Freshmen Seminar

A Freshman Seminar course is a 1-hour credit course taken during the first semester at UMHB.

These courses are designed to assist freshmen with enhancing their academic skills while introducing them to campus life at UMHB. While building relationships with faculty and fellow students, new freshmen will critically think, read, discuss and write about the topic selected for their seminar course. Opportunities are also provided to improve basic skills and explore various campus services.

Enjoy reading the descriptions of the creative courses designed by UMHB's First Faculty Team...

Freshman Seminar – Topic Descriptions

1: The Texas Music Project (W 2-2:50 with Dr. Stephen Crawford)
Texas music is truly unique. Spanning a broad array of genres, including blues, gospel, ragtime, jazz, conjunto, Tejano, country, zydeco, Cajun, rock and roll, and many others, Texas music, perhaps better than anything else, reflects the rich history and tremendous ethnic and cultural diversity of the Southwest. This course will focus on the many different styles and flavors of the Texas music scene from Blues to Czech and German music, Mùsica norteña to Mariachi and Tejano, Country to Rock and Roll, and Classical to Folk and Gospel, and many others. Students will also learn about their favorite artists and musicians from the distant past to the present. Did you know that Waylon Jennings was born and raised in Littlefield, or that Bonham was the birthplace and resting place of guitar legend Charlie Christian, or that Vernon was the hometown of Roy Orbison? Much of our identity is reflected in our music. Come discover yours.

2: Mummies, Gods, and Inscriptions (W 11-11:50 with Dr. Stephen Von Wyrick)
The course presents the latest archaeological discoveries from the Near East through a combination of readings, visual presentations, and "hands-on" examination of the cultural remains of ancient civilizations. Students will define archaeology, analyze selected archaeological discoveries, and explain how these discoveries influence our modern society.

3: UMHB Mission – Through the Perspective of Purpose-Driven Eyes (W 11-11:50 with Dr. Jim King)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission—leadership, service and faith-informed discernment—so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community. The three key components of our mission will be examined in the context of faith being a catalyst for individual and community development through economic opportunities, education programs and healthcare promotion in developing countries around the world. Learn how you can make a difference.

4: Einstein's Brain: Five Ideas which changed our view of the universe (W 11-11:50 with Dr. Bill Tanner)
In 1905, a German patent clerk published three scientific papers that revolutionized science. He proposed that all energy comes in packets he called quanta, that apparent erratic motion of molecules could be predicted, and that all physical laws operate the same everywhere in the universe. Once he applied the last idea to the case of high-speed collisions between sub-atomic particles, an elegant formula emerges, i.e. E=mc². When he applied the same theory of relativity to the entire universe he discovered that mass warps all of space. In this course will be presented the contexts in which these ideas were formed in order that the student will come to understand the philosophical and scientific impact of the change wrought by Einstein's brain.

5: Distractions (F 12-12:50 with Kelda McMullen-Fix)
Do you find yourself distracted? As a new freshman college student, life can cause distractions finding yourself too preoccupied to know what good things God wants you to experience. Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. These are practices which can cause mental turmoil while leading you down dangerous paths. In this course you will be engaged in a conversation about life’s obstacles. We will work together through discussion, immersion, and reflection. Serving as Christ-followers, we will explore three key components of our mission at UMHB – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment. Fatal Distractions, by author Ed Young, will facilitate our discussion leading us to challenge ourselves and each other. Change will be at the core of the beginning of your new life, as a UMHB freshman, and temptation is patiently waiting. I challenge you to focus on yourself and consider how you will respond in life’s many experiences while being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

6: (Honors Students): UMHB Mission: (W 11-11:50 with Dr. Steve Oldham)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

7: UMHB Mission: Interpersonal Communication – Following Our Mission in our Relationships (H 9:30-10:20 with Kathy Owens) This course is a combination of a special-topics course and a mission-based course. We will explore UMHB’s mission within the context of interpersonal relationships. This course will consider three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment. Thus, students will not only learn about the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community but will also discover how these components affect their relationships and vice-versa.

