Transformative Seminars Fuel Community and Curiosity at Brown

First-year seminars at Brown University are not just courses; they are vibrant learning experiences that reshape the way new students interact with knowledge and with each other. Since its inception in 2002, this program has not only introduced first-year students to seminar-style learning but has also fostered a sense of community among its participants.

Embracing Diverse Perspectives

The COLT 0711T: ‘Writing and Censorship’ seminar exemplifies the skillful blending of academic rigor and camaraderie. Professor Esther Whitfield describes the diverse student body as a dynamic mix enriching the classroom experience. “It’s really good to have people with these very diverse interests,” she shares. Students like Abrianna Dumel find the course grounding, noting how it facilitates engaging dialogues on social and literary issues that extend beyond the classroom.

Thriving in Creative Exploration

In the EAST 0152: ‘Worlds of Korean Cinema’ seminar, Assistant Professor Hieyoon Kim encourages students to explore film as a lens to understand South Korea’s modern history. Students like Alex Ophardt and Ben Yoo, both STEM concentrators, find themselves captivated by the subject, with Yoo gaining deeper insights into his heritage through cinematic narratives. According to The Brown Daily Herald, such cross-disciplinary courses are crucial for broadening educational horizons.

Discovering New Frontiers in Learning

Exploration and inquiry take center stage in EEPS 0160N: ‘Monsters of Abyss’, where Professor Baylor Fox-Kemper introduces students to oceanography intertwined with gripping sea tales. This seminar not only sparks interest but encourages personal growth and academic curiosity, as reflected in students like Ben McLanahan and Ellie Wolgemuth. Their experiences demonstrate that seminars are more than academic obligations; they are gateways to new perspectives.

Building Lifelong Connections

These seminars are platforms where students connect over shared interests and discover interdisciplinary connections. As Ben Yoo eloquently puts it, engaging with such diverse subject matter at Brown “felt like what I would imagine a Brown class to be.”

In conclusion, Brown University’s first-year seminars are redefining educational engagement and fostering an environment where students are not just learners but active participants in a community of inquiry.