BY HARLAN LEBO
UCLA Today
Beginning this fall, faculty in the College of Letters and Science and the professional schools will be teaching a broad range of small undergraduate seminars, primarily for freshmen.
The new program, titled "Fiat Lux" ("Let There Be Light," the motto of the University of California), will enroll about 15 students in each course, with preference given to entering freshmen.
"We called the seminar program 'Fiat Lux' because we want to illuminate the many paths of discovery at UCLA available to our undergraduates, in particular for our newest students," said Chancellor Albert Carnesale.
Each Fiat Lux seminar will meet at least 10 hours each quarter. Graded pass/no pass, the seminars will be valued at one unit of course credit.
The new seminars evolved from the seminar series UCLA created after the terrorist attacks. The new seminars will not require an emphasis on terrorism; faculty across campus are being invited to prepare a seminar for undergraduates on any subject.
"The Sept. 11 seminars helped our students comprehend the issues surrounding terrorism and its implications," said Carnesale, who taught seminars on national security issues, his academic field. "Now, Fiat Lux will continue those critical links between faculty and undergraduates in the energized setting of small seminars, but through a much broader program of courses and topics."
The university plans to offer 150 seminars in 2002-03; 50 each academic quarter.
"The Fiat Lux seminars will engage undergraduates in challenging discussions that foster critical thinking about the broad range of topics explored at UCLA," said Brian Copenhaver, the College's provost. "The new seminars will provide an enhanced opportunity for undergraduates to experience the most important strength of a premier research university: learning from experts who create new knowledge through discovery."
Added Carnesale: "Our ultimate goal, when the Fiat Lux program is fully developed, is to offer a place for every freshman who wants to enroll."
A class submittal form is available online at www. college.ucla.edu/fiatlux.
