Academic Communities

Make new friends. Explore your intellectual interests. Achieve your academic goals. 

In an Academic Community, in your first term you take up to three classes, including Academic Foundations, with the same small group of students. These classes focus on a specific area of study that speaks to your own unique interests and goals. It’s an unmatched opportunity to meet like-minded students right away, and to explore your interests and possible major with others who share your passion for the subject.

Benefits of Joining an Academic Community
  • Connect with your peers and make friends. Pitt’s a big place. Academic Communities offer built-in opportunities to socialize and connect with like-minded students and find your fit on campus.
  • Connect with Pitt’s premier faculty. Focused groups allow for more personal interaction with our world-class faculty members.
  • Connect with the academic tools you need. College is different than high school, and you need different tools. In an Academic Community, you have peer support for writing and studying, and you’ll receive a comprehensive, robust, and supportive introduction to academic life at Pitt in the Intro to the Arts and Sciences class.
  • Connect your interests to your academic plan. When you register for an Academic Community for your first term, you’re taking on a partial course load catered to your specific interests, helping you build a meaningful and efficient schedule of classes.
  • Connect to the campus and city. You’ll get insider insight from experienced staff and other students into all of the resources and amenities that Pitt’s campus offers. And, you’ll explore the “little big” city of Pittsburgh, from investigating diverse and unique neighborhoods hands on, to attending cultural events, to exploring what opportunities await for internships and career experiences throughout town.
What You Should Know Before Joining an Academic Community
  • Academic Communities are offered only during the fall term.
  • These popular communities fill up quickly. Because space is limited, each Academic Community is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Each Academic Community includes Academic Foundations, a one-credit course exploring the importance of the liberal arts, your expectations as a new student, and strategies for academic success.
  • You can participate in exclusive Academic Community events, in addition to activities open to all first-year students.
  • There is no residential component to these Academic Communities.
  • There is no additional cost to enroll in an Academic Community.

For more information, please see the 2024 Academic Communities Brochure (Coming Soon).

Fall 2024

For information regarding each Academic Community, please click the titles below. To be part of an Academic Community, you must enroll in all the courses selected for that particular community.

 

The Exploration of Asia

Discover the history, languages, and cultures of Asia with other students who share your interest. Explore study abroad opportunities and investigate the Hillman Library’s extensive collection of materials on Asian studies. | 4 credits, plus required language credits

NOTE: To be a member of this Academic Community, students also must enroll in any level of one of the following languages: Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese.

Classes

  • RELGST 0505—Religion in Asia | MoWeFr 11:00–11:50 am (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Tu 4:00–4:50 pm (1 Credit)
Culture within Africa

Engage in rich dialogue about the intricacy and shared nature of culture. Students will specifically discuss, examine and study culture and how it manifests on the continent of Africa. Study abroad programs and academic opportunities focusing on Africa will be presented. | 4 credits

Classes

  • AFRCNA 0127—Introduction to Africa | TuTh 12:30–1:45 pm (3 Credits)
  • ANTH 0780—Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | TBA (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Fr 10:00–10:50 am (1 Credit)
Global Perspective

Dig deeper as you reach wider in this community designed to explore global contexts of social inequality. Gain insight from transnational issues informed by dominant political and economic trends and build connections to your studies both locally and abroad. | 7 credits

Classes

  • PS 0550—Introduction to Global Studies | TuTh 10:00–10:50 am (3 Credits)
  • PS 0550—Introduction to Global Studies Recitation | Fr 10:00–10:50 am (0 Credits)
  • SOC 0317—Globalization | TuTh 8:00–9:15 am (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Tu 3:00–3:50 pm (1 Credit)
Inside the Theater

Study the evolution of modern theater as a cultural mirror and gain insight into the different perspectives of actors, directors, and designers. Students will focus on movement and vocal practice as it relates to acting. Explore productions by Pitt’s Department of Theatre Arts and professional theater troupes in the city. | 7 credits

Classes

  • THEA 0810—Introduction to Dramatic Art | TuTh 1:00–2:15 pm (3 Credits)
  • THEA 0830—Introduction to Performance | MoWeFr 11:00 am–11:50 am (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Th 4:00–4:50 pm (1 Credit)
In the Museum

What role do museums play in society? What role should they play? As collectors of objects from different historical periods, peoples, and places, museums offer essential understandings of past cultures and our world. Because of their rich and yet sometimes controversial origins, can museums still spark wonder and curiosity? Explore these questions and the complexities of culture from our origins to the future. | 7 credits

Classes

  • ANTH 0582—Introduction to Archeology | MoWe 10:00–10:50 am (3 Credits)
  • ANTH 0582—Introduction to Archeology Recitation | Fr 11:00–11:50 am (0 Credits)
  • HAA 0125—Museums: Society and Inclusion? | MoWe 3:00–4:15 pm (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | We 11:00–11:50 am (1 Credit)
How to Make a Movie

“Hollywood in Pittsburgh” is a common phrase here. Discover the important role Pittsburgh has had in the production and creation of films both past and present. Learn the processes of movie making by scripting, shooting, and editing your own film. Write about your own engagement with film and film production and make your way in Pittsburgh’s vibrant film community. | 7 credits

NOTE: To enroll in this Academic Community, students must place into Seminar in Composition. ENGCMP 0205 fulfills the Seminar in Composition requirement.

