Freshman Interest Network

As a first-year student you have the exciting opportunity to explore your interests and discover how different majors relate to the real world. Two or three courses are “linked together” to create an interactive learning experience in areas such as marine science, literature, physics, politics, ecology, mathematics and history.  Assignments and learning are coordinated with case studies, inquiry, and real-life applications emphasized as you use the knowledge in your discipline to explore the theme. FIN courses satisfy the general education requirements. In addition, through JU 101: The Dolphin Experience, you will learn about the University and how to reach maximum success as you and your FIN classmates study, learn, explore and socialize together!

Check out the Fall 2010 FIN courses below:

Out of This World

CS 150: Personal Productivity Using Technology
MWF 11:00- 11:50 am

PHYS 104: Astronomy
MWF 10:00 – 10:50 am

Taught by Professors Anne Acker and Terry Ellis

Design an extra-terrestrial colony.  Where in the solar system might it be possible or desirable to build a manned colony?  What logistics would be necessary to maintain human life and to make the colony self-sustaining?  What have we done so far?  What problems have we encountered and how should those problems need to be addressed?  Would an orbiting space station be better?  Explore these ideas and more in an astronomy course paired with a course on technology.

S3 – Sand, Surf & Slopes

CS 150: Personal Productivity Using Technology
MWF 10:00 – 10:50am

MATH 110: Mathematic of Motion & Change
MWF 9:00 – 9:50am

MSC 101: Introduction to Marine Science
MWF 11:00 – 11:50am                                                 

Taught by Professors Anne Acker, Daniel McCarthy and Chieu Duong 

Explore the diversity and interactions of marine life within our blue planet, using the living laboratory that is Jacksonville.  Use mathematical applications, biological experiments and software to fathom the mysteries of the deep.  Make the findings from your research come alive as you dive into a variety of presentation tolls that will help you share your newfound knowledge of our oceans.

High Tech/High Touch: Communication in Our World

ENGL 103: Introductory Writing
MWF 11:00 – 11:50am

CS 150: Personal Productivity Using Technology
MWF 9:00- 9:50 am

Taught by Professors Anne Acker and Mary DeFalco

We are immersed in a world of technology.  In an environment where we are expected to be available electronically to our world 24/7, are we tied down to our machines, or are we truly experiencing new freedoms?  What about genetic engineering; what does it mean to be human?  Do we need a recipe for escape from the dark side of technology?  What is the new specimen Art Movement?   These and other questions will be explored as we fuse technology with composition ~ in our ever-accelerating world of communication.

Reading, Writing & Politics

POL 205: American Government
MWF 1:00 – 1:50pm

ENGL 103: Introductory Writing
TR 11:00 – 12:15am

Taught by Professors Mary DeFalco and Stephen Baker

Senator Everett Dirksen reportedly said “Politics is a bit like sex- if you think it’s dirty you’re just not doing it right.” Students learning about the complex world of politics and how to “do it right” by expressing that knowledge through writing skills development is multi-tasking at its best.  By integrating writing assignments in ENGL 103 with the subject matter of POL 205, students will gain an understanding of American Government – past, present, and future – while developing academic writing skills in communicating what they have learned.

Self-Discovery: The Journey Begins

EDU 100: Introduction to Education
MWF 10:00 – 10:50am

ENGL 100N: Basic English
MWF 9:00 – 9:50am

Taught by Professors Mary DeFalco and Tammy Ryan

This journey will take you to unexpected places ~ so bring your wits, your paper and your pens!  Along with your professor guides and your traveling companions, you will create a roadmap to success, exploring readings from psychology, history, sociology, the world of business, along with other disciplines.  You will learn strategies, techniques and clues as you explore the basics of effective academic reading.  And you will develop academic writing skills using the same reading materials!  Who will you become as a JU student?  What will you discover?  Your journey begins now….

Shopping, Sports, and Snickers:  Choices in Economics

ENGL 103: Introductory Writing
MWF 10:00 – 10:50am

ECON 201: Principles of Macroeconomics
TR 9:30 – 10:45am

Taught by Professors Elizabeth Porter and Raymond Clines

How do we make decisions?  How do we decide to get out of bed in the morning?  How do we decide how to spend our money?  How do we choose which person to date?  In Shopping, Sports & Snickers, you will explore how the science of decision-making relates not only to the operation of the economy but to practically everything in your life!  How do you choose what to buy, or what not to buy?  How do sports teams choose how much to pay their athletes?  How do we decide whether or not to eat that last piece of delicious, yummy chocolate?

A Trip to the Moon: Encountering Film and Physics

FVA10: Introduction to Film
TR 1:30 – 3:15pm                                                             

PHYS 100: Conceptual Physics
TR 9:30 – 10:45am

Taught by Professors Carolina Conte and Paul Simony

While “A Trip to the Moon” was an artistic dream in film in 1902, it became a technological reality in 1969! In this FIN collaboration, we will be tracing encounters between Film and Physics ~ sound and color ~ special effects ~ dream and imagination ~ a film or a scientific possibility?  In this adventurous course you not only will be seeing and questioning, but also creating your own short film and your own rocket!

Also, click to check out our 2010 Common Reading Program.


What do FIN Professors say?

  • "This program builds friendships and connections between the individual and the people around them with opportunities the average college student is not given."
     ~ Dr. H. Pordeli
  • "I see and hear students in the hall talking about not only their assignments from our linked courses but planning recreational activities."
     ~ Dr. Barbara Doyle
  • "The students definitely know each other, as evidenced by all the conversations happening in the hallway and classroom before class begins."
     ~ Dr. Pam Crawford

What do FIN students say?

  • "We learn more because all professors are on the same page…"
  • "We learn more because professors work together…"
  • "Students become very close and working together becomes easier…"
  • "In my FIN class I have a group of friends while my roommate is still meeting people..."
  • "I love the FIN class.  It’s great that the professors collaborate…"