College of Arts and Sciences students presented their First-Year Seminar (FYS) projects at the Annual FYS Symposium Friday, Dec. 8, in the Gengras Student Union. A&S alumni and faculty judged the students’ collaborative presentations in five categories, and the Student Choice Award was selected by FYS students in attendance at the symposium.
Here are this year’s award-winning student presentations and the name of the faculty member who taught the course:
Best Demonstration of Creative Thinking
Creating Media – Program Director and Associate Professor of Cinema Lauren Cook
Best Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Storytelling – Associate Professor of English Erin Striff
Most Interdisciplinary Presentation
Social Media: Boosting or Busting Society? – Associate Professor of Communication Adam Chiara
Most Professional Presentation
Dialoguing with the Religious Other - Professor of Italian and Renaissance Studies Maria Frank
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Award
Pop Culture, Identity, and You – School of Communication Director and Associate Professor of Communication Jack Banks
Student Choice Award
Beauty, Body Image, and Feminism – Department Co-Chair and Associate Professor of Psychology Mala Matacin
All first-year A&S students are required to take the FYS course to help develop and enhance writing, speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Students select an FYS course that interests them from a list of diverse topics.
Students whose work was recognized in the award-winning categories will be recognized at the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Awards in March 2024.