographic information science will find something for them in this course!

Faculty: Patrick Wing

Have you ever considered the goals of a published map? Have you questioned whether the data represented on a map is accurate? This course will invite you to explore the ways that religion has shaped the maps that define our social, cultural, political, and geographic landscapes. As the semester progresses, you will likewise learn to use sophisticated online tools that allow you to re-define and ‘re-draw the map’ of religious landscapes (and data), using categories and criteria that are meaningful to you.

Faculty: Lillian Larsen

Artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction—it is part of our daily lives. We may already be using AI tools for writing, searching, creating, or just plain chatting. But how is this technology shaping the way we think, learn, and imagine our future? In this seminar, we will examine AI from both personal and societal perspectives. We will reflect on our own experiences with AI, engage diverse viewpoints about its promises and risks, and consider how it is transforming learning, work, creativity, and human relationships. This course is hands-on. We will experiment with generative AI tools, practice thoughtful prompting, and critically analyze AI-generated responses. Through readings, discussion, and collaborative activities, each of us will develop an informed perspective on AI. The course culminates in a creative presentation that combines text and visuals to map your evolving relationship to AI. Curiosity required, no technical background necessary!

Faculty: Sawa Kurotani

You will develop a physical understanding of the Earth system and how they manifest in weather and climate. You will learn how to access and interpret basic meteorological data and forecasts. At the end of the course you will be able to engage with the trade-offs of human influence on the Earth system starting from a factual basis to estimate the influences on changes in weather and climate.

Faculty: Martín Hoecker-Martinez

In recent years, the maker movement has been gaining popularity. Makerspaces are interdisciplinary environments where individuals can design and create art, entrepreneurial products, entertainment items, trinkets, and more. In this course, students will learn how to use the machines available in the University of Redlands makerspace, develop a maker and design mindset, and discover ways to connect the makerspace with their academic and personal interests. This will be achieved through weekly readings about makerspaces and creating artifacts using the makerspace tools. This First-Year Seminar (FYS) is valuable for students interested in becoming educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists, or storytellers.

Faculty: Iyan-Barrera-Sandri

How do people work together to create and sustain life and well-being? What roles do ideas like competition and cooperation play in this economic coordination? Board games can offer hands-on ways to explore social and economic issues and better understand human interactions and institutions. In this course, we will learn through playing board games about different economic concepts, such as markets, workers’ rights, climate change, social norms, and discrimination. Playing the games will serve as an unconventional – but meaningful – introduction to economics. In addition to playing board games, students should expect to complete weekly readings, participate in active seminar discussions, write short reflective essays, and, as a final project, propose your own idea for an economic board game!How do people work together to create and sustain life and well-being? What roles do ideas like competition and cooperation play in this economic coordination? Board games can offer hands-on ways to explore social and economic issues and better understand human interactions and institutions. In this course, we will learn through playing board games about different economic concepts, such as markets, workers’ rights, climate change, social norms, and discrimination. Playing the games will serve as an unconventional – but meaningful – introduction to economics. In addition to playing board games, students should expect to complete weekly readings, participate in active seminar discussions, write short reflective essays, and, as a final project, propose your own idea for an economic board game!

Faculty: Nick Reksten

This introductory course explores the fundamentals of sports broadcasting across television, radio, and digital platforms. Students will learn the core elements of play-by-play announcing, color commentary, reporting, interviewing, and studio hosting. Through hands-on practice, participants will develop skills in scriptwriting, voice delivery, storytelling, and live game analysis. The course also examines the evolution of sports media, from traditional broadcasts on networks like ESPN and NBC Sports to emerging streaming and social media platforms. Students will gain experience using basic production equipment, understanding broadcast roles, and preparing for live and recorded segments. Emphasis is placed on professionalism, preparation, research, and ethical responsibility in sports journalism. By the end of the course, students will produce sample broadcasts and build foundational skills necessary for further study or entry-level opportunities in sports media.

Faculty: Lance Franey

The study of Genetics is the study of the molecule of life: DNA. We will study the basic structure and function of DNA, how we manipulate and manufacture DNA as well as the proteins coded for by the DNA. For specific examples, we will focus on the genetics of dog breeding; how humans were able to create over 200 different breeds in less than 300 years. We’ll study why and how dog breeders do what they do, and what problems result from their work. It is my hope that you will leave this class with a better understanding of the issues surrounding genetics in general, and this understanding will help you make informed choices in the grocery store, the doctor’s office and the voting booth.  As we learn about the methods used to isolate and manipulate DNA, I also hope that this gives you a better understanding of how scientists approach problems and develop experiments to solve those problems.

