First-Year Experience (FYE)

College students, many of whom are young adults, are constantly asked to be better educated, motivated, and engaged with the world around them while simultaneously being mocked for creating their own cultural contributions. This FYE will explore how developmental changes in the late teens and early 20s are a prime time for developing competence, empathy, and identity. How do you view what is valuable in this world? What are the needs of the community around you, and how can you contribute to positive change? What makes you….you?

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) MW 11:00–11:50 am, Elyzia Powers
• ENGL 110 College Composition I, 3 SH (RC, CCS5) MWF 1:00–1:50 pm, Samuel Stinson

For many, the personal and professional skills, relationships, and habits developed in college will set the tone for life after college. The Balancing Instincts FYE will enhance your ability to communicate with yourself and others. If you are looking to start your college experience off on a positive note, then join us as we practice yoga, engage in social dance experience, and develop healthy habits.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) MW 10:00-10:50am, Karina Stander/Rachel Simonson
• KIN 101 Dance, 1 SH (PSR3) MW 8:00 – 8:50am, Terry Eckmann

An FYE that teaches you how to get that bag... ethically. Join this FYE if you feel like learning about the ethical prism that surrounds economics and business. BADM 120 will teach you what you need to know about the business world, how it's structured, and how to navigate it. ECON 201 will teach you all about how to manage scarce resources, including your time and money. UNIV 110 will bring our ethics the whole way around and give you knowledge of sustainability and responsibility when dealing with time and money. Let's go on this journey together. We'll learn some fun stuff along the way!

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TTH 11:00-11:50, Linda Conn
• BADM 120 Fundamentals of Business, 3 SH (CCS6) MWF 10:00-10:50 Maleeha Latif
• ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics, 3 SH (FC) TTH 9:30-10:45, Daniel Ngugi

If you’re the outdoorsy type (or aspire to be), then this FYE is for you! 1) You’ll learn about the planning and logistics that go into a successful camping trip. 2) You’ll learn how to properly prepare for hiking. 3) You’ll learn how to set up a tent and sleep in it. 4) You’ll help plan trip activities. 5) You’ll learn about the geology of that region; and then 6) We’ll get in a van, go to those locations and experience geology in its natural habitat! On the trip, we’ll be thinking about environmental change topics as we experience the changing landscape of Glacier National Park and violent upheavals and the Earth’s hot interior when we travel through Yellowstone National Park. 

IMPORTANT: A required 8-day camping trip that includes some strenuous hiking will be involved around the first week of October; participation in the trip is mandatory. Sense of humor and ability to hike are both prerequisites for this  learning community! Includes a $200 course fee toward trip expenses.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) F 11:00-12:50, Kelsey Higginson
• GEOL 190 Introductory Regional Geology, 3 SH (FC2, IP2, PSR3) MWF 9:00-9:50, Joseph Collette

So you like Country music?  Rap?  Classical?  Why?  Are there reasons outside of your “personality” that shape your personal preferences, life choices, and everyday decisions?  As we walk through our world we’re constantly met with suggestions on everything, from a review of the latest movie, and the type of diet you eat, to significant choices about where you should live, what occupation you should pursue, and having kids. In our everyday experiences, we rarely have time to consider how culture and society impact the choices we make.  Sociology can help us gain an understanding of how society fundamentally impacts our conception of who we are and the choices we make.  In this FYE, we will explore a variety of societal forces that have shaped our personal choices and the very notion of ourselves and what we like and enjoy.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TTh 10:00-10:50 am, Christine Borden-King-Jones
• SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology, 3 SH (FC3, PSR1) MWF 10:00-10:50 am, Jynette Larshus

Great athletes, actors, musicians, and public speakers can control anxiety, minimize stress, utilize imagery, and use relaxation to control their performance. This learning community combines techniques of movement and psychology of sport to examine how both the body and mind influence performance.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TTH 8:00–8:50am, Beth Odahlen
• KIN 126 Yoga, 1 SH (PSR3) TTH 11:00–11:50am, Terry Eckmann

Collaborate with other musicians, create your own music, and connect with students and faculty in the MSU music program. In this learning community, students will explore music as both a career and a life-long pastime and use their talents—musical and otherwise—for creating projects to share with the community. All levels of music experience are welcome; required for music majors.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) WF 10:00 - 10:50am, Dianna Anderson
• MUSC 122 Musicianship I, 3 SH MWF 11:00 - 11:50am, Erik Anderson
• MUSC 122L Music Foundations Lab, 0 SH M 10:00 - 10:50am, Erik Anderson
• MUSC 123 Musicianship Lab I, 1 SH, TTH 11:00 - 11:50am, Dianna Anderson

This activity-based FYE will address the importance of creating balance in our lives, so we can have time to do the things that make us feel happy and fulfilled. Focusing on the dimensions of wellness, students will learn how to adapt to the academic demands of college while living a healthy lifestyle.

