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Encounters

Encounters is a full-year AU Core Curriculum two-sequence course specially designed for first-year and transfer students transitioning into their first year of college at AU. Students will complete Encounters I (Encounter AU: The Idea of the University) in their first semester (1 credit) and then complete Encounters II (AU Encounters: James Baldwin) in their second semester (1 credit).

Encounter AU: The Idea of the University

Encounter AU is a course that explores what it means to be part of a university—not just a collection of buildings and rules, but a living community of people, ideas, and transformation. Each week offers a new perspective on this shared space, equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to navigate and succeed in college. Students will engage with key themes such as intellectual freedom, the responsibilities of citizenship within an academic community, and the evolving role of higher education in society.

Classes will be facilitated by full-time faculty and staff from across the University, along with a Peer Facilitator. Class sizes will be roughly 35 students per section, and will meet every other week for a total of seven sessions.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand the university as a community and how students, faculty, and staff contribute to its culture.
  • Develop effective learning strategies and engage responsibly with information, including AI.
  • Participate in university experiences beyond the classroom and reflect on experiences that support academic or personal growth.

AU Encounters: James Baldwin

AU Encounters is course that examines key themes in U.S. society and beyond by exploring the works and legacies of significant figures or the history and impact of significant ideas. The format for the course will include a combination of both in-person and asynchronous sessions to create a rich environment for discussion and intellectual inquiry. Through a multidisciplinary approach, including readings, films, guest lectures, or museum visits, students will critically engage with complex topics like race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality, while developing skills for dialogue. Beginning in Spring 2025, the course will focus on the the works and legacy of James Baldwin to examine key themes within U.S. society and beyond.

Classes will be facilitated by full-time faculty from across the University and University leadership. Class sizes will be roughly 25 students per section, and will meet twice a week for five weeks.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Analyze how James Baldwin’s works address race, identity, and power in society.

  • Question the intersections of social identities such as ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality in Baldwin’s writings.

  • Engage in thoughtful dialogue about complex and often uncomfortable social issues.

Course Listing

The table below provides information about Encounters section offerings for current and upcoming semesters. Courses are searchable by keywords, titles, and academic terms. This table will be updated to reflect new information as it becomes available.

Last updated for Spring 2025

Section Offerings
Academic Term Course Title Section Number Meeting Dates Day Start Time End Time
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-119 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 Tuesday 11:20 AM 12:35 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-122 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 Tuesday 11:20 AM 12:35 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-123 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 Tuesday 12:55 PM 2:10 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-145 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 Tuesday 2:30 PM 3:45 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-147 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 Tuesday 2:30 PM 3:45 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-127 02/04/25, 02/25/25, 03/25/25, 04/15/25 Tuesday 5:30 PM 6:45 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-149 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 9:45 AM 11:00 AM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-129 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 11:20 AM 12:35 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-130 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 11:20 AM 12:35 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-132 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 12:55 PM 2:10 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-133 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 12:55 PM 2:10 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-150 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 2:30 PM 3:45 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-152 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 2:30 PM 3:45 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-151 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 4:05 PM 5:20 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-153 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 4:05 PM 5:20 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-136 02/05/25, 02/26/25, 03/26/25, 04/16/25 Wednesday 5:30 PM 6:45 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-154 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 Thursday 9:45 AM 11:00 AM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-157 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 Thursday 9:45 AM 11:00 AM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-143 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 Thursday 12:55 PM 2:10 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-144 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 Thursday 12:55 PM 2:10 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-155 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 Thursday 2:30 PM 3:45 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-158 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 Thursday 2:30 PM 3:45 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-156 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 Thursday 4:05 PM 5:20 PM
Spring 2025 AU Encounters: Baldwin CORE-200-159 02/06/25, 02/27/25, 03/27/25, 04/17/25 Thursday 4:05 PM 5:20 PM