Classes

  • ENGCMP 0205—Seminar in Composition: Film | MoWe 11:00 am - 12:15 pm (3 Credits)
  • FMST 0800—Filmmaking 1: Fundamentals | Fr 1:00–4:00 pm (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | We 3:00–3:50 pm (1 Credit)
Seeing the World

Through the examination of film, photography, museum exhibits, video games, and other media you will discover how artistic vision is shaped socially, culturally, and technologically. You will also learn how these media influence your own critical practice as you work to develop your individual creative voice. | 7 credits

Classes

  • ENGFLM 0401—Images, Icons, and Ideas | We 6:00–9:50 pm (3 Credits)
  • SA 0180—Digital Studio: Photography 1 | MoWe 1:00–2:40 pm (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Mo 3:00–3:50 pm (1 Credit)
Who Are You?

How and when does a person develop a sense of self? How do both psychology and philosophy help us to understand our natures and personalities? The courses in this community will provide a multifaceted approach to finding answers to these questions. | 7 credits

Classes

  • PHIL 0010—Concepts of Human Nature | TuTh 9:00–9:50 am (3 Credits)
  • PHIL 0010—Concepts of Human Nature Recitation | Mo 10:00–10:50 am (0 Credits)
  • PSY 0010—Introduction to Psychology | TuTh 1:00–2:15 pm (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | We 10:00–10:50 am (1 Credit)
Nature/Cities/Humans 

How do humans live in harmony with each other and nature in urban areas? Explore how sustainability plays out in natural and built environments. Examine the tradeoffs, challenges, and opportunities of balancing equity, environment, and economics at the campus and city scale. | 7 credits

Classes

  • GEOL 0840—Environmental Science | MoWe 2:00–2:50 pm (3 Credits)
  • GEOL 0840—Environmental Science Recitation | Fr 1:00–1:50 pm (0 Credits)
  • URBNST 0010—Introduction to Urban Studies | MoWe 3:00–4:15 pm (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Th 3:00–3:50 pm (1 Credit)
The Beautiful Mind 

Examine the intersection of art and neuroscience by developing artistic talent while studying the brain. Consider the relationship between art and science and how they complement each other. Nothing demonstrates this like the human mind, beautiful for its neural structure and complex in its creative expression. | 7 credits

Classes

  • NROSCI 0080—Brain and Behavior | MoWeFr 9:00–9:50 am (3 Credits)
  • SA 0130—Drawing Studio 1 | TuTh 3:00–4:40 pm (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Mo 3:00–3:50 pm (1 Credit)
Neurons and Chemicals

Deepen your understanding of chemical structures and states of matter while learning about their wider application in psychopharmacology. Develop a better understanding of the basic structures of the brain and chemicals. | 8 credits

Classes

  • CHEM 0110—General Chemistry 1 | TuTh 9:30–10:45 am (4 Credits)
  • CHEM 0110—General Chemistry 1 Lab | Tu 1:00–4:50 pm (0 Credits)
  • NROSCI 0081—Drugs and Behavior | MoWeFr 1:00–1:50 pm (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Mo 4:00–4:50 pm (1 Credit)

 

Science in a Gendered World

How does gender impact the study and practice of science in our world today? What can we learn from studying how science has been pursued, practiced, and promoted historically? Consider what the historical record reveals and how an awareness of it enhances your academic studies in the sciences at the University and beyond. | 7 credits

NOTE: All students intending to take BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1 must take the pre-assessment before they can enroll in the course. Information concerning the pre-assessment can be found at BIOSC 0150 Pre-Assessment.

Classes

  • BIOSC 0150—Foundations of Biology 1 | MoWeFr 12:00–12:50 pm (3 Credits)
  • BIOSC 0150—Foundations of Biology 1 Recitation | Th 10:00–10:50 am (0 Credits)
  • GSWS 0400—Gender and Science | MoWe 9:30–10:45 am (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Th 4:00–4:50 pm (1 Credit)
Medical Humanities

Pursue your health care passion by starting with the fundamentals of biology while also discovering what literature can teach us about health care. Learn important biological functions and discuss crucial topics that inform how healthcare providers treat patients. | 7 credits

NOTE: All students intending to take BIOSC 0150 Foundations of Biology 1 must take the pre-assessment before they can enroll in the course. Information concerning the pre-assessment can be found at BIOSC 0150 Pre-Assessment.

Classes

  • BIOSC 0150—Foundations of Biology 1 | MoWeFr 3:00–3:50 pm (3 Credits)
  • BIOSC 0150—Foundations of Biology 1 Recitation | Tu 12:00–12:50 pm (0 Credits)
  • ENGLIT 0648—Narrative and Graphic Perspectives in Health Humanities | TuTh 4:00–5:15 pm (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations - Academic Community | Th 12:00–12:50 pm (1 Credit)
The Power of Leadership

Explore the many facets of leadership and how it may manifest in your personal, societal and professional spheres. What skills are most essential to being a good leader and how can we begin to cultivate those skills and talents now? | 7 credits

Classes

  • COMMRC 0520—Public Speaking | MoWeFr 12:00–12:50 pm (3 Credits)
  • SOC 0010—Introduction to Sociology | TuTh 8:00–9:15 am (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | We 1:00–1:50 pm (1 Credit)
What is Justice?

Globally, there is a longstanding history of social movements in pursuit of justice. What is justice? What role do you play in the pursuit of or hindrance of justice? In this community, you will have the opportunity to examine societal institutions, social identity, social concepts and why they all matter in the conversation around justice. | 7 credits

Classes

  • LCJS 0200—Race, Class, Gender, & The Law | Tu 6:00–8:30 pm (3 Credits)
  • SOC 0007—Social Problems | MoWe 3:00–4:15 pm (3 Credits)
  • FP 0002—Academic Foundations: Academic Community | Mo 1:00–1:50 pm (1 Credit)

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