Program Overview

First-Year Programs

The Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success offers various first-year programs to support students in their academic journey.

First-Year Interest Groups

First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs) provide an opportunity for students to explore their interests and develop critical thinking skills.

Visual Narrative: Manga to American Comics

This FIG is led by Ben Saunders, FIG Instructor, and Eryn, FIG Assistant.

• The program includes a seminar, UGST 109 FIG Seminar, which meets on Thursdays from 15:00-15:50 in MCK 123.
• Students will study verbal-visual storytelling, develop analytical methods, and acquire media literacy skills.
• The course also covers the origins and historical development of American comics, key creators, and the economic conditions of comic book production.

Courses in the FIG

• UGST 109 FIG Seminar: Thursday, 15:00-15:50, MCK 123, 1 credit
• ENG 280 Introduction to Comic Studies:
  • Monday/Wednesday, 16:00-17:20, 204 TYKE, 4 credits
  • Friday, 14:00-14:50, 41 LIB, +Dis
• This course introduces students to the analysis of comics and graphic narratives, covering poetics, genres, forms, history, and the academic discipline of Comics Studies.
• The course fulfills requirements for Arts & Letters, English Major, Lower-Division Elective, English Minor, and Comics Studies Minor.

Undergraduate Education and Student Success

The division offers various resources and initiatives to support undergraduate education and student success, including:

• Accessible Education
• Advising
• First Year and Transition Student Experience
• Academic Success
• Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships
• Student Success Initiatives

Campus Resources

The university provides various campus resources, including:

• Webmail Duckweb
• Canvas
• News Events
• Maps Directions
• Class Schedule
• Academic Calendar