All courses taught as First Seminars and University Seminars in the SAGES program fall into one of three thematic areas.

Starting in Summer 2024, students can fulfill a University Seminar requirement by completing any USNA, USSO, or USSY course; there is no longer the requirement that each course comes from a different thematic area.

In addition, students can satisfy a University Seminar requirement by successfully completing a corresponding Communication Intensive course associated with the new General Education Requirements. You can find these designated courses on SIS by using the “Degree Requirements” filter. Please note that a Communication Intensive course taken to fulfill a University Seminar requirement does not also satisfy breadth requirements.

The three thematic areas are:

Thinking about the Natural or Technological World

These are First Seminars with course codes starting FSNA and University Seminars starting USNA.

Courses that meet the objectives of this theme explore the identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of physical, biological, or chemical phenomena, as well as development and dissemination of technology.

Thinking about the Social World

These are First Seminars with course codes starting FSSO and University Seminars starting USSO.

Courses that meet the objectives of this theme introduce students to the methods and concepts critical to the understanding of human behavior and development, social organization, and historical change. These courses (like those for the Symbolic World) may also include the study of literature and of philosophical or religious ideas.

Thinking about the Symbolic World

These are First Seminars with course codes starting FSSY and University Seminars starting USSY.

Courses that meet the objectives of this theme explore the languages (including mathematics) used to describe, interpret, or construct the natural and social/cultural worlds. The study of these languages broadens the students’ understanding of human reasoning and communication.