FYC

 

What is FYC?

Summer Reading

 

What is FYC?

FYC stands for First Year Colloquium. Colloquium is a Latin word for conversation, so the FYC is a class that focuses on conversation about some of society’s most controversial issues.

The FYC at Manchester is required of all first-year students and is designed as an orientation to the learning culture of Manchester College. Through reading and writing assignments and lively discussion of controversial topics, students learn the basic skills for college level study---how to identify problems of thinking, analyze arguments, and evaluate whether arguments support our conclusions about important issues in a democratic society. These skills will serve you in every class you take in college and beyond.

First year students will practice this method of study on three interesting issues:

  • Immigration:  How many and why?
  • Life ethic:  Abortion and the death penalty
  • 18 or 21:  What is the appropriate age?

These topics will be supported with appropriate literature, guest speakers and films scheduled through the fall semester.

Notable speakers who have visited campus in the past to take part in the FYC:

  • Consumer advocate and two-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader spoke on the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Former governor of Virginia James Gilmore talked about national security and civil liberties.
  • Marshall Institute representative William O’Keefe gave a skeptic’s view of global warming.
  • Head of the American Civil Liberties Union Nadine Strossen talked about offensive speech and the constitutional freedom to express ourselves.