Orientation Topic and Course Proposal

All students seeking an undergraduate degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must take a 1 credit hour orientation course. The course ensures that students successfully transition to K-State and the College of Arts and Sciences and can take advantage of all the resources the institution offers for student success. Students may take the college-wide orientation course DAS 101 or an approved departmental orientation course.

To accommodate students’ unique interests and needs, DAS 101 offers special topic sections upon approval. DAS 101 special topic sections follow the same semester schedule, utilize the standard DAS 101 syllabus template, course textbook and use the DAS 101 Canvas template as the regular sections. DAS 101 special topic courses are nearly identical to the standard DAS 101 sections in structure, schedule, and core requirements. The primary difference is the integration of the special topic, which instructors bring into the course through class discussions, connections between weekly content and the special theme, the instructor-choice assignment, and other related activities.

Instructors are invited and encouraged to propose special topics that engage students in multidisciplinary topics across the arts and sciences, help students gain a broad perspective, and encourage students to use critical thinking skills in areas of innovation, adaptability and research.

Instructors/departments may request special topic approval by submitting the DAS 101 Special Topic Proposal form.

All students seeking an undergraduate degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must take a 1 credit hour orientation course. Students may take the college-wide orientation course DAS 101 or an approved departmental orientation course. The orientation course ensures that students successfully transition to K-State and the College of Arts and Sciences, and can take advantage of all the resources the institution offers for student success. Further, departmental orientation courses introduce students to important information pertaining to specific major(s), career options, and departmental resources and opportunities.

Departments seeking to create and maintain their own departmental orientation course, to satisfy the college orientation requirement, must get approval from the DAS 101 Advisory Committee. Departmental orientation courses will retain important aspects of the standard sections of DAS 101 such as the SLOs, PATH Portfolio assignments, first-year success content and expectations related to instructional mode and course modality.

Departments may request approval to create and maintain a departmental orientation course using the Departmental Orientation Proposal form.

Departments offering their own orientations must agree to adhere to specific college criteria. Instructors teaching orientations are expected to participate in annual discussions and employ orientation best practices. Please see the Fall 2026 Guidelines and Expectations for Departmental Orientation Courses.