From Students who Took an Evidence-Focused Seminar:

"Although I had done research before, it wasn't until this class that I was actually entrusted to be the driver behind the research itself and the direction the analysis would take. In an evidence based-seminar, you are treated like an adult who has the ability to understand and is a nice break from high-school."

- Student in the Class of 2019
The American Death Penalty Seminar
Department of History

"The focus on evidence naturally directed the class lectures and assignments to present concrete data for us to interpret, which developed our analytical skills. Through presentations and papers, we researched using scholarly sources, which helped introduce me to resources in the Woodruff Library such as books in Stacks and online databases. Most notably, we were able to collect our own data, imitating field research, and then we wrote papers substantiating claims using our collected data. By teaching us to analyze, look for, and even collect our own evidence, the evidence-focused seminar truly broadened my understanding evidence."

- Student in the Class of 2019
Languages of the World Seminar
Department of Linguistics

"Dr. Pak taught us that identifying evidence is about clearly seeing what is put in front of us—not to overstep our bounds with an assuming imagination or an underestimating apathy. It is about diligently engaging the raw reality of what we know and what we are given. It is about recognizing and bringing out the truth behind what is there and what is not."

- Student in the Class of 2019
Languages of the World Seminar
Department of Linguistics

No! These seminars are not harder than other seminars, nor do they require more work.

These seminars share a specific focus on evidence; this focus will help you build foundational skills that you can use for the rest of your time at Emory. A meaningful engagement with evidence will help prepare you for courses in your major, research opportunities, and even future employment.

From Students:

Such a seminar will challenge you to think critically in an academic setting, thus allowing you to become a more effective communicator, researcher, and student. The skills you gain will have a long-term, positive effect on how you approach your future classes and conversations.

- Student in the Class of 2019
Languages of the World with
Dr. Marjorie Pak

When you actually look at evidence, especially primary sources, you get so much more value and understanding of a subject. Drawing your own conclusions, and critically engaging with others, is a much deeper and more interesting mode of scholarship for me. 

- Student in the Class of 2019
The American Death Penalty with
Dr. Daniel LaChance

Evidence acts as the backbone for every discipline and is extremely applicable in my everyday life. I believe that I am a better and more confident student when I tie evidence into my discussions. Whether I am studying for psychobiology test or giving a presentation in the business school, evidence ties my ideas together.

- Danielle Tanzman, 18B

Understanding how to interpret and present evidence has proved extremely useful both inside and outside of the classroom. Not only has the knowledge of how to effectively support certain claims helped me tackle research papers and conduct other projects, it has made me a smarter consumer of information. I have developed critical skills that help me form educated opinions about a wide range of topics from academia to popular culture. This, in turn, has allowed me engage in more productive discussions with peers and professors alike.

- Glory James, 17C

There is a lot of information out there being thrown at us all the time. It tries to tell us what to buy, how to think, what to say, what to do and ultimately who to be. Without knowing what evidence is and how it’s used, it’s easy to find yourself passively being shaped rather than actively in the process of shaping. That process of shaping extends beyond you and your life to impact your communities as well.

- DeVonnae’ Woodson-Heard, 16C

See more detail about these seminars on Emory's Course Atlas

See more detail about these seminars on Emory's Course Atlas