UNIV 101YHow to Live a Meaningful Life

Catalog

HOW TO LIVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE - - - The UNIV 101 & UNIV 104 courses offer a blended course format which includes two primary components, one focusing on the academic topic, taught by a faculty member with the second component devoted to new student transition topics, taught by a professional staff partner instructor. This freshman seminar course will explore an intriguing intellectual topic, help freshmen hone critical thinking and writing skills, and assist students in making a successful transition to university life. - - - In this course, you will join a learning community of peers on a journey of self-discovery guided by Dr. Emily Esfahani-Smith's Four Pillars of Meaning. You will start by building belonging and connections that will support you throughout your college experience. You will reflect on the story of you, who you are and who you want to be, then, find your purpose by identifying your personal strengths, values and passions. We will align these with societal issues of interest to identify career paths that maximize life fulfillment. Our journey will culminate with an exploration of transcendence through practices from a variety of philosophies, e.g., Sufism, Zen Buddhism, and modern science on happiness, mindfulness, gratitude, and resilience. The goal of this journey is to equip students with strategies that will help them build community, foster personal development, deal effectively with adversity, contribute to society, and live a more enlightened, meaningful life. NOTE: All UNIV 101 and UNIV 104 courses are restricted to students in their FIRST SEMESTER at the University. Students MAY NOT register for more than one UNIV 101 or UNIV 104 course.