Transfer Student Guide to the Forester Fundamental Curriculum (FFC)

These courses have as their principal aim the development of basic skills in writing, critical reading, analysis, and oral communication. The First Year Studies course is waived for all transfer students coming in with 7.0 or more Lake Forest credits (27.0 or more semester hours). A First Year Writing course may be required for students with fewer than 7.0 credits and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A First Year Studies course is required for all incoming first-year students, including those with transfer credit. Transfer students who have fewer than 4.0 transferrable credits will be required to take First Year Studies.

Students must complete one course in each of the five areas listed below. Each course must come from a different department or interdisciplinary area (i.e. the requirement must be fulfilled with five courses with five different course prefixes).

Students must complete one course in each of the two areas listed below. US Domestic Pluralism courses examine diversity issues within the United States, while Global Perspectives courses study diversity and cultures of other nations and regions. Foreign Language courses at the Intermediate level or above can qualify as Global Perspectives courses.

Students must complete at least one course in each of the three component areas. Foreign Language courses may qualify as a Speaking-Intensive course if the course content is focused on the spoken language.

The goal of this requirement is to ensure that students integrate their traditional classroom learning with experientially-based work. By connecting theory and practice, students develop new skills and extend their knowledge and training to unfamiliar tasks and situations beyond the classroom environment. Experiential Learning activities include approved off-campus study programs, for-credit internships, senior theses, and independent research. In general, this requirement cannot be fulfilled with transfer credit.

A senior studies course, also known as a senior “capstone,” is a culminating experience in the student’s major. The course emphasizes writing and speaking and encourages integration of the methods and content explored in the major. This requirement cannot be fulfilled with transfer credit