Faculty: Candy Glendening

ENGLISH: Title: Global Vibes: Sin Fronteras. Identity, Belonging, and Culture in the Spanish-speaking World. College is more than classes and credits; it’s a defining moment. Global Vibes: Sin Fronteras is a first-year seminar designed to help you thrive intellectually, socially, and personally. Rather than a traditional textbook, we turn to bold cultural voices from Latin America and the diaspora in film, music, art, literature, and history as dynamic lenses for examining identity, power, resilience, and belonging. These works cross borders. And so will we. You will strengthen essential skills: persuasive communication, ethical reasoning, collaboration, and adaptive thinking. Expect dynamic discussions, presentations, reflective writing, and guided engagement with campus resources that support your academic success. This is an interactive, dynamic course for students ready to think globally and act with purpose. You will leave with sharper analytical tools, meaningful connections, and a clear, strategic plan for your first year. Requirements: intellectual curiosity, openness to new perspectives, and a willingness to engage. Language of instruction: Spanish. Video: Latinoamérica.

SPANISH: Título: Global Vibes: Sin Fronteras. Identidad, pertenencia y cultura en el mundo hispanohablante. La universidad es más que clases y créditos; es un momento decisivo en tu formación intelectual y personal. Global Vibes: Sin Fronteras es un seminario de primer año diseñado para acompañarte en ese proceso y fortalecer tu desarrollo académico, social y humano. En lugar de un libro de texto tradicional, el curso se centra en voces culturales significativas de América Latina y la diáspora en el cine, la música, el arte, la literatura y la historia como marcos de análisis para examinar críticamente la identidad, el poder, la resiliencia y el sentido de pertenencia. Estas expresiones trascienden fronteras y amplían nuestra perspectiva. Desarrollarás competencias como la comunicación persuasiva, el razonamiento ético y la colaboración mediante debates, presentaciones, escritura reflexiva y vinculación con recursos universitarios. Es un curso interactivo y riguroso para estudiantes dispuestos a pensar globalmente y actuar con propósito. Requisitos: curiosidad intelectual y participación activa. Idioma de instrucción: español. Video: Latinoamérica

Emotions are an important part of our everyday lives. Why do we become emotional when we do? What are the triggers of different emotions? What is the biology underlying our emotions? Can we recognize subtle signs of emotion in others? In this seminar, we’ll approach the study of emotion through two lenses. Through a psychological lens, we’ll consider different theories of how, when, and why we experience different emotions. We’ll also pay attention to the different (although sometimes overlapping) physiological experience of emotions – e.g., increased heart rate, sweaty palms, etc. Using a photographic lens, we’ll capture emotion visually, allowing us to explore the behavioral components (i.e., facial expressions) of emotions. As such, we’ll learn how to identify different emotions from unique signals in the face and recognize even the subtlest signs of emotions. Final projects will be a professionally bound portfolio of the cognitive, physiological, and behavioral components of emotions. 

Faculty: Jessica Hehman

This First-Year Seminar introduces students to the skills and strategies necessary for success in college and beyond. The course focuses on self-awareness, communication, relationship-building, and navigating common academic and social challenges. Students will examine how personal identity, communication practices, and decision-making influence their college experience. Through structured discussions, reflective writing, applied activities, and the development of a personal success portfolio, students will build practical skills such as communicating with faculty, managing conflict, and engaging with campus resources. The course includes opportunities to connect with key campus offices and apply concepts to real-life situations. Course expectations include regular participation, short written assignments, and applied exercises designed to support student growth. By the end of the course, students will have developed a personalized approach to navigating the college environment and achieving their academic and personal goals.

Faculty: Autumn McKiernan

This class will explore American culture and the idea of the American dream through children’s eyes and experiences. What does the American dream look like to kids growing up in America today? Do kids have equal opportunities as they grow into adulthood? What do kids learn as they grow up in diverse neighborhoods and schools across America? Students should expect weekly reading and writing assignments and be ready to participate in active seminar discussions. For final projects, students will learn to analyze census data and create ArcGIS maps as they explore childhoods in their own hometowns.

Faculty: Jennifer Tilton

Freedom of speech is considered a core value in the United States, yet every year, the American Library Association tracks scores of books that people seek to remove from classrooms and libraries across the country. Sometimes these efforts even result in book burnings. Because a central component of a liberal arts education is developing your abilities to evaluate and respond to ideas from a wide range of academic disciplines and an array of perspectives, the free exchange of ideas is crucial to your education. In this class we are going to practice key liberal arts skills – critical thinking, responding to and synthesizing ideas, written and oral communication – as we dive into the thorny issues around censorship. You can expect to read 20-25 pages per class, engagement with current events around book banning, participation in on-campus events, critical essays, and a final, spatially informed project.

Faculty: Heather King

This seminar introduces first-year students to the knowledge, resources, and responsibilities that support academic success and well-being in college. Students will explore interdisciplinary concepts related to learning, identity development, resilience, and belonging while building practical skills for navigating the university environment. Weekly topics connect students to campus resources and services that support their success, including academic support, health and wellness, career exploration, outdoor programs, and community engagement. Through discussion, reflection, outdoor experiences, and brief embodied practices (such as movement, breathing, and mindfulness), students will examine how habits, choices, and relationships influence their college experience. The course emphasizes self-awareness, help-seeking, and intentional decision-making as essential components of student success. By the end of the semester, students will develop a personalized approach to thriving in their first year and beyond.

