Micro-Seminars
Are you curious about what a college-level class experience will be like? Imagine learning about cutting-edge research from USC faculty before the first week of school. Perhaps you want to discuss current political and social issues, explore creative works of art, or understand the cultural diversity of Los Angeles. These are just a few examples of the micro-seminars available to you as part of the USC Welcome Experience.
What are Micro-Seminars?
Micro-seminars are mini-workshops or small-group sessions that highlight a specialized topic in a short time. Structured as two 90-minute sessions, these seminars are designed to give you the chance to meet one faculty member and other first-year students and engage in an academic environment before classes begin. Attendance for most seminars is limited to just 20 students to ensure thoughtful discussion and the opportunity to meet peers with similar interests.
Faculty from across all schools and disciplines at USC are leading a micro-seminar. While you may attend a seminar that jump-starts your fields of study, you are not required to sign up for a seminar based on your major. This is learning for the sake of learning, so there is no required homework or grading. Some faculty may suggest short readings in advance to add to your understanding of the topic.
Micro-Seminars have two parts. You select one topic that is presented over two days. You must attend both parts.
- Part 1: Thursday, August 17, 2023 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm (PST)
- Part 2: Friday, August 18, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:30 am (PST)
- Part 2 is a continuation of Part 1 – same professor, topic, and peers.
Registration
To register, you must login with your USC Net ID. You can only register in one micro-seminar topic. If a seminar is at capacity, you have the option to place yourself on the wait list. All seminar content and availability are subject to change. The last day to register is Sunday, August 13.
All confirmed registrants will receive information about the classroom location their Micro-Seminar about 24 hours before the start of the first session.
Questions? Contact Academic Honors and Fellowships at ahfstaff@usc.edu
Schedule
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Seminar Topics
Fall 2023 Micro-Seminar Topics categorized by school below.
Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism
Building a Culture of Dialogue
Marcela Amiune, Adjunct Professor, Communications and Journalism
How to Write a Creative Brief
Rafael Bracero, Part-Time Lecturer of Communication
“Is This the Real Life?”: What Freddie Mercury Can Teach Us About Communication
Julianna Kirschner, Part-Time Lecturer of Communication
Was it Good for You Too? How We Do (and Do Not) Talk About Sex
Jillian Pierson, Clinical Professor of Communication and Director, Undergraduate Studies
Video Boot Camp (aka Introduction to Video Practices and Techniques)
Jonathon Stearns, Adjunct Instructor
Chan Division of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
Neuroscience of Otherness and Belonging
Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, Professor at the Brain and Creativity Institute, the Department of Psychology, and the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Know Thyself: The Art and Science of Self-Awareness
Ashley Uyeshiro Simon, OTD, OTR/L, MSCS, Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
Diego Lopez, OTD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
Davis School of Gerontology
Health Justice, Ageism, Intersectionality and…Sex
Paul Nash, Instructional Associate Professor of Gerontology
First Step to Successful College Life: Speaking and Listening from the Heart
Min-Kyuong Rhee, Instructional Assistant Professor of Gerontology
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences
Arts & Humanities
Art and Activism in the AIDS Crisis
Joshua Mitchell, Postdoctoral Scholar – Teaching Fellow, Department of American Studies and Ethnicity
Forging Shakespeare
Emily Anderson, Professor of English and College Dean of Undergraduate Education
Engaging South LA: An Introduction to Ethical Community Engagement for Social Sustainability
Emily Artiano, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing, Writing Program
Ben Pack, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing, Writing Program
Polish and Eastern European Video Game Industry-Cultural Analysis
Andrzej Brylak, Postdoctoral Scholar – Teaching Fellow, Slavic Languages and Literatures
Introduction to Urban Nature Poetry
