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First-Year Seminars

Now that you’ve made your decision, it’s time to get excited about picking your classes! We’re giving you an exclusive, sneak-peek at some of our First-Year Seminar (FYS) offerings this fall.* 

Your education at Lycoming begins with a four-credit FYS during your first semester as part of your overall course load. You'll indicate your FYS preferences when you complete the New Student Advising Survey that will be sent to you from the Office of Academic Services Deans. From there, the advising team will build a first-semester schedule that includes one of your preferred FYS options that is compatible with your full course schedule. 

FYS 159 - A: The Art of the Laugh

Why do films and television make us laugh? How has our sense of humor developed alongside cinema? Is it possible to tell funny jokes without offending others? In this class, we will explore the elements of comedic storytelling. Tracing humor throughout film history, we will examine how visual jokes have adapted alongside technology and culture. Investigating topics such as packing, tension, and irony will reveal why laughter is contagious. We will discuss the ethics surrounding humor and gain an understanding of how to use it as a healthy response to everyday life. 

FYS 159 - B: Berlin on Film

Berlin has served as the setting for countless films since the earliest days of cinema. This seminar introduces the German capital through film, beginning with a brief history of Berlin and its place in film history. We will see films from every period of German cinema (Weimar, National Socialism, DEFA, Postwar, New German Cinema, Post-Reunification) by directors such as Carow, Lang, Murnau, Ruttmann, Siegert, Staudte, Stöhr, Tykwer, Wolf, and many others. A recurring theme will be the return of history as art, or: why do films set in Berlin so frequently remind the audience of the darkest days of Germany’s haunted past?

FYS 159 - C: Beyond Stereotypes: The Many Faces of Colombia

Is Colombia similar to "Encanto"? Do all Colombians resemble Pablo Escobar? Do all Colombian women act like the ones in "Narcos"? Is Colombia actually a dangerous place? Why do we tend to judge people who look and speak differently than we do? How are stereotypes marketed to entertain us? In this course, we will explore Colombia's rich and diverse culture, often overshadowed by harmful stereotypes that paint an inaccurate and incomplete picture. Looking at Colombia's vibrant cultural production, students will approach its movies, music, and literature as tools to defy the usual stereotypes. Students will critically examine the impact of "Disneyfication" on its portrayal, aiming to understand the cultural representation of violence and resilience. 

FYS 159 - D: The Biology of Monsters

What would it take for giant monsters like Godzilla and King Kong to walk, swim, and fight? How do vampires survive on an all-blood diet, and how often do they need to eat? How do zombies work, and how fast can a zombie spread their disease? Monsters are a common component of myths, legends, literature, movies, and the imagination. In this course, we'll dig into some of the great monster stories as we discuss the organisms that fictional monsters are based on and explore the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics behind their abilities.

FYS 159 - E: Diggin’ Jesus? Archaeology & the New Testament

Can we excavate Jesus? Did Jesus move in different circles than later followers, like the apostle Paul? This course looks at the role archaeology can play in illuminating the cultural, historical, and geographical environments in which the New Testament texts were written. Students will learn some of the methods used in the excavation, dating, and interpretation of material culture. They will examine problems faced by archaeologists who use the Bible as a guide for interpreting historical data, or Bible scholars who try to confirm New Testament events through archaeology. The course surveys numerous archaeological sites around the eastern Mediterranean that are relevant to the study and understanding of the New Testament and early Jesus movements.

FYS 159 - F: Exploring the Magical World of Harry Potter

What would Harry Potter study in college? Could he succeed without the help of his faithful friends, Hermione and Ron? What does succeeding at Hogwarts teach us about succeeding at Lycoming College? In this course we will delve into the Harry Potter series and discuss how Harry's experiences parallel the transition from high school to college and what they teach us about the importance of diversity in creating solutions to common student problems and how to map our way toward individual and communal goals. Together, we will explore the campus, discover its secrets, and cast a spell for success at Lycoming College. 

FYS 159 - G: Freakonomics

Ever wonder what school teachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? What is the upside of quitting? What is more dangerous: marijuana or alcohol? What makes a perfect parent? And, what do all of these seemingly unrelated questions have in common? In this course we will discover how each of these questions can be examined through the use of freakonomics, a term coined by coauthors Steven Levitt and Steven Dubner (scholars who have tried to "explore the hidden side of everything"). Using concepts from economics and other social sciences, we will seek answers to these and other important societal questions while also learning how to "think like a freak."

FYS 159 - H: Images of Artists in Visual Culture

Are you curious about the role of artists in society? Do you want to explore how artists are portrayed in visual culture? This course introduces students to the ways in which the image of the artist, and our understanding of their role within society, has been shaped through media culture. Through art works, films, and advertising, students will consider traditional depictions of artists and the ways in which artists have countered conventional modes of representation, including through self-portraiture and autobiographical writing. As such, students will explore the identities of artists and how they often fashion their own image as an act of resistance to mainstream culture. 

FYS 159 - I: Let it Go! Movies and Music

Curious about the secret language of movies and music? Have you ever tried watching a film on mute or simply listened to the soundtrack alone? From the silent era to today's blockbusters, this course invites you to explore how music isn't just a background player but the powerhouse that elevates storytelling to new heights. Uncover the secrets of why movies and music are a dynamic duo that crafts emotion, intensity, and magic on the big screen. 

