COWL - Cowell College

COWL 1 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

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to college members.

COWL 1A Introduction to University Life and Learning

Orientation to and exploration of the nature of the liberal arts, and of learning at research universities. Topics include: academic planning for upper-division coursework; enrollment processes; and understanding pathways to degree completion; UCSC resources that support health and well-being strategies for academic success; the cultivation of just communities; the prevention of sexual harassment and violence; campus conduct policies; awareness of risks associated with drug and/or alcohol use; and an introduction to traditions of community-engaged learning, ground-breaking research, and interdisciplinary thinking that define a UC Santa Cruz degree. This course can be taken for Pass/No Pass grading only.

Credits

1

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to entering first-year Cowell College students.

COWL 80 Dungeons & Dragons &...Yokai!? Global Transformations of Japanese Fantasy

Explores adaptations of Japanese fantasy across media forms and national boundaries. Argues that the genre of Japanese fantasy emerged through a network of trans-cultural and trans-media adaptations which inform each other to shape understandings of the genre today. Exploration of the fantasy genre includes the transnational circulation of folklore, historical romance, high fantasy, dark fantasy, sword and sorcery, cosmic horror, and secondary world fantasy. The learning objectives of this course are obtained through group projects, theorizing collaboration, and tabletop role-playing games, including Dungeons & Dragons and The Call of Cthulhu.

Credits

5

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 88 Preparing for Historical Fieldwork on the Shikoku Pilgrimage

Preparation for those students who have successfully applied to join the Shikoku Pilgrimage super class in the fall of 2025. The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a physically and mentally challenging 1200 km trek through mountainous terrain. While doing that difficult task, students will be doing 20 credits of academic fieldwork in a very different cultural and linguistic setting as well. This 2-credit summer course is designed to prepare students for this difficult but hugely rewarding experience, laying the foundation for deep learning about Japanese society and about their own selves. Enrollment is restricted to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Enrollment is by instructor permission. Students must successfully apply in a written application and an interview with the instructor.

Credits

2

COWL 10 How to Win at College

This is a course about the modern college classroom. Specifically, this is a course about finding your place in the classroom, about honing skills that can help you be the most successful student you can be. Using concrete tools and techniques, students tackle everything from managing email inboxes to effectively communicating with professors. Includes time exploring larger, more philosophical topics in education. What does it mean to be a student at this moment in time? What are mentors and how do you find them? How do you meet your goals while still remaining compassionate to yourself? (Formerly Becoming a Successful Student.)

Credits

5

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to first-year students, sophomores and juniors.

COWL 11A Leading from Within

First in a three-part sequence that builds the foundation for aspiring leaders, although anyone can join the sequence at any time. Students explore personal leadership through self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and values-driven activities, build key leadership theories, reflect and assess their strengths and opportunities for growth, and develop a leadership mindset. Through interactive experiential learning activities such as self-assessments, reflective journaling, and case studies, students use new ways of thinking as leadership principles are applied to real-world scenarios. (Formerly Experiential Leadership Program Core Course: Tools for Leadership and Conflict Resolution.)

Credits

2

Instructor

The Staff

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 11B Leading and Empowering Others

The second in a three-part sequence that builds the foundation for aspiring leaders, although anyone can join the sequence at any time. This part sets the foundation to learn how to lead teams, groups, and committees. Students gain experience and confidence working with others in an effective way, and using their leadership mindset to grow so they can serve others and be a change agent and catalyst in our community. (Formerly ELP Core Course: Leadership From the Inside Out, Networking and Professionalism.)

Credits

2

Instructor

The Staff

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 11C Leading with Intention: From Influence to Impact

The third course in a three-part collaborative leadership sequence that builds the foundation for aspiring leaders, although anyone can join the sequence at any time. Focuses on leading with intention to make a meaningful impact in the communities and systems. Students learn how to lead with clarity, communicate your vision, and influence change within complex systems. By engaging in real-world application and reflective practice, students strengthen their ability to lead with purpose and be a catalyst in our community. (Formerly ELP Core Course: Tone-Setting and Leading with Cultural/Emotional Intelligence.)

Credits

2

Instructor

The Staff

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 11D ELP Elective Course: Risk Management and Social Justice Through the Lens of Outdoor Leadership

Although applicable to any setting, this Experiential Leadership Program (ELP) course explores topics of risk management and social justice through the lens of outdoor leadership. Students gain tools and insights to cultivate a safe and inclusive environment. Includes a weekend backpack trip (funding dependent). No experience necessary.