Amy Cannon, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing, Thematic Option
Knowing What Not to Know: State Censorship and Civil Resistance in East Asia
Li-Ping Chen, Postdoctoral Scholar – Teaching Fellow, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
Natural Sciences
The Branches that Lead to STEM: Increasing Access for Underrepresented Groups in the STEM Academic Pipeline
Rita Barakat, Lecturer in Neurobiology
The Obesity Epidemic: Current and Future Predictions: Problems and Solutions
Robert (Bob) Girandola, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Human Biology
Why Facts Don’t Matter: How to Change Minds in our Changing Climate
Victoria Petryshyn, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Environmental Studies, Environmental Studies Program
There is No “Planet B” in our Solar System
Vahe Peroomian, Professor (Teaching) of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Reimagining Plastics for a Sustainable Future
Barry Thompson, Professor of Chemistry
Megan Fieser, Gabilan Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Social Sciences
Struggles with Speech: Atypical Voice and Hearing
Dani Byrd, Professor of Linguistics
Face To Face: A Primer On Ethical Conversation
James Clements, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing, Writing Program
Religious Liberty and the New Supreme Court
Antonio Elefano, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing, Writing Program
Spotify vs. Vinyl: What Music Distribution Can Teach Us About the New Economy
Andrew De Silva, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing, Writing Program
Stress and the Mind-Body Connection
Darby Saxbe, Professor of Psychology
Mind, Body, Heart: Introduction to Mindfulness for Transgender, Non-binary and Gender Non-conforming Students
Martin Vitorno, Lecturer in Physical Education & Mind Body Health
Gould School of Law
The Art of Public Speaking: Rise to Greater Heights in Your Community Contributions!
Nicole Webster, Part-Time Lecturer, Law
Iovine and Young Academy
Lives Not Grades: The Story of Frontida Records (Electronic Health Records for the Next 7 Billion)
Scott Armanini, Part-Time Lecturer
What’s Hot in Video Games Right Now
Chris Swain, Assistant Professor of Teaching
Keck School of Medicine
Key Concepts in Public Health Disaster Management and Response: Lessons Learned from the CoVID-19 Pandemic
Rita Burke, Associate Professor of Clinical Population and Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, Population and Public Health Sciences
Humans 2.0: How Genetic Engineering and Stem Cells will Alter the Future of the Human Race
Gage Crump, Director of the PhD Program in Developmental Biology, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine, Chair of the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Creating LGBTQ+ Affirming Classrooms: Building Awareness + Communication Strategies
Riley Davis, Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences (Practitioner)
School Supplies: Learning How to Effectively Respond to Emotions and Challenges During College to Support Engagement and Success in College and Beyond
Michelle Dexter, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences (Clinical Educator)
Learning How To “Fight on” Using Positive Psychology
Kelly Greco, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences (Clinical Educator)
Present, Past, Future, at the Same Time: Intergenerational Trauma and Mental Well-being
Dakari Quimby, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & The Behavioral Sciences (Clinician Educator)
Befriend with Your Anxiety to Succeed in College
Jiyun Kang, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences (Clinical Educator), Student Health – Counseling and Mental Health Services
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine: An Update
Francesca Mariani, Associate Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Accessible Eye Care: Creating Solutions for the World to See
Kent Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Leventhal School of Accounting
Learning the Risk Management Basics Through Elon Musk
Kristen Jaconi, Associate Professor of the Practice in Accounting
Accounting: The Real Deal-Meet your Future Employer
Zivia Sweeney, Associate Professor of Clinical Accounting
Marshall School of Business
How To Be More Uncertain: Statistical Thinking in the Age of Big Data
Jacob Bien, Associate Professor of Data Sciences and Operations
Sustainability and Food: A Growing Entrepreneurial Opportunity
Jeremy Dann, Part-Time Lecturer of Entrepreneurship
Roski School of Art & Design
