The following are the goals of the FYS program. Each student should have made significant progress on each goal by the end of the semester. Individual sections will have section-specific goals, but these are the program goals. They are shared with, and expected of, every FYS student.

Critical Reading
FYS will facilitate student development of skills that will enable students to read and comprehend texts in a variety of styles and varying levels of complexity.

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of FYS, the student will be able to:

• Read a text closely, annotate that text and accurately summarize key information presented in that text.
• Use the text as a source for class discussion, including asking and answering thought and idea-provoking questions (as opposed to detail/fact questions).
• Use the text as a source for written work, including evaluating the text, placing the text within the context of other course texts, and reflecting upon the text.

Writing
FYS will facilitate student development of written arguments.

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of FYS, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of writing as a process by working through the stages from planning through completion.
• Develop an arguable position and support that position with evidence.

Oral Communication
FYS will facilitate development of skills that will increase student comfort level in oral communication.

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of FYS, the student will be able to:

• Participate in class discussion actively and responsibly.
• Prepare and give a presentation, giving attention to effective use of voice, body and language.
• Keep the audience actively involved in the presentation.

Collaborative Work
FYS will facilitate development of skills that will enable the student to work effectively as part of a small group.

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of FYS, the student will be able to:

• Participate actively and responsibly as a member of a small group.
• Develop an awareness of group dynamics.
• Recognize problems and seek solutions through compromise and conflict resolution.

Information Literacy
FYS will facilitate development of skills necessary for effective use of information sources.

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of FYS, the student will be able to:

• Use appropriate technology to solve information problems.
• Execute online database searches to find information appropriate for academic work.
• Find, evaluate and effectively use information sources.