Special Topics in the Liberal Arts.

COLA courses are 1-credit seminars capped at 18 first-year students, all of whom are assigned to the instructor as advisees. They are topically focused on an area identified by the faculty member; they also include a significant advising component centered on undergraduate issues (e.g., choosing a major, study abroad opportunities, undergraduate research, etc.). For detailed descriptions see http://college.as.virginia.edu/COLA

Critical Reading, Writing, and Reasoning is designed to strengthen your thinking, reading, and writing skills across genres and disciplines, with an emphasis on critical analysis. Through a series of increasingly complex assignments, we will demystify and engage interdisciplinary academic discourse. The aim of this class is to stir your intellectual inquiry and provide you with an inter-disciplinary context for your academic exploration.

Academic Realities & Strategies for Success is a 1-credit, graded course that introduces students who have struggled academically in the previous semester to effective study strategies, University resources & life skills that support student success. Class covers a range of content relevant to academic performance, including time & stress management, critical thinking skills, & life strategies for achieving success in the college environment.

Academic Analysis and Research is a three-credit course providing first-year college students with the experience of analyzing, researching, and developing ideas through close readings, class discussions, presentations, and academic writing.The goal of the class is to achieve improved fluency in critical thinking, reading, and writing, through close reading and annotation; intensive and recursive writing; and focused discussion. Prerequisites: LASE 2110.

Skills of Scholarship is a three-credit course designed to help you expand your critical thinking skills, including building your awareness of the process of observing, analyzing, and reasoning. This course will strengthen your ability to evaluate arguments, read critically, manage academic goals, and communicate effectively in written and spoken form. Prerequisites: LASE 2110 and LASE 3110.