Program Structure

The First-Year Program comprises both the Fall and Spring academic semesters. The 9-credit curriculum includes a First-Year Seminar (3 credits) and 6 credits of First-Year Writing.

First-Year Seminar

FYP 1100 First-Year Seminar: Navigating College

Manhattanville's distinctive first-year seminar is a central part of the university's holistic approach to student success. The course is designed to support the transition into college life by equipping students with the essential tools, academic skills, and connections necessary for a successful and fulfilling academic journey. Our experienced faculty and staff have worked to create a truly supportive and collaborative environment for first-year students, ensuring that they emerge well-prepared to excel academically, connect with peers, and navigate the many opportunities that Manhattanville offers.

First-Year Writing

As part of the first-year program, incoming undergraduate students must take two semesters of introductory College Writing courses. The curriculum is designed to cultivate and strengthen essential skills in critical thinking, written expression, and oral communication. Students are introduced to the foundations of academic writing, including grammar, style, and structure, as well as strategies for written analysis, persuasion, and argumentation. First-year writing continues for a full year; the second semester course is devoted to the development of techniques for research and critical composition that will foster success throughout students’ educational programs.

ENC 1001 College Writing I

This course provides an overview of critical thinking strategies and writing skills that are essential to successful, meaningful academic work at the college level and that facilitate informed citizenship in college and beyond. Students will be guided to develop critical literacy skills, including textual analysis, and formulate cogent arguments through frequent drafting and revision. To ensure students are writing accurately and coherently, they will focus on grammar, word usage, sentence structure, paragraph coherence, and rhetorical modes.

ENC 1002 College Writing II

This course will build on the skills developed in College Writing I. Students will review critical thinking skills and writing skills related to analysis, persuasion, and argumentation, and will also review key concepts of grammar and style. Students will receive continued instruction in analysis and synthesis, as well as in research and documentation. Emphasis will be placed on writing as a process, and the connection between writing and research. Through primary and secondary research, focused revision based on peer and instructor feedback, and development from proposal through multiple drafts, students will produce a long-form, bibliographic essay.