The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Propaedeutics \Pro`p[ae]*deu"tics\, n.
   The preliminary learning connected with any art or science;
   preparatory instruction.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

propaedeutics
    n 1: a course that provides an introduction to an art or science
         (or to more advanced study generally) [syn: propaedeutic,
         propaedeutics]