First-Year Experience

History of Georgia Southern

Dr. Pamela Altman (Archives & Records Management) & Jana Briley

Tuesday, 8:00 to 9:15 & Thursday, 8:00 to 8:50 through 10/9

CRN: 87251

Section: Y

Students will learn the history and evolution of higher education in Georgia, beginning with basic information on the first institutions of higher education in the United States and into the state of Georgia. Land grant colleges will be discussed as will the Georgia District Agricultural and Mechanical schools. Students will research and study higher education in Georgia as a whole for half of the semester and the development of what is now known as Georgia Southern University for the remainder of the semester. The course will involve components of both research and writing.

Financial Stability in College and Beyond

Theresa Beebe-Novotny (Academic Success Center)  

Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 to 10:50      

CRN: 87284

Section: AG

Today’s college students graduate with a larger amount of indebtedness for student loans, credit cards, and car payments than any previous generation of college graduates.  Is anyone to blame for this?  Students' reckless spending?  Parents' failure to plan?  Governments' misguided priorities?  In this course section, we will consider these issues as well as focus on personal financial budgeting and planning skills for today’s college students.  Students will discuss personal financial budgeting and planning skills as well as personal investment, financial savings, and lifelong issues of retirement investment and financial planning.

Civil Rights & Baseball in the South

Dr. Chris Caplinger (First-Year Experience)  

Tuesday & Thursday, 3:30 to 4:20      

CRN: 87299

Section: AV

Most baseball enthusiasts know the Jackie Robinson story.  Less well known is how baseball helped transform the American South in the years that follow.  After MLB plucked the majors-ready ballplayers from the Negro Leagues, franchises had to start developing African-American talent just as they did all ballplayers.  Because many lower-level teams were located in segregated states, the introduction of black players created racial tension that eventually—through fits and starts—led to racial progress on and off the ball field.  Students in this seminar will investigate baseball's impact on desegregation in the cities and rural areas of the South during the 1950s and 1960s.

Star Wars & Society

Dr. Jon Coleman (University Housing)  

Tuesday & Thursday, 3:30 to 4:20      

CRN: 87277

Section: ZZ

A look at current issues in politics, government, ethics, philosophy, and science as well as personal decision making as viewed through the lens of the six Star Wars movies.

Black Men in America

Dr. Georj Lewis (Dean of Students)  

Monday & Wednesday, 9:00 to 9:50      

CRN: 87405

Section: AAZ

Statistically, the African-American male has a shorter life expectancy and is being incarcerated at a rate higher than any other demographic group.  Fewer Black men go to college than their female counterparts.  Regardless of social status, the Black male’s experiences in the legal system, educational environment, and work place have often been challenging. This seminar will provide an opportunity for students to explore African-American male challenges and identify opportunities for success.

Juggling School and Work

Janet O'Brien (Academic Success Center)  

Tuesday & Thursday, 5:00 to 5:50      

CRN: 87276

Section: YY

Are you worried about how you will juggle school, work, family, and all of your other responsibilities?  Do you think you are all alone in this struggle?  You couldn’t be more wrong!  More and more college students are facing these same concerns.  Join us as we read and discuss the literature on the subject.  Along the way, we'll discover ways to deal with stress and develop strategies to keep a balance in our lives as we strive to reach our academic, professional and personal goals.