A new student’s first year at Rice will be full of new experiences, new friendships, and new opportunities. UNIV 110 is a course that has been developed by the Office of Student Success Initiatives for first-year students to explore all that Rice has to offer and to help as you transition to your new home. The class is structured around a unique format: it challenges students to utilize personal values to examine their potential major and career path, find balance in their personal and academic lives, and consider ways to get involved on campus.
WHAT IS UNIV 110—FOUNDATIONS FOR SELF-DISCOVERY & LIFELONG LEARNING?
- A course aimed at helping first year students in their academic, social, emotional, and interpersonal transition to college and to Rice.
- It is designed to facilitate critical thinking and equip students with the knowledge, tools, and resources to problem-solve and make decisions both within and outside of the classroom.
WHO SHOULD TAKE UNIV 110?
- UNIV 110 is designed for first year students. Students in UNIV 110 will receive 2 hours of elective credit.
WHAT CONTENT IS INCLUDED IN THE COURSE?
- Wellbeing in College—developing and maintaining mental, personal, & physical wellness; fiscal & time management, identifying wants and needs relating to college
- Managing Interpersonal Relationships—effective communication, conflict resolution, understanding the culture and norms of Rice, establishing healthy boundaries
- Identity Development—analysis of personal values, understanding identity (racial, gender, cultural, etc.), impact of identity on decision-making
- Academic Exploration & Career Development—learning and study styles analyses, professional guidelines and etiquette, career and major assessments, identifying pathways to special opportunities
- Leadership Development—introduction to styles, concepts, and various meanings of leadership at Rice and in professional contexts, defining experiences to shape leadership, understanding effective teamwork
WHY SHOULD I TAKE THIS COURSE?
- The transition to college is ongoing. UNIV 110 will help you develop a roadmap in which you determine how you want to shape your college experience.
- Are you more settled at Rice, but still have questions about how to optimize your Rice experience? UNIV 110 is designed to help you address important questions about the next 4 years and will connect you with the necessary resources, information, and peer support for your success.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF UNIV 110
UNIV 110 is taught by a team of upperclassmen student Peer Guides and professional staff members to provide a wide range of knowledge and connections to the resources that exist on campus to enhance your Rice experience.
LEARNING COMMUNITY
- UNIV 110 strives to create a community of learners within the classroom setting and facilitates the development of skills such as working effectively in teams, effective communication, and self- assessment and reflection.
- The course is designed to serve as a learning incubator in which students discuss, learn from, and challenge their peers.
ENGAGED LEARNING
- This is not a lecture style class! You will be expected to engage with others in your class and with the campus as a means of learning more about yourselves and Rice’s resources. This is also reflected in the course assignments, many of which are interactive.
- Throughout the course of the semester, guest speakers from across the university will share their insight on topics central to your undergraduate experience at Rice.