• UNIV 110: First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) MW 11:00-11:50am, Rachel Simonson
• KIN 126: Group Exercise, 1 SH (PSR3) MW 2:00-2:50pm, Terry Eckmann

College will be starting soon and everyone seems to be asking questions that make you cringe, “What are you studying?” or “What is your major?”.  Do you immediately hesitate in answering these questions, and reluctantly respond, “I’m not sure”?  This may seem scary, but don’t worry; you are not alone! This learning community will help you explore your interests and learn more about yourself while exploring your personal, career, and educational goals.  You will be equipped with the resources to make informed decisions about majors and careers that are right for you.  Embrace your status of exploring your options!

• UNIV 110 First Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TTH 11:00 am–11:50am, Heather Martin
• COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking, 3 SH (RC) TTH 9:30–10:45am, TBD

Full answer in the comments! Digital technologies shape nearly every aspect of life today. Join a community of peers to explore how social and mass media, marketing, psychology, learning, and identity come together in digital spaces. We will discuss how digital tools impact how we think, learn, and behave in varied settings by leveraging frameworks from psychology, media effects, sociology, and human-computer interaction.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) MW 11:00–11:50 am, Christine Borden-King-Jones
• COMM 219 Mass Media & Society, 3 SH, (FC3, CCS3) MWF 12:00–12:50 pm, Olivia Reed
• PSY 204 Introduction to Cyberpsychology, 3 SH TTh 11:00 am–12:15 pm, Ethan Valentine

All superheroes have an origin story – you do, too! Explore your superpowers and your Kryptonite. In this learning community you will learn about what it takes to be a leader, build self-awareness, and cultivate your own leadership skills. You identify, create, and analyze popular origin stories as well as your origin story and those of local leaders.

• UNIV 110: First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2)  TTh 11:00-11:50 am, Christine Borden-King Jones
• LEAD 101: Introduction to Leadership, 3 SH (CCS1) TTh 9:30-10:45 am, James Sturm

In this first-year learning community, you will explore what your personal goals are for life and success, and how to meet them financially and personally.  Students will learn about how to identify and set goals, how to make difficult decisions, and balance personal and financial wellbeing. Come and explore who you are, what you want, and how to get it!

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) MW 9:00-9:50am,  Katelynn Albers
• FIN 251 Personal Finance, 3 SH (PSR3) TTH 11:00-12:15am, David Frantsvog

This Learning Community is designed to help International Students have a positive transition to Minot State University. Students will be encouraged to explore their new environment and take advantage of being in a new place and to expand their perspectives through an introspective awareness of a new culture. The combination of COMM 110 and UNIV 110 is a perfect way to find your VOICE at Minot State University. COMM 110 will give you the skills needed to communicate and converse at a college level, and UNIV 110 will allow you to discover support services, navigate campus life, understand American culture, and share some of your own cultural background with the MSU community. 

This FYE is designed to facilitate cultural adjustment to life in the United States; it is not intended for Canadian students. 

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TTh 1:00 – 1:50 pm, Maleeha Latif
• COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking, 3 SH (FC) MWF 2:00 - 2:50 pm, David Paterno

The courses in this FYE will encourage students to think critically through the application of aspects of the criminal justice system. These will include examining common controversies within the system, including police use of force, sentencing disparities, and overcrowded prisons. Additionally, concepts of law, law enforcement, theory, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice as well as culture, deviance, theory, family and social, racial and ethnic interaction will be integrated into the courses.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TTH 2:00 – 2:50 pm, Mitchell Gresham
• CJ 201 Intro to Criminal Justice, 3 SH (CCS2) TTH 11:00am – 12:15pm, Maria Kerzmann