Credits

2

Instructor

The Staff

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 11E Leadership Spring Break Intensive: Backpacking the Canyons of Southern Utah

Experiential Leadership Program course focusing on tools to build a high functioning team that has the confidence and skill to work together, solve complex problems, and navigate challenges to achieve a shared goal. Includes a 10-day wilderness expedition as a testing ground to practice and apply new team skills. Includes leadership development, and learning about good expedition and team behavior. Enrollment is by instructor permission. (Formerly offered as STEV 13.)

Credits

2

Instructor

The Staff

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 11F Slug Ambassador

Develop the leadership and professional skills and confidence that will enable you to make a difference in your personal, academic, and professional life. Course offers students the opportunity to give back by sharing their stories and successes, engaging in networking events, and serving as role models for fellow students. Course limited to students participating in the Slug Ambassador program. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor.

Credits

3

Instructor

Miranda Allen

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 12 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

Instructor

Catherine Carlstroem

Quarter offered

Winter

COWL 50 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

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to first-year and sophomore college members, or by permission of instructor.

COWL 52 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

Instructor

Patricia Kelly

Quarter offered

Winter, Spring

COWL 64 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

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to first-year students.

COWL 66 Introduction to Systems Theory

Multidisciplinary overview of the problem-solving methodology known as Systems Theory. The word “system” is used every day, but few people understand what a system really is. What do different systems—from a digestive system to a legal system to a solar system—have in common? What are the laws that govern how systems operate, and how do problems arise? Our goal is to appreciate the fundamental roles that systems play in making daily life functional, in order to diagnose problems better and to generate novel and functional solutions.

Credits

5

Instructor

Addi Somekh

General Education Code

MF

Quarter offered

Winter, Spring

COWL 65 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.

Credits

5

Instructor

Addi Somekh

General Education Code

IM

Quarter offered

Spring

COWL 70A Introduction to Book Arts

Students learn techniques of bookbinding, construction, and design, and fundamentals of letterpress printing. Enrollment is by permission of instructor.

Credits

5

Instructor

Gary Young

General Education Code

IM

Quarter offered

Fall

COWL 70B 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.

Credits

5

Instructor

Gary Young

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): COWL 70A or by permission of instructor.

General Education Code

IM

Quarter offered

Winter

COWL 70C 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.

Credits

5

Instructor

Gary Young

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): COWL 70B or by instructor permission.

Repeatable for credit

Yes

General Education Code

IM

Quarter offered

Spring

COWL 86 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

Cross Listed Courses

STEV 86

Repeatable for credit

Yes

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 89 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

Instructor

Abigail Heald

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to participants in the first-year scholars program.

Quarter offered

Spring

COWL 93 Field Study

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

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 93F Field Study

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

Credits

2

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 94 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

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 94F 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

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 99 Tutorial

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

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 99F Tutorial

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

Credits

2

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 111 Mock Trial Workshop

Offers opportunities to improve students’ public speaking and communication skills through weekly exercises which challenge a student’s ability to think quickly, organize information effectively and speak persuasively. Students also learn and practice courtroom procedures and legal argument styles. Each week students learn about a facet of mock trial. Students focus on different speaking skills weekly. Speakers of all skill levels are welcome and receive constructive criticism both from peers and the teachers and participate in debates within a small team.

Credits

2

Instructor

Caitlin Stinneford

Repeatable for credit

Yes

General Education Code

PR-E

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 118B Words & Music: Poetry, Musical Theater, Opera

Study of significant texts enhanced by music for performance. Topics vary annually. Course compares original texts in English translation with their adaptation to musical theater (My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, etc.) and opera (Carmen, etc.)

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

COWL 122 United Nations Contemporary Issues

Introduces the Model United Nations through discussion of contemporary issues. Students learn parliamentary procedures and U.N. protocols, as well as how to work collaboratively to research and to present position papers. Students learn resolution writing, alliance building, and persuasive speech.

Credits

2

Instructor

Caitlin Stinneford

Repeatable for credit

Yes

General Education Code

PR-E

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 130 Living Harmoniously: Philosophy for Healing

Many religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions emphasize diverse paths and understandings to the strikingly similar goal for humans to live harmoniously amongst each other in society and in the natural world. This seminar focuses on exploring and examining such ideas across history from around the world with a particular focus on ideas that offer paths to healing for readers and practitioners. The course doesn’t presume to heal students, but rather to point out the tools provided by the philosophical process toward this individual end, as well as equipping students for interpersonal and community efforts at collective, cooperative healing.

