University Seminars

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c/o Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400308
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4308
www.virginia.edu/provost/USEMS.html

University Seminars (USEM) are designed to give first-year students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and explore new ideas in an environment that encourages interactive learning and intensive discussion. The seminars are based on ideas that have changed the way we think about our relation to the world around us. The seminars are given by prominent faculty in departments and schools across the University, carry two or three credits, and are restricted during the initial course enrollment period to first-year students; if space is available, second-, third-, and fourth-year students may enroll. USEM courses numbered 1580 are considered College courses and thus count as elective credit among the 102 College credits required for the degree. USEM courses numbered 1570 are considered non-College and thus do not count among the 102 College credits required for the degree. College students are limited to no more than one USEM course per semester. Refer to the course listing in SIS for specific offerings each semester.