The Social Sciences First-Year Learning Community (FLC, pronounced "flick") is for students interested in studying a program in the social sciences. Along with learning the fundamental FLC curriculum, the Social Sciences FLC will give you opportunities to tour local government and non-profit agencies to learn about the work being done there, think about different approaches to research and learn strategies to navigate U of T’s Libraries. You will also build meaningful relationships with professors, upper-year students and alumni from Social Sciences programs.
Apply to the Social Sciences FLC
FLC applications are currently closed for the 2023-24 academic year. You can join a waitlist for the program by completing the following application form. Please note: You will only be contacted if a spot becomes available.
Eligibility
- First-year students in the Faculty of Arts & Science who have been admitted to the Social Sciences admission category on the St. George Campus
- Students living off campus are encouraged to apply to a Social Sciences FLCs
FLC Course Overview
By joining a FLC, you will have the opportunity to connect with a small group of students in regular FLC sessions and core first-year courses. Students in the Social Sciences FLC will meet at a welcome session during the first week of classes and then every other week starting September 18, 2023.
In addition to your FLC sessions, you will select two of the following Social Sciences courses (or combination of courses) on your FLC application:
- ANT100Y1-Y: Introduction to Anthropology
- SOC100H1-F: Introduction to Sociology AND SOC150H1-S: Sociological Inquiries
- WGS160Y1-Y: Introduction to Women & Gender Studies
- POL101H1-F: The Real World of Politics: An Introduction AND GGR124H1-S: Urbanization, Contemporary Cities and Urban Life
If accepted, you will be automatically enrolled in the courses (and any accompanying tutorials) you selected along with other students in your FLC who selected the same courses.
During course enrolment, you will have the option to choose additional courses to complete your first-year course schedule. The courses you are pre-enrolled in with your FLC are the core courses that your FLC peers will be enrolled in. However, if you have a conflict between these core courses and any new courses that you will be adding to your schedule, you have the option to change your course section. Visit the New Student Guide for more information about course selection and enrolment.
For the Winter term, FLC participants will be pre-enrolled in the Social Sciences FLC (FLC099Y1-1) plus two additional courses from the list below, which you will select on your FLC application form:
| Course Name | Course Code | Section | Day of Week | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences FLC | FLC099Y1-Y | Lecture 0101/0201 | Monday | 3 pm – 4:30 pm |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ANT100Y1-Y | Lecture 5101 | Thursday | 6 pm – 8 pm |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ANT100Y1-Y | Tutorial 2001/2002 | Thursday | 3 pm – 4 pm |
| Sociological Inquiries | SOC150H1-S (to be taken with SOC100H1-F) | Lecture 0101 | Wednesday | 12 pm – 2 pm |
| Sociological Inquiries | SOC150H1-S | Tutorial 0301/0401 | Monday | 0301: 12 pm – 1 pm 0401: 1 pm – 2 pm |
| Introduction to Women and Gender Studies | WGS160Y1-Y | Lecture 5101 | Wednesday | 6 pm – 8 pm |
| Introduction to Women and Gender Studies | WGS160Y1-Y | Tutorial 0101/0102/0103 | Friday |
10 am – 11 am |
| Urbanization, Contemporary Cities and Urban Life | GGR124H1-S (to be taken with POL101H1-F) | Lecture 0101 | Wednesday | 3 pm – 5 pm |
| Urbanization, Contemporary Cities and Urban Life | GGR124H1-S | Tutorial 0201/0202 |
Thursday | 11 am – 12 pm |
Your FLC Student Team
Arham (he/him), Peer Mentor
Year: Four
Programs: Economics, Public Policy
College: Trinity College
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Studies: I am in my fourth year studying Economics, Public Policy and Statistics. Within U of T, I am involved in many opportunities, such as working as a research assistant at the Munk school and being involved in finance clubs, the Work-Study Program and intramurals.
Why peer mentorship? Peer mentorship allows you to be a resource for first-year students to help them get comfortable with the resources and opportunities available at a world-class institution.
Advice to first-year students: Be open to asking questions and reaching out to people, since first year can be overwhelming. So, take your time, try to get comfortable and do your best to explore the opportunities available at U of T.
Emily (she/her), Assistant Peer Mentor
Year: Two
Programs: Sociology, Women & Gender Studies
College: New College
Hometown: Strömstad, Sweden
Studies: I am double majoring in Sociology and Women & Gender Studies, with a minor in Political Science. I am particularly interested in queer studies and mental health, so the programs I am taking allow me to explore the many different approaches to these fields.
Why peer mentorship? I think it is incredibly important to foster relationships throughout our community, particularly across years of study. I hope to provide advice and support to first-year students based on my experiences in their situation, hopefully making the transition from high school to university easier.
Advice to first-year students: Plan everything out! Have a master list of all assignments and exams taken from your syllabi in the first week and use it throughout the semester.
Maisarah (she/her), Peer Mentor
Year: Four
Programs: Industrial Relations & Human Resources, Sociology
College: University College
Hometown: Malaysia
Studies: I tried everything from math, computer science, biology (which I am bad at) and finally found passion in the HR field. I think I just might be another Toby from The Office! I am really good with people, and I want to be present in the workplace drama.
Why peer mentorship? I want to be a peer mentor because I have a lot of experience in the field of pretending to know what I am talking about. So, let us navigate this academic labyrinth together!
Advice to first-year students: Don't worry if you do not know what you want to do with your life yet. Just remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single all-nighter.
Max (he/him), Assistant Peer Mentor
Year: Two
Programs: Political Science, Urban Studies, History
College: University College
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Studies: I am a second-year student majoring in Political Science with a double minor in Urban Studies and History. I am also currently an intern for the Government of Ontario. While I am not in charge of sweeping reforms just yet, it is a fantastic learning experience for my career in the public sector.
Why peer mentorship? Mostly so that when one of my mentees inevitably wins a Nobel Peace Prize, I can claim 90% of the credit! Jokes aside, I am passionate about being a peer mentor because I loved my time in the FLC program. I want to help foster the same supportive and fun community I experienced.
Advice to first-year students: Take advantage of the exam repository to study for finals! It is online and completely free.
For the Fall term, FLC participants will be pre-enrolled in the Social Sciences FLC (FLC099Y1-1) plus two additional courses from the list below, which you will select on your FLC application form:
0401: 1 pm – 2 pm
0701/0702/0703