Program Structure

The First-Year Program comprises both the Fall and Spring academic semesters.  The 9-credit curriculum includes a First-Year Seminar (3 credits) and 6 credits of First-Year Writing.

The First-Year Seminar (3 credits) 

First-Year Seminars are participatory introductions to the study of the liberal arts and count towards the fulfillment of  the Humanistic Reasoning Capability of the College’s General Education degree requirements.  Completion of the First-Year Seminar with an earned grade of at least C- is an undergraduate degree requirement at Manhattanville College. 

The following courses fulfill the First-Year Seminar requirement:

• FYP 1001 First-Year Seminar I: First-Year Seminars are topical or thematic, reflecting faculty interest and/or expertise. Seminar topics and themes are diverse and reflect the broad spectrum of the undergraduate liberal arts curriculum. First-Year Seminars are not survey or introductory courses in any particular discipline, but rather are seminar-style and participatory. 
• FYP 1100 Principles vs. Prejudices:  This seminar supports first year students in their transition to Manhattanville College through the development of critical thinking skills as well as introducing them to the liberal arts. Through collaborative, experiential learning and an investigation of the college's mission and history of social action, the course will foster a sense of belonging to the Manhattanville community. Activities, texts and assignments will encourage students to investigate the theme of principles versus prejudices and support them in working to clarify the purpose, meaning and direction of their academic careers.
• CSCH 1030 The Power of Prejudice (honors seminar): Using Gordan Allport's classic book, The Nature of Prejudice, as a focal point, this course explores religious texts and other readings as a way to understand how prejudice influences intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and intergroup dynamics. In particular, the course will provide opportunities for students to analyze racism and sexism in this regard. Throughout the course, consideration will be given to Manhattanville College's mission to "educate students to become ethically and socially responsible leaders for the global community".
• CSCH 1100 Principles vs. Prejudices (honors seminar): This first-year honors seminar investigates the origins, natures and impacts of our prejudices. Why and how and with what consequences do individuals and groups differentiate themselves from "the other?" How can we develop and practice principled lives in our college community and in the world beyond? We will explore these questions in readings, research projects and learning activities; and students will be encouraged to examine and develop their personal understanding of living by principles vs. prejudices.  

First-Year Writing (6 credits)

Within the First-Year Program, Academic Writing faculty instruct students in the foundations of academic writing, including grammar, style, and structure, as well as strategies for written analysis, persuasion, and argumentation. First-year writing continues for a full year; the second semester course is devoted to the development of techniques for research and critical composition that will foster success throughout students’ educational programs.

Students are placed in and must successfully complete two of the following 3-credit first-year writing courses: