Courses Offered

FMS 115-01
MW | 2:00 – 3:15 PM 
Instructor: Ryan Ridpath 
MAC: Written Communication

This seminar explores the lessons we can derive from the myths, legends, and stories prevalent in our societies and cultures. From creation origins to the hero’s journey, myths and legends are thought to all follow a similar path. This course seeks to challenge that notion and consider what is concealed by the stories we tell. Students are expected to create their personal mythologies and build their skills in reading, writing, and forming arguments. 

FMS 115-02
TR | 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Instructor:​ Will Dodson 
MAC: Written Communication

This seminar explores the evolution of crime fiction from its literary origins in the 19th century to its pervasive presence in contemporary television. Beginning with Edgar Allan Poe’s pioneering detective tales and Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation of Sherlock Holmes, the course traces how the genre’s fascination with logic, morality, and social order evolved through the hardboiled detectives of the early 20th century, the procedural narratives of mid-century film and television, and the complex moral ambiguities of modern crime dramas such as Law & Order and CSI. Students will examine how shifting cultural anxieties—about class, gender, technology, and justice—shape the ways crime stories are told and consumed. The course concludes with a coda on the rise of true crime docuseries, considering how contemporary audiences’ appetite for “real” mystery and forensic spectacle both extends and transforms the conventions of traditional crime fiction. 

FMS 115-03
TR | 2:00 – 3:15 PM 
Instructor: Sope Kahn 
MAC: Written Communication

How does writing work within the world of Roblox? In this course, we will analyze how writing works from the perspective of the game creators and players. Through a selection of Roblox games, we will think critically about the choices of language made with awareness to the audience, context, and purpose of the game. Our analysis will stem from the field of Women’s Studies, and we will consider the intersecting forces of power that influence language and social interactions. In this course, we will work collaboratively to play the games and develop our own Roblox video game narrative.   

FMS 115-04
TR | 2:00 – 3:15 PM 
Instructor:​ Sarah Gates 
MAC: Written Communication

In the modern era, tens of millions of people have migrated from their country of origin. Why do they migrate? What struggles do they endure in transit? How do they rebuild their lives in new countries and cultures?  

In this historical overview, we will explore global migration through 21st century case studies: irregular migration from Central America, individual asylum cases from Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and the mass exodus of refugees from the Syrian Civil War.  These case studies will ground the class in human experience and then we will link that experience to wider global processes. 

FMS 115-05
TR | 12:30 – 1:45 PM 
Instructor: Christie Cary 
MAC: Written Communication

This seminar invites students to explore how horror, sci-fi, and fantasy serve as a lens to examine societal issues in American society. Through readings of novels, short stories, and graphic novels from diverse authors, students will analyze how these narratives challenge societal norms and envision alternative futures. By engaging with works from authors such as Amal El-Mohtar, Aiden Thomas, Derrick Bell, and Ted Chiang, we will investigate how these genres reflect and reshape discussions about traditional representations of marginalized communities. Writing assignments will encourage students to articulate their own perspectives, using speculative storytelling and genre fiction as a tool for social critique and personal expression, while also emphasizing the writing and revision process, reflection, and critical review. 

FMS 115-06
MW | 2:00 – 3:15 PM 
Instructor: Anne Malin Ringwalt
MAC: Written Communication

How can narrative language represent us as we attempt to tell the stories of our lives? As writers, can we ever claim to know—or tell—the truth? How do our subjective worldviews and subconscious biases inform the words we use, the ways we talk, and the stories we tell about ourselves? This class centers on how these questions can and cannot be answered, using works by Audre Lorde, Kate Zambreno, and Brandon Shimoda as formative examples and touchstones alike. Creative writing, experimental research, and collective workshop will allow us all to see our writing as a process, with truth and self-understanding as possible facets of our explorations. 

FMS 116-01
TR | 12:30-1:45 PM 
Instructor: Nacho Lopez 
MAC: Oral Communication

This is a first-year seminar taught in English that explores non-mainstream Hispanic identities, including those of Latin American indigenous peoples, European Sephardic Jews, individuals from Equatorial Guinea in Central Africa, and Filipinos in the Asian continent. It is an eye-opening course that shows the global diversity of the Hispanic world beyond the limits established by the U.S. Census. 

FMS 116-02
MW | 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Instructor: Peter Dola 
MAC: Oral Communication

From Paris to Port-au-Prince, the Francophone world isn’t all croissants and clichés. Discover the cultural secrets no one tells you. You’ll learn to question assumptions, sharpen your oral communication, and speak with confidence while navigating—and avoiding—cultural misunderstandings. 

FMS 116-03
TR | 11:00 – 12:15 PM 
Instructor: Brytani Raymond 
MAC: Oral Communication

Why do we laugh—and what does our laughter say about us? This course examines comedy as a powerful form of cultural expression, resistance, and connection. Through stand-up, satire, sketch, and storytelling, students will explore how humor both reflects and reshapes social values around gender, race, identity, and power. 

Rooted in feminist and cultural perspectives, the course invites students to analyze and perform humor that challenges norms and sparks dialogue. We’ll study comedy and satire icons such as Fanny Fern, Moms Mabley, Wanda Sykes, Ali Wong, Jonathan Van Ness, and more, alongside emerging voices who use comedy to speak truth to power. From the punchline to the protest, students will consider how laughter can foster empathy, critique injustice, and create community. 

FMS 116-04
TR| 3:30 – 4:45 PM 
Instructor: Holly Williams 
MAC: Oral Communication 

This course explores the intersection of music, poetry, and communication, using the theme of love in its many forms—romantic, familial, platonic, and self. Through analysis and performance, students will develop their public speaking and expressive skills while creating and sharing original works that communicate the emotional depth of love. No prior experience in music, writing, or performance is required—this course is open to all who are interested in exploring creative expression and communication. 

FMS 116-05
TR | 12:30 – 1:45 PM
Instructor: Caroline White 
MAC: Oral Communication 

Students will develop oral communication skills through researching issues that interest them and learning how to effectively and succinctly advocate. By expanding and complicating issues, discovering linguistic frameworks, and developing skills in argumentation, students will learn how to funnel passion into actual change. We will practice our public speaking in a supportive and encouraging environment to help make us powerful and unstoppable advocates for change! 

FMS 117-01
MW | 2:00 – 3:15 PM 
Instructor: Caroline Turner 
MAC: Civics and Community

Who gets to speak for America–and how do their words shape the nation? This Freshman Seminar course explores the rhetoric of American democracy through foundational documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers, while incorporating other voices like Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King Jr. We will trace recurring ideas and phrases–“We the People,” “liberty,” and “justice”–to see how they are invoked, contested, and reimagined across history. Students will analyze how rhetoric both reflects and reshapes American democracy, asking not only who speaks, but also who is silenced, and why. 

FMS 117-02
TR | 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Instructor: Calvin Lowery 
MAC: Civics and Community

In this class students will explore the roots and contradictions of American Democracy. Students will critically examine the founding documents and the movements advancing justice. Ultimately, this course will study how power is gained and maintained in society. 

FMS 135-01
TR | 9:30-10:45 AM
Instructor: Sarah Krive 
MAC: Health and Wellness

What if present-moment awareness without judgment could help you handle stress, find meaning, and bounce back when life gets tough? In Mindfulness, Meaning, and Resilience, we’ll explore how mindfulness works, where it comes from, and why it’s become a buzzword in health, wellness, and psychology. Together, we’ll dig into what it means to live with greater awareness, how people find meaning in challenging times, and what resilience actually looks like (spoiler: it’s not just “staying positive”). You’ll also build essential college research skills—learning how to find, read, and interpret studies on mindfulness and mental health. Along the way, you’ll try mindfulness practices for yourself and develop skills to help you stay steady and define the values that give your life meaning and purpose. 

FMS 195-01
MWF | 11:00 – 11:50 AM
Instructor: Kevin Reese
MAC: Quantitative Reasoning

New mathematics is made through proofs. This course will present key discoveries in the history of mathematics via the proofs that made these discoveries possible. We will focus on ancient Greek mathematics, with topics including the Pythagorean Theorem, irrational numbers, Euclidean geometry (geometric constructions with compass and straightedge), Archimedes’ estimate of pi, Eratosthenes’s measure of the Earth’s circumference, and the use of spherical trigonometry in astronomy. Students will need only a background in high-school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry (NC Math 1, 2, 3). 

FMS 195-02
TR | 11:00 – 12:15 PM 
Instructor: Joyce Clapp
MAC: Quantitative Reasoning

We are inundated every day with statistical information; where does that information come from, how can we interpret it, and how do we communicate it effectively? In this seminar, we will look together at real world data and statistical examples; learn more about how that information is generated; and develop skills in using quantitative evidence to communicate and justify conclusions and arguments. 