FYS 159 - J: Life on Mars: Past, Present and Future

Was there ever life on Mars? Is there life on Mars now, perhaps hidden deep beneath its red surface? Could there be life on Mars in the future? What would humans have to endure to call Mars home? We will explore each of these questions with real astronomical data taken by Martian rovers and orbiters over the past several decades. With help from the science fiction story, The Martian (2011) by Andy Weir, and its movie counterpart, we will discuss advancements in exploring other planets and the possibility of sustaining human life on Mars in the future.

FYS 159 -K: Medieval Food and Culture

What kinds of food did peoples in medieval Europe eat? Where did that food come from? Did the kinds of foods consumed vary from place to place, change over time, or differ according to social class? Why were some available foods forbidden? This course will examine various aspects of food production and consumption during the Middle Ages. In doing so, we will also examine the social and cultural meanings of feasts and fasts, look at the role gender played in the production and consumption of food, and address possible parallels between modern food practices and those of the Middle Ages. 

FYS 159 - L: Mindful U: Don’t Just Survive—Thrive!

Do you often feel like you are running on “automatic pilot?” Are you worried about how to juggle it all—coursework, relationships, and your own physical and mental well-being? In this course, we will explore what it means to thrive and build greater resilience to the stress and the adversities we face, especially as a first-year college student. We will investigate the impact of stress on our attention, emotions, relationships, and overall health. We will discover how certain strategies and practices like mindfulness and self-compassion can increase care for ourselves and others around us. This course provides critical life skills, regardless of your future career aspirations!

FYS 159 - M: Pleasure: Sex and Food

Why do we enjoy what we enjoy? Does spicy food excite you or irritate you? What kinds of sex are okay to enjoy? This course will explore the ideas of what is pleasurable or disgusting through two case studies: food and sex. We will discuss how to make sense of variations in what people think of as good food/bad food and good sex/bad sex, including an examination of the role that social power plays in determining what we like, whether the pleasure/disgust experience is cultural or physical, and how to go about making sense of these charged subjects using the intellectual tools of a scholar.

FYS 159 - N: The Power and Politics of Coffee

Did you know that coffee is one of the most traded commodities on the planet? Or that it touches millions of lives each and every day? The global coffee trade demonstrates the interdependent and complex relationship between producers and consumers, political and economic institutions, and the developed and developing worlds. This course examines those complex relationships through political, historical, economic, and scientific lenses in order to better understand how such a powerful commodity is the source of poverty and prosperity, misery and happiness and what role you play in both. Along the way you will taste coffee, make coffee, experience it roasted, and experience it green.

FYS 159 - O: The Pursuit of Happier-ness

How happy are you? Positive psychology is the scientific study of the factors that contribute to happiness and flourishing. This course will examine evidence-based strategies for changing your behavior and thoughts to improve well-being and create a more meaningful, fulfilling life in your work, free time, and relationships.

FYS 159 - P: Returning to the Power of Local

What do downtowns of smaller cities and towns have to offer in the 21st century? Can these historic districts regain their relevancy in a world where online shopping is increasingly common? Downtown shopping districts in smaller cities and towns faded in the late 20th century, but many areas are seeing a resurgence. In this course, students will examine the role that downtown Williamsport plays in creating a more vibrant community through speaking with local entrepreneurs and other community members. Students will share their findings through a podcast series. 

FYS 159 - Q: The Science of Chemical Demonstrations

Have you ever seen a YouTube video of a science experiment and wondered how it could possibly be real? Do you like to experiment and work with your hands? This course will utilize chemical demonstrations from the internet and television to develop a student-led chemical demonstration show for the college community. This experience will allow students to develop their understanding of science as well as to refine their communication skills, specifically, their public speaking skills. Student choices of chemical demonstrations are used to define the content covered by the course.

FYS 159 - R: The Theatre of Professional Wrestling

Is wrestling real or fake? Are professional wrestlers like The Undertaker and Charlotte Flair actors? Why do masked luchadores never reveal their face? Ever wondered what professional wrestling has in common with the ancient Greek theatre, circus, vaudeville, and the Wild West? Take a leap off the top rope into the world of professional wrestling and see how it has become one of the most popular forms of live entertainment worldwide. Explore questions of gender and race in wrestling as we take on storytelling, character development, training, and design. We will break down matches as we do scripts for theatre productions and construct some of our own. Are you ready to rumble?

FYS 159 - S: Virtual Worlds

Are you sure that you’re not living in a simulated virtual world like in the film The Matrix? Would you be worse off if you were? This course is an introduction to selected philosophical issues through considering cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality. It asks questions such as: Can we know if we’re not in a simulation—and what it is to know things at all?  Is conscious AI possible—and what is consciousness generally? Could we live meaningful virtual lives—and what’s a good life anyway?  We explore these topics through philosophy, science fiction, and news about current advances in technology.

FYS 159 - T: Zen and Art

Why do we suffer and make others suffer? How can Zen and art create a path to a happier life? Zen is a spiritual philosophy that focuses on self-realization by transforming the psychological structure of the mind through meditation. This course will explore Zen philosophy as it relates to art and life. During the semester, we will read and discuss Zen philosophy, learn to meditate, and create art inspired by Zen.

 

*Offerings are subject to change depending upon staff availability and other factors.