Fake describes something that is not what it appears to be. Counterfeit bags, forged money, stage names, mockumentaries, pranking, the list goes on. But how do we define what is real and what is fake? Could something fake actually be more powerful, more authentic, than truth? Integrative Seminar 1 has two important goals. First, it will prepare students to read and write at the university level. Throughout the semester, we will work toward questions of scholarly consequence as we acquire the authority needed to write our way into existing intellectual conversations. Second, its relationship with Integrative Studio 1 will result in critical dialogues between seminar and studio practice, or writing and making. This course shares a common theme with Integrative Studio 1 and at various times in the semester, the two classes share ideas, concepts, and assignments through bridge topics. In this way, it will bring together reading, writing, and making in a manner that is essential to the creative work of artists and designers in every discipline. The Parsons Learning Portfolio will be introduced and developed in the Integrative courses.