Advising Courses
UAA Advising General Studies courses are designed to support undergraduate pre-major students as they explore academic pathways, build confidence in their decision making abilities, and prepare to engage meaningfully with high impact practices like study abroad and undergraduate research.
Our advising courses create a space for students to reflect on their goals, values, and interests, and develop skills to support their UW experience. By centering reflection, exploration, and hands‑on engagement, these courses empower students to build informed, purposeful, and fulfilling paths at the University of Washington.
GEN ST 220 — Global Learning: Foundations and Exploration (Winter Quarter)
Many students are interested in studying abroad or engaging in other globally focused opportunities at UW, but aren’t sure where to start. This course will help you explore options and plan for meaningful global learning experiences.GEN ST 220 introduces students to the many pathways for global learning. You’ll explore multiple ways to engage in global learning, including study abroad (where you’ll learn about programs options and draft applications for future use) as well as academic options, research opportunities, and local engagement. Together, we will explore how global challenges intersect across disciplines and how your own identities and perspectives shape your engagement with the world. By the end of the course, you will have developed a personalized plan for integrating global learning into your academic and co-curricular experience at UW.
GEN ST 220 — Undergraduate Research: Foundations and Exploration (Spring Quarter)
This course provides first and second year students an opportunity to reflect and prepare for meaningful undergraduate research involvement across all disciplines. Students will engage with advisers, faculty, and current students as they reflect on their research interests and learn how to seek out opportunities. Students will learn about the importance of getting involved, and how to make that happen.
GEN ST 222 — Getting to Year 2 in the Social Sciences: Building Academic and Career Direction (Spring Quarter)
This course is for first-year students who are interested in the social sciences and want help turning that interest into direction. In this class, you’ll explore how different social science fields look at real-world issues — things like people’s behavior, systems, inequality, policy, culture, and change. You’ll learn what kinds of questions different majors ask, what skills they build, and how they connect to real jobs and opportunities. You’ll also spend time learning about what actually excites you: What kinds of problems you care about, what types of classes energize you, and what ways of thinking feel natural to you.