University College Seminars

First-year students often find it reassuring to have assistance in making the transition from high school to college. Experiences with new intellectual standards, new social relationships, and new responsibilities are challenging. Perhaps the biggest challenge is finding the necessary support to successfully make these adjustments.

Through a series of UNIVERSITY COLLEGE SEMINARS, students have an opportunity to discover a unique support system while making a successful transition to college learning.  Each seminar features the exploration of a specific topic with an outstanding instructor in a small class environment.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE SEMINARS offer the following advantages:

1. study of a topic of special interest to an outstanding instructor who has a unique perspective on the subject and is enthusiastic about sharing this knowledge
2. a small class (maximum enrollment is 25 students)
3. personal interaction with an experienced and carefully selected professor or instructor
4. an opportunity to learn how to succeed as a college student by "learning how to learn" about a particular field.
   
   

All UNIVERSITY COLLEGE SEMINARS are 2-credit-hour, letter-graded electives. Your academic advisor can answer questions about seminars, or you may call First-Year Learning and Engagement at 405.325.3967 or email fyle@ou.edu. 

A complete list of seminars offered for a specific semester can be found on classnav.ou.edu. Search UCOL 1022 courses. 

UCOL 1022, 001 (CRN 30000) 9 Things about Money & College taught by Matt Hamilton from 12:30-1:20 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays in Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall, Room 240 

UCOL 1022, 003 (CRN 46700) Exploring Your Strengths taught by Zac Stevens from 9:30-10:20 am on Mondays and Wednesdays in Dunham Residential College, Room A0128

UCOL 1022, 005 (CRN 22459) 9 Things about Money & College taught by Matt Hamilton from 12:30-1:20 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall, Room 240 

UCOL 1022, 006 (CRN 30004) Sex in the 21st Century taught by Lawrence (Joe) Marshall from 12:30-1:20 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in LIssa and Cy Wagner Hall, Room 145

UCOL 1022, 007 (CRN 46643) Hollywood and Politics taught by Kimberly Gaddie from 11:30 am-12:20 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Headington Residential College, Room D0127

See specific course descriptions below.

UCOL 1022, 202 (CRN 40208) College Athletics in the 21st Century taught by Mike Meade from 4:30-6:25 pm on Tuesdays in Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall, Room 240. October 17 - December 9, 2022. 

UCOL 1022, 395 (CRN 33763) Exploring Your Strengths taught by Zac Stevens online. November 7 - December 9, 2022. 

UCOL 1022, 932 (CRN 30002) History of Comics taught by Jeff Provine online. October 17 - December 16, 2022 

UCOL 1022, 991 (CRN 45166) 9 Things about Money and College taught by Brad Burnett online. October 17 - December 16, 2022. 

UCOL 1022, 992 (CRN 45167) 9 Things about Money and College taught by Judi Voeller online. October 17 - December 16, 2022. 

UCOL 1022, 994 (CRN 41820) 9 Things about Money and College taught by Judi Voeller online. October 17 - December 16, 2022. 

UCOL 1022, 995 (CRN 35907) 9 Things about Money and College taught by Jennifer Trimmer online. October 17 - December 16, 2022. 

UCOL 1022, 996 (CRN 41821) 9 Things about Money and College taught by Mike Hinderman online. October 17 - December 16, 2022. 

UCOL 1022, 999 (CRN 41824) 9 Things about Money and College taught by Annette Moran online. October 17 - December 16, 2022. 

See specific course descriptions below.

 This course is designed to give students a basic knowledge of personal finance and money management, covering topics such as saving, credit cards, investing, credit scores, buying a home, and other monetary issues that directly affect college students and graduates. Students will take an active role in the course by applying lessons and assignments to their own personal situations. Students will learn how to build and maintain a personal financial plan. The goal of the course is to develop financially literate students who will be fiscally secure today and in the future.

The goal of the course is to assist students in understanding, affirming, and using their strengths to create success in college and life after college. This will be accomplished by investigation and exploration of students’ strengths as defined by StrengthsQuest, creative projects, and practice of specific academic skills and self-assessment.

Iron-Man. Batman. Garfield. The Yellow Kid. Uncle Sam. William the Conqueror. Ramses II. All, fictional and real, have been immortalized in the often overlooked medium of comics. Our class will study comics and cartoons as pictorial literature, one of the most significant means to tell a story and convey information. We will trace the history of comics as well as create a few of our own. Students will be responsible for an exam over comic history, a research paper giving a biography of a cartoonist, and a final portfolio of original comics and cartoons. Special guests from the Oklahoma Comics Creators will give firsthand peeks into the world of art and publishing.

Do filmmakers portray reality in their stories?  Or do filmmakers take only a minimum of actual fact and distort it to the point that it no longer has any basis in reality?  Maybe it is some of both. Often, those who write literature and produce film do so in order to make statements about politics. Producers use their observations about politics and campaigns and attempt to convey those observations in an entertaining medium in order to bring the issues to the attention of a wider audience. This course will use specific films and film segments to discuss how the American political experience is communicated through Hollywood’s feature films.

The primary goal is to explore various sexual issues as they are developing today.  This may include; Abortion, STDs, Marriage, Sexual Dysfunctions, Rape, Sex Education, Contraception, Love, and Relationships.  The precise issues will be determined by what will be occurring in the media at the time of the class. The purpose is to promote a forum where differing views can be discussed in an open and respectful manner.  You are not told what to think, but rather to think, and to develop your individual “meaning of sex.”  Some of the secondary goals are to enhance the students’ ability to think critically, to know and use the University’s resources, to work independently on some projects, together in teams on others, and to be aware of current events involving sex.

This course will explore current trends and issues in athletics in higher education. Particular attention will be given to the development and structure of the National collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Additionally, students will discuss recent legislation and issues surrounding such topics as academic standards, the student-athlete experience, and the pay-for-play debate.