Instead of specific course names, freshmen must fulfill requirements in several categories, which may include:
* Writing in the Disciplines: This often involves multiple writing-intensive courses across different subjects, not just one specific English class. The exact courses that fulfill this requirement will vary.
* Quantitative Reasoning: This could involve courses in math, statistics, computer science, or other fields depending on the student's interests and intended major. Again, no single course is mandated.
* Social Sciences: Students need to complete courses in social sciences to fulfill this requirement. The options are wide-ranging.
* Humanities: Similar to social sciences, there are many humanities courses that satisfy this requirement, covering topics such as literature, history, philosophy, and the arts.
* Foreign Language: Depending on their prior language experience and intended major, students may need to take a foreign language course.
Essentially, Duke freshmen must choose courses that fulfill these distribution requirements, allowing for considerable flexibility and tailoring their first year to their individual interests while still providing a broad educational foundation. The specific courses satisfying each category are listed in the university's academic catalog and students work with their advisors to create a plan. They are not simply given a pre-packaged set of first-year classes.