Gateway Seminars

Starting in fall term 2024 EOU will be piloting a new model of first-year and transfer student seminar, asking new students to choose the orientation course that best fits their interests and goals. While each course introduces students to university cultures and strategies for success, they do so in different ways:

CORE 101: Gateway Seminar: Academic Literacies (3 credits; GTW)

CORE 101 provides support to all students interested in further honing their academic reading and writing skills. In addition, this course will provide an overview of study and test-taking skills that will be applicable across disciplines and majors at EOU. This course begins by giving students a chance to reflect on their previous learning habits and strategies and will provide insight on how these will be relevant to college reading and learning. Students will build on the strengths they already have, while learning about and integrating new skills and habits to help them succeed at EOU. Throughout the term, students will be given authentic opportunities to practice these skills and strategies in the context of assignments and activities that they may face throughout their time in college. This course is appropriate to any new EOU student, first-year or transfer, interested in expanding their practice of college reading, writing, and study skills. 

CORE 102: Gateway Seminar: University Studies (3 credits; GTW)

CORE 102 engages new students in university life, culture, and philosophies. The course begins by introducing students to different models of higher education, working to decode how EOU is structured, what people in different roles and disciplines do, and how that connects to students’ daily experiences and opportunities at the university. From there, students and faculty consider how different kinds of knowledge are being created, shared, challenged, and applied both in and out of the university, meeting people from different fields and professions who approach complex issues and problems in different ways. Throughout the term, students and faculty explore opportunities to engage in university life, considering how they might contribute to shaping EOU over the course of their degree and apply their own knowledge, interests, and philosophies as members of this community. This course is appropriate to any new EOU student, first-year or transfer, interested in exploring university cultures, majors, and connections to possible professions.

HUM 110: Gateway Seminar: Language, Identity, and Culture (3 credits; GTW)

In HUM 110, students will consider connections between their home cultures and the cultures of American universities, focusing on how diversity strengthens communities and individuals’ abilities to participate in a wider global world. This course begins by asking students to consider the values and perspectives  of their home cultures and to compare how these are similar to and different from the new cultures they are encountering at EOU. Throughout the term, students will be invited to consider how different perspectives have helped shape the university and the ways it is undergoing change as a result of the diversity on and off campus. Finally, students will reflect on the ways in which they themselves can contribute to shaping the culture of EOU as they build on the variety of strengths and interests they bring. This course is appropriate to any new EOU student interested in diverse cultural perspectives, as well as multilingual students who want to strengthen their communication skills in English.

HUM 310: Gateway Seminar: Language, Identity, and Culture (3 credits; DPD)

In HUM 310, new EOU transfer students will consider connections between their home cultures and the cultures of American universities, focusing on how diversity strengthens communities and individuals’ abilities to participate in a wider global world. This course begins by asking students to consider the values and perspectives  of their home cultures and to compare how these are similar to and different from the new cultures they are encountering at EOU. Throughout the term, students will be invited to consider how different perspectives have helped shape the university and the ways it is undergoing change as a result of the diversity on and off campus. Finally, students will reflect on the ways in which they themselves can contribute to shaping the culture of EOU as they build on the variety of strengths and interests they bring. This course is appropriate to sophomore- and junior-level transfer students interested in diverse cultural perspectives, as well as multilingual students who want to strengthen their communication skills in English.

Not sure which course is right for you? Take the short assessment here and discuss your answers with your adviser.