Discovery Seminar

Every first-year student will enroll in a Discovery Seminar (DSC_OX 101) as the initial step in Oxford’s signature general education curriculum focused on discovery, exploration, and reflection. These 3-credit courses allow you to work closely with one another in a seminar class led by a faculty mentor who will also serve as your academic adviser for your entire time at Oxford. 

Discovery Seminars:

• Are intentionally designed to be open and accessible to all first-year students; we encourage you to consider courses that align with your interests and also those that would introduce you to a new topic or area of inquiry;  
• Introduce you to ways of knowing and producing knowledge within a discipline or field of study;
• Lead you to discover how to find and use evidence to question, analyze, interpret, and create knowledge;
• Provide a close-knit learning community (each seminar will enroll 15-18 students, with your instructor as your academic adviser).

By July 15, you must complete the Discovery Seminar preference form to identify the five courses that most interest you. You must have a login ID to register. Based on your ranked preferences, you will be registered for a Discovery Seminar before your arrival on campus. Every effort will be made to place you in one of the courses on your list.  

Submit your discovery seminar preferences now

Current Discovery Seminars

Below are the Discovery Seminars being offered in Fall 2025. None assume nor require previous knowledge of or experience with the topic. Be sure to click on the title for more information about the course.