Horizons Initiative

The Hunter Horizons Initiative:
Where First-Year Orientation, Student Engagement and
Rich Academic Content Meet

Horizons courses are designed specifically for students in their first year at Hunter College, including our substantial population of transfer students.  The aim of these courses is to give incoming students an exciting, engaging experience in a content-rich academic setting.  More broadly, Horizons courses develop a sense of connection for students; connection not only to a Hunter faculty member, but to their fellow Hunter students and indeed, to Hunter College itself.  We believe that if we offer students transformative curricular and co-curricular experiences within their first year, they will launch their academic careers at Hunter with confidence, focus, and a sense of belonging.  Thus, every Horizons course:

• fulfills a General Education Requirement (GER) or a graduation requirement

• includes elements that assist first year students in their transition to college (i.e., familiarity with and efficient use of the library; guidance in academic scheduling and goals)
• encourages and provides direct personal contact, outside the classroom, with a faculty member
  
• includes several co-curricular activities designed to engage students outside the classroom; for example, field trips relevant to the academic content of their Horizon course
• includes an event that brings together the Horizons community; for example, a lecture by a distinguished member of Hunter’s faculty, followed by an informal reception for students to meet and talk with the speaker
  

For further information, including the history and development of the Horizons Initiative,  please contact project director Professor Rebecca Connor: Rebecca.Connor@hunter.cuny.edu.

For the Horizons Instructor Handbook, follow this link.