Psychosocial dynamics of adolescents and young adults. Topics include physical and maturational development, theories of adolescence, family and peer group influences, sexuality, cognitive and vocational development, schooling and youth culture. Focus on basic principles and issues. Prerequisite: introductory psychology.

White supremacist groups have seen surges in membership in recent years, and college-aged youth are one of their primary targets. With social media etc., it is easier than ever for them to get their ideas to the broader public and into mainstream politics. This course aims to give you the knowledge to recognize contemporary white supremacist movements, which have dramatically changed tactics from years prior. We will explore the history of these groups in the US, the major changes in image and strategies, and the global rise of white supremacist politics.

This course is specially designed to facilitate a smooth transition for first-year students into university life, while simultaneously providing an introductory exploration of public policy. We will explore various campus resources, covering topics from academic advising, library and research facilities, student wellness, and support services, to extracurricular activities and engagement opportunities. We will also consider a broad overview of public policy, exploring its foundation, processes, and real-world impacts.

This course will provide first year students with an introduction to UMass and campus resources while also learning about the four fields of anthropology: cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Specifically, we will focus on biological anthropology through hands-on activities using specimens and discussing the scientific method. Get ready to learn more about yourself and the Human Species!

This course will introduce students to the traditions and expectations of the Journalism Program, as well as resources and opportunities that will help them as they move through the major. Through workshops and exercises, students will meet faculty, get to know campus media and career services staff, learn about the writing and academic expectations of the program.

Computer science and its related fields are known for their high intensity and transitioning into a new academic environment can often be challenging. The Stress Management seminar is designed to provide students with practical strategies and support systems to help them navigate the unique challenges that they may encounter as computer science/informatics students. This seminar aims to foster a proactive approach to stress management, promoting a healthy and balanced student experience.

This seminar will explore broadly-available AI through the lens of ChatGPT. We will take a look at how it does what it does, how it can be fun and useful, how it can be ethically concerning, and how it could change our lives.

This first year seminar will explore questions related to ethical issues in a current computing context using scenarios and responses as enacted in three Star Trek series: Star Trek (the original series), Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Picard. Star Trek has impacted generations of viewers, inspiring technological development, and demonstrating leadership in the capacity for science fiction to offer meaningful social commentary.

This class will spend time presenting ideas, participating in activities, and engaging in discussion around acclimating to the first-year at CICS and, more generally, at UMass. Readings and activities will expose students to some of the current topics in computing, the resources and experience of being a CICS student, and let students build community with their peers in and outside the lecture. This includes meeting with the Teaching Assistants of other courses, learning about the numerous academic and industry career paths via guest speakers, and group discussions to meet your peers.

When scientists get stuck on a particular design or algorithm to solve a problem, they often take inspiration from nature. By studying and mimicking natural processes, computer scientists have developed innovative techniques and algorithms to solve complex problems, optimize resources, and enhance the performance and efficiency of computing systems. In this seminar, we will explore some fundamental design principles of nature, such as the behavior of ants, the structure of trees, and the organization of neurons, and how they can be applied to the design of computing systems.