This group of courses will explore the connections between classroom practices and the processes of learning. Why do some students remember pictures and others remember words? Is it useful to label students? Why are some students motivated and others not so much? Does development affect learning? How can educators help students be successful? We will explore these questions through coursework that looks at the complicated decisions that adults and kids in schools make every day and then visit elementary, middle and high schools to apply the information.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) T 1:00 - 2:50pm, Kathy Hintz
• ED 260 Educational Psychology, 2 SH (CCS1, CCS6) TH 1:00 - 2:50pm, Laura Zucca
• ED 260L, 0 SH, time arranged, Kathy Hintz

This group of courses will explore the connections between classroom practices and the processes of learning. Why do some students remember pictures and others remember words? Is it useful to label students? Why are some students motivated and others not so much? Does development affect learning? How can educators help students be successful? We will explore these questions through coursework that looks at the complicated decisions that adults and kids in schools make every day and then visit elementary, middle and high schools to apply the information.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TH 1:00 - 2:50pm, Kathy Hintz
• ED 260 Educational Psychology, 2 SH (CCS1, CCS6) T 1:00 - 2:50pm, Laura Zucca

• ED 260L, 0 SH, time arranged Kathy Hintz

Throughout human history, people have become empowered through self- or directed-learning experiences, often overcoming obstacles others have not had to endure. This learning community will highlight learning and education across the modern world. Discover how marginalized people and groups have empowered themselves through learning. How can these examples inspire you to find your own place as a learner?!

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) MW 1:00 - 1:50pm, Bethany Andreasen
• HON 191H The Honors Community, 1 SH, F 1:00 – 1:50pm, Jessica Smestad
• HIST 215H Modern World Origins, 3 SH (FC, CCS2, IP1) TTH 11:00-12:15am, Ernst Pijning

Explore strategies for successful transition to the university community as you embark on your educational journey. How do you balance all the little things to stay healthy, happy, fit, and safe?

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) M 1:00-2:50 pm, Sara Frantsvog
• BIOL 202 Microbiology, 4 SH (FC, CCS1, CCS6), MWF 3:00 – 3:50 pm, Rachel Schomaker
• BIOL 202 (Lab) T 3:00-4:50 pm Rachel Schomaker

POWER Up with skills and resources to successfully meet the academic and personal challenges as a college student. This learning community focuses on empowering you to be a successful student and an engaged and healthy individual through physical activities and cognitive concepts of health-related fitness and wellness.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TTH 2:00pm - 2:50pm, Katy Allers
• KIN 100 Concepts of Fitness and Wellness, 2 SH (PSR3) MW 12:00pm – 12:50pm, Ruth Chen

In this first-year learning community, you will explore what it means and takes to be a computer professional in the 21st Century and knowledgeable about Big Data. Through hands-on experiences, you will explore and learn foundational concepts and skills regarding hardware, software, data analysis and visualization which are needed to succeed in the profession. You will learn how to write Python code which is the popular programming language for Data Science. Also, learn about careers and other skills needed to be a successful techie in today's data-driven world.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TTH 9:00 - 9:50am, Darren Seifert
• CSCI 111 Introductory Programming and Big Data (CCS1), 4 SH MTWTH 10:00 - 10:50am, Daren Erisman

In this first-year learning community, you will explore what it means and takes to be a cyber (computer) professional in the 21st Century. Through hands-on experiences, you will explore and learn foundational concepts and skills regarding hardware and software (applications and operating systems) which are needed to succeed in the profession. You will learn how to write code which is the foundation of getting cyber technology hardware to work. Also learn about careers and other skills needed to be a successful techie in today's world.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) TTH 9:00 - 9:50am, Darren Seifert
• CSCI 160 Computer Science, 4 SH (CCS1) MTWTH 11:00 - 11:50pm, Daren Erisman

Explore the various characters, settings, and plots in the field of communication disorders, and unlock the secrets behind powerful storytelling. Through story experiences in the community, students will develop critical skills for the profession of speech-language pathology.

• UNIV 110 First-Year Seminar, 2 SH (RC, PSR2) MW 2:00 - 2:50pm, Kayla Fisher
• CSD 150 Profession of Communication Disorders, 2 SH, TTH 2:00 - 2:50pm, Erin Holt