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Incoming freshmen are no longer limited to the standard “Intro” and “101” course options as they begin their college studies. Now first year and transfer students are able to participate in a first year seminar as part of their general education curriculum. “Creating a Happy Life,” “Can We End Global Poverty, and “But What If My Parents Didn’t Go To College?” are among the seemingly uncommon choices students have to begin their academic careers at Salem State.

The development of the First Year Seminar (FYS) Program grew out of the popularity of “Passion Courses,” implemented several years ago, which afforded professors and students the opportunity to explore areas of interest outside their academic disciplines. This pilot initiative, along with the rewarding and well-liked First Year Reading Experience (FYRE), received high marks from the campus community and has been credited in part to an overall improvement in retention rates among first year students.

Salem State’s first-year experience office has partnered with over 60 full-time faculty members to develop these seminars which are somewhat “hybrid” in nature. On one hand they challenge students to think about learning in a new ways, exploring ideas and concepts that faculty are passionate about through academic lens, and at the same time provide valuable basics such as time management, study skills, how to register for classes and how to read a syllabus, to name a few. “The main idea with FYS is to introduce students to the experience of academic exploration that is central to liberal arts education,” observed Anne Noonan, faculty fellow for the first year experience.

“First Year Seminars are all about inspiring passion in our students,” said First Year Experience Director Mathew Chetnik,”and giving them an opportunity to know their professors in a relaxed, creative environment.”

Participating faculty are enthused about tackling new and sometimes quirky “non-academic discipline” interests as a basis for developing these seminars. Jeanne Corcoran and Judith Parker Kent, both occupational therapy professors, will be leading 21 incoming students in “The Comedy Club.” Using the study of comedy, Corcoran and Parker Kent will focus on relationship building among the new students, getting them to open up and learn the importance of communication and working with a peer group. “Humor crosses all cultures, ages and life experiences,” said Corcoran, “laughter is such a positive experience and makes learning so much more meaningful…a great way to enhance new friendships,” she added. For the first time in 15 years Professor Corcoran will be teaching freshmen and can’t wait to provide “an understanding of our campus through the eyes of comedy!”

With a background in theology and ethics, James Gubbins, chairperson, interdisciplinary studies department, found the processing of putting the “Creating a Happy Life” course together both fun and enlightening. “We are fortunate to live in an era when happiness is being researched by psychologists, economists, and sociologists,” he observed. “Students read books and articles based on that research, and then try out the practices of happy people and avoid the habits of the unhappy”, and added, “My students seem to laugh a lot during class so I think something is working. College can be frightening and dispiriting…the students know that I and my colleagues are on their side.”

What could be better than selecting a seminar specific to your individual interest and getting academic credit? And, along the way, applying life skills, using critical thinking and developing positive habits and life-long friendships? As Gubbins concluded, “It’s rewarding to teach a course where I can say to the students, ‘This Course is all about you becoming a better and happier person’.”