First-Year Studies Program
Lake Forest College's Forester Fundamental Curriculum begins with the First-Year Studies (FIYS) Program, which is a new student’s first connection with the academic community on campus. It introduces first-year students to new friends, challenging and engaging professors, and learning opportunities and resources available in nearby Chicago.
All first-year students at Lake Forest take First-Year Studies as one of their four fall courses. The First-Year Studies Program offers a variety of sections that represent a wide range of topics from many different academic departments and programs. They represent the passionate interests of their instructors, who want to introduce students to a new topic in an intimate academic setting.
Regardless of their specific topic, all sections of this course emphasize key aspects of academic writing, including focus, flow, depth, use of source material, and conventions; critical thinking skills, including analysis, synthesis, and judgment; information-gathering and research skills, including the use of a variety of research tools and the resources of the library; and information literacy, including the effective and responsible use of information.
Students should feel free to take any section of First-Year Studies that interests them, regardless of their intended major. First-Year Studies is not an introduction to any major, but an introduction to college-level work. As such, First-Year Studies satisfies no major or minor requirements, may not serve as a pre-requisite for other courses in a major or minor program, and does not have pre-requisites.
While diverse in subject matter, all sections of First-Year Studies share several aims:
- They are small in size, in order to encourage discussion and interaction.
- They are intense and challenging, stressing critical thinking and writing along with the development of good work habits and academic skills. (Note: All First-Year Studies courses count toward the First-Year Writing Requirement).
- The instructor serves as the student’s academic advisor for at least their first year at the College.
Through interactive sessions, first-year students engage with the knowledge, skills, and habits to transition successfully to the academic and community expectations of Lake Forest College and to thrive personally, academically, and socially, while preparing for successful adulthood and careers.
Lab experiences support students' transition to college by promoting:
- Resource awareness and utilization
- Habits of success and problem-solving
- Community, belonging, and interpersonal skills
- Identity, purpose, and growth mindset
- Personal responsibility
All first-year students are enrolled in a section of the First-Year Studies lab during the fall semester. The content of all lab sections is identical.
FIYS in Chicago
FIYS students stand inside the Charnley-Persky House in Chicago’s Gold Coast, while listening to an architectural and archaeological tour of the site.
FIYS students stand outside the Charnley-Persky House in Chicago’s Gold Coast, while listening to an architectural and archaeological tour of the site.
FIYS students stand next to a “relic” of the 1871 Chicago Fire—a chunk of iron, stone, and brick, in Lincoln Park.
Dr. Zachary Cook's FIYS class traveled to Chicago's 47th ward to meet with Alderman Matt Martin.
Stephanie Caparelli's class met with system impacted people who spoke on police brutality, incarceration, and re-entry: Anthony Spaulding and Arnold Joyner.
Stephanie Caparelli's class met with system impacted people who spoke on police brutality, incarceration, and re-entry: Anthony Spaulding and Arnold Joyner.
Stephanie Caparelli's class met with system impacted people who spoke on police brutality, incarceration, and re-entry: Anthony Spaulding and Arnold Joyner.
Professor Groeger's FIYS class "Why College? A Chicago Story" took the Metra downtown to tour the Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago's oldest public library.
FIYS class "Why College? A Chicago Story" ate lunch at the Flats and learned about the opportunity to spend a semester living in Chicago as part of the In the Loop program.
Professor Zeller's FIYS class "Sacred Spaces in Chicago" dined with Hannah Michal ’09 at her office at Lumen Technologies in the heart of the Loop.
FIYS class "Sacred Spaces in Chicago" visited two historic churches: Old St. Pat’s and Methodist Temple.
"Sacred Spaces in Chicago" visited two historic churches: Old St. Pat’s and Methodist Temple.
The FIYS "Public Policy" class enjoyed a Metra ride to Chicago and lunch at Eataly.
Prof. Danielle Cohen's FIYS class "The Politics of Population" took in Chicago's world-famous architecture and visited the Chicago Architecture Center.
FIYS class "Transatlantic Cinema" took a water taxi the Chicago River, ate at a Cuban restaurant, Cafecito, and visited the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
FIYS class "Music and Math," waiting for the train to Chicago/Adler Planetarium.
FIYS class "The Past and Future of a Plague," heading to the Public Health Initiative of Metropolitan Chicago.
FIYS class "Public Art in Chicago" at the train station in Lake Forest heading to Cloud Gate and The Agora Installation.
FIYS Field Trips
Students from the "Voices of Leadership" FIYS seminar get to know each other.
First Years Studies class met with former U.S. Representatives Democrat David Skaggs of Colorado and Republican Jim Kolbe of Arizona.
First Year Studies students in FIYS class "Police Reform" visited Chicago City Hall and met with Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Elena Gottreich.
First Year Studies students give back as five students traveled to volunteer at a community recycling event with 40th ward Alderperson Andre Vasquez.
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Contact us
Danielle Cohen
Director of First-Year Studies
Brown Hall 327
dcohen@lakeforest.edu