FMS 115-01
T,R | 12:30 – 1:45 PM
Instructor: Christina Cary
MAC: Written Communication

This seminar invites students to explore how horror, sci-fi, and fantasy serve as a lens to examine societal issues in American society. Through readings of novels, short stories, and graphic novels from diverse authors, students will analyze how these narratives challenge societal norms and envision alternative futures. By engaging with works from authors such as Amal El-Mohtar, Aiden Thomas, Derrick Bell, and Ted Chiang, we will investigate how these genres reflect and reshape discussions about traditional representations of marginalized communities. Writing assignments will encourage students to articulate their own perspectives, using speculative storytelling and genre fiction as a tool for social critique and personal expression, while also emphasizing the writing and revision process, reflection, and critical review.

FMS 115-02
MWF | 11:00 – 11:50 AM
Instructor:​ Catherine Sawyers
MAC: Written Communication

People, Places, & Communities is designed to celebrate the spaces and groups that shape us. We will explore how our various backgrounds and cultures impact our stories and how these experiences fuel compelling and powerful projects with writing and advocacy focuses. The assignments for this seminar prioritize the writing process: researching, drafting, revising, and reflecting on the texts we create to strengthen rhetorical skills and writing confidence. 

FMS 115-03
MWF | 10:00 – 10:50 AM
Instructor: Abigail Fitzpatrick
MAC: Written Communication

What do the Joker, Darth Vader, Voldemort, Poison Ivy, Thanos, Beetlejuice, Catwoman, Cruella de Vil, and Regina George all have in common? They’re the bad guy! In this course we’ll explore the writing and creation of the most interesting characters in fiction’s history and pop culture, and even create, write, and face our own villains. Because, let’s face it, nice guys finish last, and the good guys can be so boring.

FMS 115-04
M,W | 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Instructor:​ Calvin Lowery
MAC: Written Communication

Students will be allowed to explore different topics, choose a topic, then systematically engage in semester-long process to complete a paper that speaks to “change.”

FMS 115-05
T,R | 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Instructor: Sarah Gates
MAC: Written Communication

In the modern era, tens of millions have migrated from their country of origin. Who are these people? Why are they migrating? What struggles do they endure in transit? What challenges do they face in a new country and culture?

In this historical overview, we will explore global migration through three 21st century case studies: a case of irregular migration from Central America, an asylum case from China, and the refugee crisis from the Syrian Civil War. These case studies will ground the class in human experience and then we will link that experience to wider global processes.

FMS 116-01
T,R | 9:30 – 10:45 AM 
Instructor: Jessica Sullivan
MAC: Oral Communication

I can’t believe you just said that. Why won’t you talk to me? What do you mean that topic is “off limits”? 

We’ve all been there. We’re trying hard to have a meaningful and productive conversation with someone but are finding it difficult to make headway. Maybe you’re trying to address someone’s bias or discrimination. Maybe you’re trying to communicate your own identity, or work through challenging family dynamics. In this class, we’ll explore theories and strategies to guide us toward effective listening, conversations, and conflict resolution. You’ll have opportunities to practice ethical dialogue and will learn to clearly articulate your own positions and feelings orally. 

FMS 116-02
T,R | 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Instructor: Talia Gray
MAC: Oral Communication

As digital platforms increasingly become the site of our society’s socialization and interactions, our course will focus on how one may identify, build, engage in, and most certainly communicate within and outside of online communities. We will strategize and discuss the most effective methods of establishing community and engaging one another within communal discourse.

Our class will also serve as a learning community where we will practice various communication strategies within digital platforms to apply what we have learned through observing online social movements. Students will have the opportunity to use various mediums of communication like recorded video, face to face discussion, voiceovers, presentations, and other modes of communication relevant to digital platforms.

Developing such skills will allow for students to expand the tools available to them as they continue their education and professional careers. At the end of the course, students will have several communication strategies in their employ, understand the position of the audience and contextual factors in shaping their messages, and be able to identify online communities and their goals/functions.

FMS 116-03
T,R | 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Instructor: Elizabeth (Liz) Gardner
MAC: Oral Communication

What does it take to turn ideas into action? Harnessing the power of voice opens doors to connection, change, and deeper understanding. This course builds essential oral communication skills through a semester-long passion project, allowing exploration of a personally meaningful topic while developing public speaking, interpersonal, and group communication abilities. Craft compelling messages, engage in thoughtful dialogue, and collaborate with peers to refine and amplify ideas. Through speeches, discussions, and reflective exercises, learn to communicate ethically, adapt to diverse audiences, and advocate for what matters. The semester culminates in a final presentation, showcasing a well-researched, thoughtfully articulated message ready to make an impact.

