Current FYSMs - First-Year Seminars

More information about these courses can be found in Carleton University’s Undergraduate Calendar.
In some instances, departmental websites may have more extensive information about each course.

Courses

FYSM 1001 [0.5 credit]
Imagine | Question | Search | Synthesize: Critical Foundations for Undergraduate Research

Essays, films, short stories, podcasts: Whatever project you are working on, you will need to do some research to get the facts, understand the issues, figure out who is saying what and why, and whether you should listen. In short, you need to do research to understand and develop your topic successfully.

The purpose of this first-year seminar is to introduce you to the foundational elements of the research process so that you can ask good research questions, develop effective search strategies, and ethically use sources for all your academic projects.

With the knowledge and skills you acquire in this course, you will be able to develop productive and ethical research practices that are fundamental to your information literacy, and to your success at university as well as on the job and in your personal lives.

Prerequisite(s): Normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1004 [1.0 credit]
Reading Literatures and Cultures

Introduction to active literary reading skills, focusing on at least three literary genres including poetry, prose, and drama, with attention to literary, social, historical, and political contexts. This course is writing attentive. Strongly recommended for English majors. Consult English Department website for annual topics.

Precludes additional credit for ENGL 1000 (no longer offered), ENGL 1100, ENGL 1200, ENGL 1300, ENGL 1400, ENGL 1600, and ENGL 1700.
Prerequisite(s): Normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1101 [1.0 credit]
Location is Everything

Where we live affects who we are. The role of geographic location and environment on human perception, behaviour, and well-being, viewed at scales ranging from local to global; methods of collecting and interpreting information about location.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1104 [1.0 credit]
Human Rights: Issues and Investigations

Arguments that have been used to defend differing positions on rights issues, past and present. The validity of contending arguments; social factors influencing wide-spread acceptance of popular views.

Precludes additional credit for HRSJ 1001, HUMR 1001 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1106 [1.0 credit]
Issues in Classics

An investigation of important issues relating to the Greek and Roman worlds. Themes will be drawn from literature, history, art, religion and social life. All texts are in English.

Precludes additional credit for CLCV 1000 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1107 [1.0 credit]
Social Justice and the City

Struggles over social and economic inequality in the city, and their relationship to processes of urbanization and global change. Theories and case studies explaining how urban lives and form are shaped by social movements and urban politics. Broad introduction to critical urban geography.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1108 [0.5 credit]
Sustainable Environments

The causes and consequences of environmental change; emphasis on the interactions of nature and human behaviour. Ways in which the environment can be protected and restored. Environmental issues that affect our own communities.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1210 [0.5 credit]
Minds, Machines, and Souls

Selected topics in the study of philosophy. Topics offered may vary from year to year and will be announced in advance of the registration period by the Department of Philosophy.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B. Econ., or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1217 [0.5 credit]
Reading and Writing for Media Studies

Introductory communication and media studies seminar. Topics offered may vary from year to year and will be announced in advance of the registration period by the Communication and Media Studies program.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program. (This course is not the equivalent of COMS 1000).

FYSM 1310 C [1.0 credit]
Selected Topics in Psychology: Introduction to Neuropsychiatry

Psychology is the scientific study of our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The course examines a selected topic in psychology. The specific topic will vary from year to year and will be announced in advance of the registration period.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A, B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1310 F [1.0 credit]
Selected Topics in Psychology: Emerging Adulthood and Beyond

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A, B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1310 G [1.0 credit]
Selected Topics in Psychology: Psychology of Success

Psychology is the scientific study of our thoughts, feelings and behavior. Course examines a selected topic in psychology. The specific topic will vary from year to year and will be announced in advance of the registration period.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A, B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1310 H [1.0 credit]
Selected Topics in Psychology: Psych. Disorders/ Mental Health

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A, B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1402 [1.0 credit]
Issues in Feminist Social Transformation

Emphasis on the development of writing, research and analytical skills through the intensive examination of selected topics in women’s studies (e.g. popular culture, media, representation and identity, communications, women’s writing, motherhood, sexuality, health, technology, law, politics). Specific themes will vary from year to year.

Precludes additional credit for WGST 1808.
Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1405 A [1.0 credit]
Doing History: Gaming in the Middle Ages

Exploration of a historical topic in a small-class setting. Emphasis on historical thinking, writing, and analysis through the investigation of a specific historical problem. Strongly recommended for History Majors. Consult the History Department website for annual topics. (Field will depend on the topic).

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1405 B [1.0 credit]
Doing History: The Long Civil Rights Movement

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1405 D [1.0 credit]
Doing History: A Global History of WWII

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1409 [1.0 credit]
Social Changes in Canada

Interdisciplinary analysis of social change and how people change Canada, through an examination of movements like environmentalism, feminism, peace, and antiracism. Examination of broader efforts to reshape Canadian society, including culture-jamming and change through popular culture.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1502 [1.0 credit]
Selected Topics in Legal Studies: Expl Soc Img/Cul Apprchs-Law

Selected topics in legal studies.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1506 [1.0 credit]
Topics in the Study of Societies: Creative Sociology

Graphic novels, comics, podcasts, photographic essays, zines, vlogs, videos and many other types of ‘do it yourself’ forms of communication have become very popular in recent years. This course aims to use many of these ‘DIY’ media to help us to think about society through these media as well as tell stories about society through these media too.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1508 [1.0 credit]
Stress, Coping and Well-being

How do you cope with stress? We live in a stressful world, and how we cope has implications for our happiness and well-being. We will examine theory and research on how stress affects our lives, how people cope, and what it means to be well-adjusted.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A, B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S program.

FYSM 1607 [1.0 credit]
Cognitive Science: Thinking and Knowing

Interdisciplinary examination of discoveries in linguistics, psychology, philosophy, and computer science concerning the question “What is cognition”? Issues may include the mind-brain controversy, the role of language in thought, and artificial versus natural intelligence.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1608 [1.0 credit]
Selected Topics in Economics: Urban Economics

The content of this course may vary from year to year and will be announced in advance of the registration period by the Department of Economics.

Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.Econ., B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1611 A [0.5 credit]
One-Term Seminar in Political Science: Politics on Netflix

One-term seminar on selected topics in politics and governance. Topics offered may vary from year to year and will be announced in advance of the registration period by the Department of Political Science.

Precludes additional credit for FYSM 1602.
Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1611 B [0.5 credit]
One-Term Seminar in Political Science: The Politics of Things

Precludes additional credit for FYSM 1602.
Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1611 C [0.5 credit]
One-Term Seminar in Political Science: Feminism is for Everybody

Precludes additional credit for FYSM 1602.
Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.

FYSM 1611 O [0.5 credit]
One-Term Seminar in Political Science: Inuit-Canada Relations

Precludes additional credit for FYSM 1602.
Prerequisite(s): normally restricted to students entering the first year of a B.A., B.Cog.Sc., B.Co.M.S., B.Econ. or B.G.In.S. program.