Lectures, Seminars, etc.: A Typology of Classes
Lectures are the primary form of undergraduate instruction in U.S. institutions. Lecture courses may enroll as many as 500 students or be as small as 20 or 30 students. Although attendance may not be recorded, you are nevertheless expected to attend. Material covered in a lecture class may be closely related to the reading assignments or may be completely new material. Doing the reading before attending class is a sure way to improve your comprehension of the lecture. You might wish to record lectures on tape, especially if you are having trouble following spoken English in your first weeks of school.
A discussion section (also called a recitation, review, or quiz section) is a class in which material presented in a lecture is reviewed and discussed. (Not all lecture courses include discussion sections.) Discussion is considered an important element of American education; indeed, “class participation” may count for a certain percentage of your grade. If you do not feel confident about giving your opinion in class, be ready to answer basic questions about the material. You can also ask questions of the instructor after class or during office hours.
In so-called independent studies or guided research courses, you may study a topic under the direction of a professor but without any classroom instruction. Such arrangements are usually reserved for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. They generally involve a great deal of reading or work in a laboratory but allow you to focus on a topic of particular interest to you.
Seminars are often associated with undergraduate honors courses or graduate study. Seminar courses usually enroll fewer than 20 students. They often cover specialized topics and involve discussions and presentations by the students under the supervision of the professor. Some smaller colleges offer many undergraduate courses in the form of seminars.
Internships are practical work or training experiences that allow students to apply in a work situation what they have learned in class. Some institutions offer academic credit for internships; others do not.
[The TA's challenge][Quizzes, tests, and exams]
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