Bard High School Early College – SEM 101 and102: First Year Seminar I and II

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

In Year 1 Seminar, we will engage with some of the events, intellectuals,and ideas that have helped shape Western civilization, along with theinfluential ideologies and values documented in its "great books". Butinstead of simply celebrating Western culture's "greatest hits", our effortsin this year-long seminar course will focus on interrogating and critiquingthe major trends in Western philosophical, religious, economic, andscientific thought. The historic influence of democracy, Christianity,capitalism, and colonialism are the major topics we will address in ourtime together. First Year Seminar will help students acquire the essentialcritical reading, thinking, and writing skills expected of students at thecollege level. Specifically, the rigor of FY Sem will teach students how toapproach challenging, thought-provoking texts with confidence; helpthem master the craft of rational-critical debate; and hone students' skill at articulating their views in both written and oral communication.Reading choices and assignments are specific to the individual instructorand will vary from section to section and year to year.