Our Sustainability Challenge: Reimagining a Good Life
China Adams, Assistant Professor of Teaching
Jerome Chou, Senior Planning Principal, Kounkuey Design Initiative
Rossier School of Education
Climate Change at the Intersection of Sustainability for Environmental Justice
Paula Carbone, Teaching Professor of Education, MAT@USC
School of Cinematic Arts
Authenticity in Filmmakers & Creatives: Speaking About Yourself & Your Work
John Palmer, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Film & Television Production
Anatomy of An Impossibly Inclusive TV Show: “POSE”
Deborah Seibel, Adjunct Associate Professor, John Wells Division of Writing for Film & Television
Sound and Music for the Movies in an Age of Discontent
William Whittington, Assistant Chair of Cinema and Media Studies
What’s In A Voice? Vocal Tips & Tricks To Make You More Confident, Successful, & Happy
Melissa Treinkman, Assistant Professor in Musical Theatre Vocal Performance
Sol Price School of Public Policy
Using Geography to Address Problems Across Many Disciplines Using Geographic Information Systems
Barry Waite, Adjunct Professor, Department of Public Policy and Management
Bonnie Shrewsbury, Adjunct Professor, Department of Public Policy and Management
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Housing and Homelessness in LA County: A Unique Way to Create Affordable Homes
Samuel Mistrano, Associate Teaching Professor of Social Work
Thornton School of Music
Inspired or Infringing? Music in the Courtroom
Jane Davidson, Part-Time Lecturer in Music Industry
Music, Artificial Intelligence, and Intellectual Property Law
Joanna Demers, Professor, Musicology
Listen Until You Understand: Sounding and Hearing Black American Music
Jonathan Gomez, Assistant Professor, Musicology
USC Libraries
Exploring Los Angeles through Craftivism
Andrzej Rutkowski, Acting Head, LIPA Library and Visualization Specialist, USC Libraries
Viterbi School of Engineering
Hack The Planet – Cyber Investigations Where Everything Gets Own3d
Pierson Clair, Part-Time Lecturer of Information Technology, Information Technology Program (ITP)
Studying Engineering
Oussama Safadi, Professor of Engineering Practice, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Lives Not Grades – how to launch a social innovation startup while at USC
Daniel Druhora, Director, New Initiatives, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Artificial General Intelligence: Are We Close(r)?
Mayank Kejriwal, Research Assistant Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Information Sciences Institute
Generative AI: Digital Media Creation at a Crossroads
Saty Raghavachary, Associate Professor of Computer Science Practice
Wearables for Health and Mind
Yasser Khan, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Engineering is Life! And Why You Should Care
Melanie Johnson, Lecturer, Engineering Writing Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Micro-Seminars mandatory?
No. This is a fun opportunity to engage with a faculty member and other first-year students in an academic environment before the start of the school year.
Do I have to register for a Micro-Seminar?
Yes. Space is limited to about 20-25 spots for each seminar, so registration is required. Registration is first-come, first-serve and some popular topics can fill up quickly, so be sure to sign up early.
Is there a fee for the Micro-Seminars?
No. Micro-Seminars are free to attend.
Can I attend more than one Micro-Seminar?
No. All micro-seminars meet at the same time, so you can only choose one seminar to attend over the two days.
Are there any homework assignments for the Micro-Seminars?
Some micro-seminar instructors may ask that you read articles or other material for background information on the topic prior to attending. However, there is no extensive homework required for the micro-seminars.
Will I get a credit/units or a grade for the Micro-Seminars?
No. Micro-seminars are not for credits and do not involve any grading. It is designed for first year students to have fun and get used to the academic environment at USC.
Do I have to choose a topic related to my major?
No. You can sign up for any micro-seminar! You are not required to sign up for a micro-seminar related to your major. Feel free to choose any topic that interests you.
What is the difference between Freshman Seminars and Micro-Seminars?
A Freshman Seminar is a two-unit class that is part of your regular schedule and meets once a week throughout the semester. Micro-Seminars are not an actual class and meet for just two days before the start of the semester.