FMS 116 -04
M,W 3:30 – 4:45 PM
Instructor: Holly Williams
MAC: Oral Communication

This course explores the intersection of music, poetry, and communication, using the theme of love in its many forms—romantic, familial, and platonic. Through analysis and performance, students will develop their public speaking and expressive skills while creating and sharing original works that communicate the emotional depth of love. No prior experience in music, writing, or performance is required—this course is open to all who are interested in exploring creative expression and communication.

FMS 135-01
T,R | 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Instructor: Jasmine DeJesus
MAC: Health and Wellness

Food is both a necessary and enriching part of the human experience. We eat not only for survival and health, but also for enjoyment and social connection. In this course, students will engage with a variety of sources, including psychology journal articles, book chapters, podcasts, documentaries, and recipes, that highlight the diverse psychological contributions and consequences of eating. Topics may include eating in infancy, family food dynamics, food

marketing, health interventions, food insecurity, social influences on food selection, moral and environmental considerations in food choice, and myths about nutrition, food choice, and health.

A key goal of the course is for students to critically evaluate health information. We will cover this in-depth early in the class and return to these tools throughout the semester using real-world examples.

FMS 135-02
MWF | 12:00 – 12:50 PM
Instructor: Alejandro Hortal
MAC: Health and Wellness

This freshman seminar explores how economic circumstances shape health and happiness. Students culturally examine global and local economic disparities and policy effects on inequality. They will identify factors affecting physical, mental, and social health; analyze wellness connections to overall well-being considering cultural differences; and critically evaluate media sources.

FMS 135-03
T,R | 9:30 – 10:45 AM
Instructor: Sarah Krive
MAC: Health and Wellness

What if present-moment awareness without judgment could help you handle stress, find meaning, and bounce back when life gets tough? In Mindfulness, Meaning, and Resilience, we’ll explore how mindfulness works, where it comes from, and why it’s become a buzzword in health, wellness, and psychology. Together, we’ll dig into what it means to live with greater awareness, how people find meaning in challenging times, and what resilience actually looks like (spoiler: it’s not just “staying positive”). You’ll also build essential college research skills—learning how to find, read, and interpret studies on mindfulness and mental health. Along the way, you’ll try mindfulness practices for yourself and develop skills to help you stay steady and define the values that give your life meaning and purpose.

FMS 183-01
T,R | 9:30 – 10:45 AM
Instructor: Randall Hayes
MAC: Critical Thinking and Inquiry in the Natural Sciences

This course attempts to bridge the gap between objective quantitative science and more subjective qualitative personal experience.  We push the boundaries in two ways: 1) by extending science into the personal realm through experiments in hypnosis and meditation, as well as a personal data collection project in the Quantified Self tradition; and 2) by asking when imagination and empathy are helpful in science, especially in medicine.  Through these lenses we will examine topics in neuroscience like sleep, stress, mood, and mental health.  Students read and present on two popular science books (with a third for students seeking Honors credit).

FMS 183-02
T,R | 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Instructor: Gayle “Hunter” Cole
MAC: Critical Thinking and Inquiry in the Natural Sciences

This course focuses on fundamental principles and concepts in several areas in the biological sciences, from molecular biology to human anatomy. It covers the scientific method, the basics of experiment design. The course culminates in students creating their own group biological portrait. With biotechnology becoming a greater part of our daily lives, there seems to be a movement in the art world to integrate art and science. Throughout the course, students become familiar with contemporary artists who use biological concepts and biological materials in their artwork. Many of these artworks reflect on how biological concepts and technologies will impact the individual, community, and society.

FMS 195-01
MWF | 11:00 – 11:50 AM
Instructor: Kevin Reese
MAC: Quantitative Reasoning

New mathematics is made through proofs. This course will present key discoveries in the history of mathematics via the proofs that made these discoveries possible. We will focus on ancient Greek mathematics, with topics including the Pythagorean Theorem, irrational numbers, Euclidean geometry (geometric constructions with compass and straightedge), Archimedes’ estimate of pi, Eratosthenes’s measure of the Earth’s circumference, and the use of spherical trigonometry in astronomy. Students will need only a background in high-school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry (NC Math 1, 2, 3).