Interdisciplinary First-year Interest Groups (iFIGs) are theme-based learning communities, which focus on topics of interest that appeal to students across disciplines. Similar to college-based FIGs, iFIGs fulfill the first-year student’s 360 Connections requirement and are led by a peer mentor and a staff facilitator.
Each iFIG consists of roughly 17 students who meet in a weekly seminar setting, where they share snacks, resources, and experiences. Students also attend two academic classes together based on their theme: a UGS 303 Signature Course and a social science course, both of which satisfy parts of the UT core curriculum. Best of all, any first-year student can enroll in an iFIG, giving them the opportunity to start building a social network with individuals outside of their majors and colleges.
If you are interested in registering for an iFIG, please bring this up during your academic advising session at orientation. If you or your advisor have any questions, feel free to email the FIG Office or call us at (512) 471-4421.
Sample iFIG Clusters
Gender & Sexuality
UGS 018 First-year Interest Group Seminar
UGS 303 Visual Sociology
ANT 302 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Health & Wellness
UGS 018 First-year Interest Group Seminar
UGS 303 Critical Geographies of Health
H S 301 Introduction to Health & Society
Social Justice
UGS 018 First-year Interest Group Seminar
UGS 303 Social Movements in the U.S.
ANT 302 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Sustainability & Society
UGS 018 First-year Interest Group Seminar
UGS 303 Sustaining a Planet
GRG 305 This Human World: Introduction to Geography