Lower-Division

COWL1 Academic Literacy and Ethos: Imagining Justice

Teaches foundational concepts for intellectual exploration and personal development within an academic community: analysis, critical thinking, metacognition, engagement with others across difference, and self-efficacy. Examines the emergence and development of key concepts of justice including procedures, rights, and reparation.

Credits

5

COWL10 Becoming a Successful Student

An interactive approach to effective studying, note-taking, critical thinking, and exams. Also explored: time management; good communication with staff and faculty; major and career exploration; and use of campus resources. Enrollment priority given to first-year students and sophomores.

Credits

5

COWL12 Public Speaking

This introductory level seminar is designed to reduce anxiety and increase competence and confidence in a variety of public speaking situations. While providing some theory, this seminar emphasizes the practice of composing and delivering speeches, including formal, informal, and extemporaneous occasions.

Credits

5

COWL39 Brain, Mind, and Consciousness

An interdisciplinary introduction to the study of the brain, mind, and consciousness. Topics include the philosophy of mind, neuroscience, cognition, and social psychology, and their applications in fields such as health science, technology, and social development.

Credits

3

COWL40 Near-Death Experiences: Evidence and Inference in the Post-Modern World

Explores evidence and inferences from existing literature surrounding near-death experiences. Uses a multidisciplinary approach to investigate concepts, such as consciousness, aging, life, and death.

Credits

5

COWL50 Library Skills for the Digital Age

Intended to enhance students' skills in using the most powerful learning tool in any university: the library. Topics: organization of the library; how to begin researching; search engine and database use; judging the quality of sources; using sources responsibly. Disciplinary focus changes from quarter to quarter.

Credits

2

COWL52 Personal Finance and Investing

Overview of the financial responsibilities that young adults take on after college. Topics include: taxes, budgeting, student loans, credit, and investing in the stock market. Ubiquitous terms, such as 401(k), are defined, and financial principles are used to develop a framework for personal financial decision-making.

Credits

5

COWL61 Critical Journeys

For publication in a Cowell literary journal, students substantively revise one of their fall quarter essays by studying a major work that influences, acknowledges, or further clarifies a required reading of the Cowell core course.

Credits

2

COWL64 Social Justice: Issues and Debates

Focused followup on social justice topics and readings introduced in the Cowell core course. Allows first-year students to pursue social justice themes in greater depth. Students must have previously taken a Cowell core course (or equivalent).

Credits

2

COWL65 Meaning, Paradox, and Love

Mary Holmes--legendary founding faculty member of UCSC, keen observer, painter of mythic images, and profound thinker--had a visionary's insight into the mysteries of love, paradox, and meaning. This course explores her art, teaching, and wisdom. (Formerly Love and Wisdom.)

Credits

5

COWL70A Introduction to Book Arts

Students learn techniques of bookbinding, construction, and design, and fundamentals of letterpress printing. Enrollment is by permission of instructor. Students are billed a materials fee. (Formerly Bookbinding.)

Credits

5

COWL70B Intermediate Book Arts

Learn fundamental skills in fine letterpress printing, including hand typesetting and instruction in the operation of printing presses. Basic typography explored as students design and print a small edition of a selected text. Students are billed a materials fee. (Formerly Printing I: Elements of Printing.)

Credits

5

COWL70C Advanced Book Arts

Students learn fundamental skills in fine letterpress printing, including hand typesetting and instruction in the operation of printing presses. Basic typography explored as students design and print a small edition of a selected text. Students are billed a materials fee. (Formerly Printing II: Typography and Book Design.)

Credits

5

COWL78 Children, Technology, and Development

First-year honors seminar focusing on current research and theory related to children and technology. Attention is given to the gaps between public opinion about the impact of technology on children and the actual evidence regarding such impacts. Topics may include how use of digital devices may influence children's thinking; how children learn to use new technologies; computer gaming and aggression; and how children's social development may be influenced by social media and other technology.

Credits

5

COWL82 Good vs. Good

Explores the world of philanthropy. Examines the different models of philanthropy to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. Also examines what drives philanthropists to give. Enrollment by permission and restricted to College Scholar students.

Credits

5

COWL83 The Modern Metropolis: Paris, London, New York 1770-1860

A comparison of three great modern cities, with emphasis on their roles as incubators of new forms of art, spectacle, and entertainment; the specters of alienation, poverty, and crime during periods of explosive growth; and immigration and diversity as sources of cultural dynamism.

Credits

5

COWL84 Chinese Approaches to Human Values

Through study of primary sources in translation, considers a range of classic Chinese approaches to basic reflective questions about human experience, with special focus on issues of justice, social engagement, and meaning and authenticity in everyday life.

Credits

5

COWL85 Introduction to Chinese Writing Systems

Gateway course illuminating the operation of the writing systems of greater China. Intended for students who are curious about the world's longest continually used symbol set as well as for those who may be considering a serious commitment to learning the language.

Credits

5

COWL86 Leading Social Change

Offers students the knowledge and skills required to lead diverse teams. Topics include the social-change model of leadership and principles of collaboration. Geared toward Cowell and Stevenson Residential Assistants, but students interested in the topics may take the course with permission from the instructor.

Credits

2

COWL87 The History of Time

Examines the history of temporality or the human experience of time. Theoretical readings and primary sources are used to explore the ways that humans have related to the past, present, and future. Course focuses on research and writing methods.

Credits

5

COWL89 Faculty Research Colloquium

Introduction of UCSC as a research university, our notable researchers, and their work. Weekly discussions with UCSC faculty from a variety of disciplines.

Credits

2

COWL93 Field Study

Various topics to be arranged. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Credits

5

COWL93F Field Study

Various topics to be arranged. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Credits

2

COWL94 Group Tutorial

A program of independent study arranged between a group of students and a faculty instructor. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Credits

5

COWL94F Group Tutorial

A program of independent study arranged between a group of students and a faculty instructor. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Credits

2

COWL99 Tutorial

Various topics to be arranged. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Credits

5

COWL99F Tutorial

Various topics to be arranged. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Credits

2