Faculty: Kristin Grammer

Game theory applies mathematics and probability to study strategic interactions, situations where individuals are mutually aware that outcomes depend not only upon their choice but also upon others’ choices. Game theory is so broadly applicable that some scholars argue that it offers a framework that could unify the social sciences in pursuit of a general theory of human behavior and motivations. Students will study and gain a solid conceptual knowledge of core topics in game theory such as simultaneous- and sequential-move games, normal- and extensive-form games, pure and mixed strategies, repeated games, evolutionary games, and numerous equilibrium concepts. Students will develop game theory knowledge from assigned readings, in-class discussions, in-class experimental games, and problem-solving exercises. Students will also use their game theory knowledge to analyze various real-world games such as pricing, advertising, bargaining, entry deterrence, voting, conflict and diplomacy, lobbying, cooperation and altruism, trust and trustworthiness, and social conventions.

Faculty: Nick Shunda

Chemistry is the gateway to most of the other sciences. A solid foundation in Chemistry allows the wonders of the natural world to open up for exploration and discovery. This seminar will introduce you to the field of chemistry which includes studying the properties, structure, and reactivity of atoms and molecules, with a concurrent laboratory session where the concepts discussed during class time will be explored in more depth. Topics covered during this course will be the fundamental concepts of atomic structure, stoichiometry, aqueous reactions, states of matter, molecular structure and bonding, and thermochemistry. Time will be spent in class developing strategies for being successful in chemistry. This will include math skills (“there’s a use for algebra?”), problem solving (“let’s brainstorm different approaches”), critical thinking (“does this pass the reasonableness test?”), and more.

Faculty: Brigid Kumler

Examining controversial topics through various lenses, including social media, this class will narrow down broad topics, find and select from both “authoritative” and questionable information sources and decide on how to put sources in concert with one another in order to provide, identify, examine, interrogate and reframe popular myths and misinformation on controversial topics. To achieve this, the class will utilize readings, podcasts, documentaries, discussions and information searching activities; and consider a variety of perspectives, performances, and representations that are both traditional and non-traditional in order to critically analyze and provide a useful, holistic, and nuanced presentation on a selected myth. While we may have to navigate through highly biased content on a daily basis, it's our responsibility to strive to do better when we put information back out.

Faculty: Shannon Simpson

This seminar turns the foundational concepts of spatial thinking into a mirror — one pointed directly at your own life. Where did you grow up? How do you move through your day? What places shaped who you are? In this course, you will explore core ideas in spatial science — pattern, scale, proximity, region, and connection — through the lens of personal geography and lived experience. Through reflective writing, mapping exercises, and collaborative discussion, you'll discover that your story has always had a spatial dimension: the neighborhoods, routes, distances, and boundaries that define who you are and where you're headed. No prior GIS experience required — just a life worth mapping. Which, it turns out, you already have.

Faculty: Douglas Flewelling

The course will focus on the principles and techniques of effective communication in different business situations, and the development of interviewing and collaborative problem-solving skills. Emphasis will be placed on inter-personal communication in the age of social media in the corporate world; the nature of inter-group dynamics and communication; and the listening and speaking skills essential to communicate in the 21st Century business world.  Fundamentally this is a basic speech class with emphasis placed on developing effective oral communication skills.

Faculty: Bill Southworth

Whose stories shape the Middle East—and who gets to tell them? In this seminar-style course, we will explore the lives, histories, and creative voices of women across the Middle East through novels, memoirs, poetry, film, and activism produced by women from the region. Together we will question stereotypes, unpack Orientalist images, and “de-exoticize” everyday life by listening closely to women’s own accounts of identity, faith, family, politics, love, work, and resistance. Students will spend the semester discussing texts and films, engaging empathetically in conversation, and connecting personal narratives to larger questions about gender, religion, colonialism, nationalism, globalization, and violence. We will ask hard questions—about veiling, patriarchy, feminism, Islamic movements, and peace‑building—while comparing Middle Eastern women’s experiences with those in the US. Guest speakers and hands‑on cultural experiences (food, dance, coffee rituals, henna) bring learning beyond the classroom. Teaser clips: Wadjda (2012) | Persepolis (2007) trailer: 

Many of our environmental successes AND failures can be attributed to a single individual. Some of them well known while others may have toiled for decades to accomplish one single "victory" for an environmental cause, only to be forgotten by history. Likewise, there are individuals that can "roll back" these accomplishments and/or styme their efforts. In this seminar, we will take a look at several of these individuals, some well-known such as Rachel Carson and John Muir, others not. Who was responsible for designating wilderness areas in the United States? National Parks? What is the history of the Clean Air Act? What forces have worked against these accomplishments? In this seminar we will have lecture and discussions. You will keep a journal of the people you learn about throughout the course and write two final papers, one on a shero, and one on a hero or villain.