DePaul University's Liberal Studies Program: Discover Chicago

Many universities have "Freshman Seminar" programs.  In fact I say that the course I took on Latin American Society and Literature my first term freshman year--chosen because the university sent a brochure during the summer to all incoming students and the course sounded interesting and I knew nothing about Latin America--started me on the path of learning for myself.  It was probably the most important academic experience I had.

DePaul University is comprised of separate schools and colleges, but has a common liberal studies curriculum for all the students, a core curriculum for freshman, a seminar on multiculturalism for sophomores, experiential learning junior year, and a capstone course senior year.  One of the elements of the program for first year students is a course they call Discover (or Explore) Chicago.

The courses are taught by professors and "Explore" Chicago by linking academic study to the here and now through field trips and presentations on various topics from food, biking, housing, privilege, Queer, the "natural" environment, sustainability, sports, music, blackness, and others--46 different courses!

What a great way for a student to be introduced to the city where they will be going to school for the next four years.

-- LSP 101, Discover Chicago: course descriptions, Fall 2012