First-Year Programming
SMC One and First-Year Seminar Courses
Exciting interdisciplinary courses designed for U of T students entering their first year!
We offer small seminar courses that help you explore different interests and nurture your curiosity.
Taught by leading professors, these courses create a close-knit, inspiring environment where you’ll work closely with other students, world-class faculty, and a variety of campus resources.
Some SMC One courses also include a study abroad opportunity.
What’s the difference between an SMC One course and a First-Year Foundations (FYF) course?
Very little! Both offer an unforgettable small-classroom experience in your first year at U of T.
- SMC One courses are rooted in St. Mike’s scholarly identity and often take inspiration from the College’s collections, programs, and departments. Some may offer an optional international learning opportunity.
- FYF courses are interdisciplinary and encourage exploration of a variety of interests—all in one class.
All of these first-year-only courses offer invaluable preparation for further study at U of T. They provide a welcoming academic environment and a great way to connect with new ideas, classmates, and faculty.
Explore the rise of European drama as a subversive force in the late 19th century. Topics include theatre’s political impact, iconic plays and dramatists, actor-managers, and archival material from the Kelly Library. When possible, students attend a live production.
Explore how visual art connects to philosophical and spiritual questions. Using U of T’s campus art collections, the course teaches students how to look closely, reflect, and interpret meaning through painting, sculpture, and photography.
Study the culture of the contemporary Republic of Ireland, including Gaelic traditions, sport, music, and media. This course may include a one-week experiential learning trip to Ireland.*
*Airfare and personal expenses are the responsibility of students. Room, board, and programming costs are covered by an ancillary fee of up to $3,000. Dates are subject to change.
Two half-courses exploring Christianity’s relationship to arts, science, politics, and philosophy. Includes an 11-day international experience in Rome and Assisi in May 2026.*
*Ancillary fee up to $3,000. Some financial aid available. Dates subject to change.
Inspired by Marshall McLuhan’s work, this seminar explores how creativity and technology intersect. Discuss how the humanities respond to technological change through interactive classes.
Explore the early Holmes stories and their ties to Victorian media, science, and fandom. Trace the development of Holmes across cultures, adaptations, and fan communities.
Study how Christian thinkers have responded to the idea of life beyond Earth. Topics include theology, science, and historical depictions of otherworldly beings.
Examine how modern wars shaped medieval-themed fantasy literature. Authors include Tolkien, LeGuin, and Martin. Explore literature’s role in cultural memory and popular media.
What is intelligence? Can we replicate it? This seminar explores AI through literature, philosophy, and computer science, encouraging critical thought and hands-on workshops.
Explore the Sistine Chapel through its art, history, religious significance, and restoration. Examine its place in popular culture through close analysis of its frescoes.
Learn the methods of game studies. Through lectures and play sessions, explore the form, narrative, and impact of video games across platforms and genres.
Trace the story of Robin Hood from medieval ballads to modern reworkings. Explore its evolution across literature, film, political thought, and popular culture.
Discover the history of letterpress printing. Hands-on projects in the Kelly Library accompany studies of the printed book’s cultural and political significance.
Examine the rise and fall of controversial knowledge systems within Christian traditions—alchemy, astrology, and magic—and their links to modern science and culture.
Explore medieval Irish and Welsh mythology. All texts are in English translation. No prior knowledge required.
Learn Modern Irish through practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Designed for complete beginners.
Study the academic field of media—from print to digital. Apply critical theory to modern and historical media experiences.