Generally, a SAGES seminar involves three hours of class time a week. First Seminars added the “Fourth Hour”, an opportunity for learning outside the classroom.

The Fourth Hour could be used for more intensive training in certain writing or oral presentation skills, viewing of movies that may be relevant to class discussions, attendance at plenary sessions, and visits to institutions of culture or scholarship. The exact nature of Fourth Hour events depended on the course, and was in the control of the faculty member teaching that course.

Many freshmen at Case Western Reserve University are new to the Cleveland area, and Fourth Hour was a good way for them to learn more about the city, and what it has to offer. There are a number of world class institutions based in University Circle, so within walking distance of the CWRU campus.

Regardless of the regular meeting time of a student’s First Seminar, Fourth Hour took place either Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 12:45-2:00pm.