8: UMHB Mission (M 2-2:50 with Dr. Paul Stock)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

9: UMHB Mission (F 12-12:50 with Dr. Marty McMahone)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

10: UMHB Mission (W 1-1:50 with Dr. David Chrisman)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

11: (Honors Students): Faith and Politics: Exploring Tensions within Christian Citizenship (M 10-10:50 with Dr. David Holcomb)
This seminar will examine the often thorny issues surrounding Christian faith and political obligation. Students will read and discuss biblical, theological, historical and other writings in order to understand various interpretations of the relationship between Christian faith and public life. Questions this seminar will address include: How do people of faith best follow Christ’s teaching to “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s?” Why have some Christians withdrawn from politics while others have sought to control politics? What are some historical examples of Christian involvement in politics? How best can the church play its prophetic role in a modern, pluralistic democracy?

12: Science Fiction’s Impact on Technology (W 1-1:50 with Dr. Randy Brown)
Using a variety of Science Fiction books, movies, and so on, students will learn how Science Fiction has influenced real-life technological advances. Conversely, we will discover how technological advances have influenced Science Fiction, not only through ideas and concepts, but also through special effects technologies used in making movies. Students will learn the basics of research, writing, ethics, and plagiarism. Students also will be given opportunities to participate in group panels, group collaboration, brainstorming, and presentations. Creative and critical thinking will be emphasized. The LMS will be used extensively as well as turnitin.com

13: UMHB Mission: Through Film Experiences (T 9:30-10:20 with Dr. Cecilia Erlund)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment taught in part through film experiences– so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

14: UMHB Mission (T 2:30-3:20 with Dr. Kerry Owens)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

15. (International Students Only): Adjusting to Campus Life (W 10-10:50 with Karen Frederick)
International students only. This course will introduce International Students to the many services UMHB has to offer (MyCampus, Free Tutoring, Career Services, Health Services, Library, Gym, etc.). Students will also learn about the academic expectations their Professors will have.

16: When the Sputum Hits the Road: the impacts of culture and health. (F 11-11:50 with Dr. Greg Frederick)
In at least three instances we see Jesus doing the unthinkable. We see him “spit and touch the tongue of a man” to heal his hearing and speech (Mark 7:33). We see him place spit and dirt into the eyes of a man blind from birth to cause sight (John 9:6). We see him spit into the eyes of a third man to restore his sight as well (Mark 8:22). Unthinkable acts changed the lives and culture for these three men and all that knew them. Jesus, being God, knew what He was doing. We don’t always! As you enter UMHB you are moving into a new culture which can impact your health and well-being. At the same time, various cultural practices around the world have had direct impact on the health of individuals living in those cultures. This course will address aspects of how both culture and health (physical and spiritual) mutually influence the lives of individuals around the world. The course will highlight the importance of attentiveness to personal health in whatever culture we encounter.

17: UMHB Mission (T 1-1:50 with Ms. Christie Bledsoe)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

18: Renaissance: The Real Blast from the Past (M 1-1:50 with Mr. Hershall Seals)
About the time the Black Death came to Europe, the Renaissance began to emerge with the rebirth of mathematics, machinery, medicine, astronomy, physics, and art, sparked by a fresh understanding of the ancient Greek thinkers. The Renaissance concept of education based on the exchange of ideas, the desire to learn, and the quest for knowledge still echoes today as we move through the formal education system and evolve into lifelong learners. Students will become familiar with the likes of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, as we explore the architecture and artistic treasures pointing the way to artistic greatness, wisdom and enlightenment.

19: UMHB Mission (W 11-11:50 with Dr. Chrisann Merriman)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

20: UMHB Mission (W 11-11:50 with Dr. Mickey Kerr)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

21: UMHB Mission (F 11-11:50 with Dr. Trent Terrell)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

22: C. S. Lewis Freshmen Seminar (H 2-2:50 with Dr. Jessica Hooten)
In this seminar, we will read two books by C. S. Lewis to guide our conversations about life as a student at UMHB. Lewis was a twentieth-century professor at Oxford and Cambridge, though he’s better known for his children’s book series The Chronicles of Narnia. Using his Abolition of Man and The Screwtape Letters, we will practice reading, discussing, researching, writing, and presenting to help you prepare for your life as a college student.

23: UMHB Mission (W 11-11:50 with Dr. Nancy Bonner)
Mission is central to UMHB’s identity. How we embody our mission as faculty, staff, and students is what uniquely makes us UMHB. This course will explore three key components of our mission – leadership, service and faith-informed discernment – so that students can understand the opportunities and responsibilities of being a new member of the UMHB learning community.

24: IMPACT (F 11-11:50 with Donna Teel)