The history of rock and roll, etiquette and Insomnia Cookies may seem like three totally unrelated subjects, but there is a common thread among them. They can all be explored via Penn's fall preceptorials -- and for the first time, freshmen can jump right into the fun.
Preceptorials are non-credit seminars that meet up to three times per semester. Their topics are academic in nature, but not necessarily something students would normally find in a classroom setting.
In years past, undergraduates wishing to join a fall preceptorial registered on Penn InTouch during advance registration in the spring. This year, however, registration is being run through a specific preceptorial Web site in the fall, allowing freshmen to immediately take advantage of this unique Penn opportunity.
Preceptorials are meant to be "a wish list of what students would love to do," Student Committee on Undergraduate Education Chairwoman and College junior Samantha Springer said.
Preceptorials are sponsored by SCUE and the Provost's Office.
College sophomore Birgit Doak lauded the preceptorial program, but was uninterested in any of the topics being offered this year.
"I think the concept is really neat," Doak said. It's "a way to enjoy learning and try out something you might not want to devote an entire semester to."
"I really was very interested in participating this year, but ... I really wasn't enticed by any of the [topics] that I saw" on the Web site, Doak added.
Since its inception in 1996, the preceptorials program has focused on topics ranging from wine-tasting to paintball. While the topics change every semester, particularly popular seminars do return.
The ideas for different preceptorials primarily come from SCUE's Preceptorials Committee, a group of about 30 undergraduates selected by application.
However, according to Springer, professors have also approached SCUE with ideas for topics, and anyone can submit preceptorial ideas on the Web site.
The enrollment of each of the approximately 12 preceptorials is limited to about 20 students. This cap is in place in order to encourage more intimate interaction with instructors, including some of Penn's most popular professors, as well as experts from outside the University.
Students who are not admitted to the preceptorial of their choice will automatically be placed on a waiting list.
Springer spoke further on the significance of preceptorials.
"We feel it's very important to foster the intellectual community," Springer said. "It's a great way of connecting professors and students who are interested in similar topics."
Springer added, "It's learning for the sake of the learning, which we believe is the purest form."
Registration for preceptorials began yesterday and will continue through Thursday, Oct. 16 on a first-come, first-serve basis.
