Frequently Asked Questions

How are first-year seminars different from other courses?

The primary distinction between first-year seminars and other courses is the limited enrollment to 15-18 first-year students. These seminars typically meet twice a week for 75-minute sessions, creating a close-knit community between faculty and first-year students.

Why first-year students?

The first year of college marks a significant transition for students. It’s a time of adjustment and initiation into the academic community. First-year seminars serve as a welcoming environment where students can interact with their peers, engage with faculty members in small settings, and begin to understand the privileges and responsibilities that come with being part of an academic community.

Why seminars? 

While lecture courses play a vital role in the undergraduate curriculum and can be highly effective for certain subjects, small classes with ample opportunities for discussion and interaction with faculty offer a valuable complement, particularly in the first year. This is especially true as students often enroll in multiple introductory lecture courses during this period.

How are students admitted to a seminar?

Students apply to first-year seminars during the registration period. Each student may enroll in one first-year seminar per term, and up to two first-year seminars during their first year of Yale College. For comprehensive list of available seminars, see Yale Course Search by selecting "First Year Seminar" under Yale College Attributes. 

Are funds available for course support?

Yes, funding is available through a designated gift allocated to the program, intended to enhance your courses by facilitating activities such as field trips, guest speaker invitations, and other experiential and multidisciplinary endeavors. It’s important to note that this funding does not extend to cover expenses related to snacks, campus meals, or books.

The typical budget allocation for each seminar is $1,000. If you plan to utilize these funds, please complete a brief budget request form, outlining your proposed activities and providing an itemized budget prior to the first week of classes.

Proposing a new First-Year Seminar

Faculty members interested in proposing a first-year seminar should first discuss their plans with the relevant director of undergraduate studies (DUS) to confirm that the proposed course supports the curriculum needs of the department or program. Additionally, it is crucial to consult Jasmina Besirevic, associate dean for undergraduate education, who oversees the First-Year Seminar Program.

Once consensus is reached with both the DUS and Jasmina Besirevic, the process of proposing a first-year seminar follows a straightforward path and closely resembles that of proposing any new course. Instructors can simply complete the standard online course proposal form in the CourseLeaf system, adhering to the regular deadlines established by their respective department or program.