Credits

5

Instructor

Andrew Wood

General Education Code

CC

Quarter offered

Winter, Spring

COWL 132 Hope

Interdisciplinary examination of the concept of hope, with particular emphasis on philosophical, psychological, and artistic approaches to the concept. Students consider viewpoints for and against hope as a human strength, and a variety of accounts of what constitutes hope.

Credits

5

General Education Code

PE-H

Quarter offered

Fall

COWL 135 The Path of Forgiveness

Explores forgiveness as both interpersonal relationships and political questions in a broader historical context. The thesis of the course is that forgiveness is a radical act and a major theme in philosophy and religion where it serves as a necessary step toward social solidarity in our contemporary moment of hyperpolarization. Explores how forgiveness can heal social divisions such as those constructed around religion, political affiliation, and identity. The course closes with historical examples of forgiveness in action, such as reparations and prison abolitionist movements.

Credits

5

Instructor

Andrew Wood

General Education Code

PE-H

Quarter offered

Winter, Spring

COWL 138A The Place of Higher Education in a Democratic Society

Centers around interviews of alumni and involves a reflective term paper on a specific topic having to do with the role of higher education in a democratic society. Teaches students how to conduct interviews.

Credits

5

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): COWL 80A or COWL 80B.

General Education Code

PE-H

COWL 140 Designing Your Life

Do you ever think, "I want to make a difference!" but don't know where to start? In this class, students learn design thinking theory and methods and apply them to their lives, specifically to the question of what to do after college. Students build deeper awareness of their values and goals, define areas of life and work they want to grow in, ideate multiple life paths, prototype elements of careers of interest, and take small steps to try these out. This is an experiential class that asks students to try new ways of thinking and step outside comfort zones as they learn a creative problem-solving approach applicable in many contexts. (Formerly offered as CLNI 140.)

Credits

5

Instructor

The Staff

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to juniors and seniors.

General Education Code

PE-H

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 140A Designing Your Life with the Cowell Alumni

How does one make decisions about those “big life” questions? From deciding “what the right thing to do to” is to how to have a career that enriches your life, how does one choose what to do? In this course, Cowell Alumni discuss how they made those “big life” decisions in the hopes that it can guide others. Course is designed to expand on the topics covered in COWL 140, Designing Your Life.

Credits

2

Instructor

Faye Crosby

COWL 156M Medical Ethics

How do we understand pain? How do we make ethical decisions on topics like organ transplantation and reproduction? What is the role of genetic technology in the future of medicine? What are the ethics of healthcare? What does climate change have to do with bioethics? In this interdisciplinary course, students delve into the morality and ethics of medicine, using bioethical frameworks to take on important scientific and human questions. This course is suitable for everyone, but in particular those interested in medical anthropology, pre-med, environmental studies, sociology, history of science, and philosophy. (Formerly Medical Ethics and Justice in Literature and Film.)

Credits

5

Instructor

Dawson Schultz

General Education Code

SI

COWL 158A Special Topics: Oral History

Introduction to the theory, practice, technology, and ethics of conducting oral history. Readings and expert guest speakers offer both theoretical and practical insights. Students plan and implement oral history projects in accordance with professional standards.

Credits

5

Instructor

Cameron Vanderscoff

Requirements

Enrollment restricted to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

General Education Code

PR-C

Quarter offered

Winter

COWL 161G Delicious: The Cookbook as Literature

Proposes an aesthetic approach to the cookbook. Students read from a series of cookbooks, and prepare a series of meals described in or inspired by the cookbooks read. Our interdisciplinary approach to food will allow us to interpret and analyze food as cultural storytelling, while also cultivating the spirit of hospitality through shared meals.

Credits

5

Instructor

Todd Thorpe

General Education Code

CC

Quarter offered

Winter

COWL 165 Fundraising Practicum

Covers the fundamental skills, ethics, and practices of crowd-sourced fundraising in the liberal arts. Students build a project portfolio that includes mission statement, donor-cultivation tools, and action reports. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. Meet with the instructor to verify enrollment in a Giving Day campaign with liberal arts focus.

Credits

3

Cross Listed Courses

HUMN 165

Instructor

Alan Christy

COWL 168 Social Change

How do you change the world, working alone and in concert with others? To find out students spend the quarter learning about how one non-profit organization of their choosing creates change in their community. Students research an agency, focusing on who is served, how funding works and how real change is created.

Credits

2

Instructor

Caitlin Stinneford

Repeatable for credit

Yes

General Education Code

PR-S

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 174 Global Leadership

Students learn about leadership styles, how leaders work with constituent groups, build cooperation, and develop implementation plans. Students learn to consider how decision making is done, and what is best practice for best working in a variety of communities and cultures. Enrollment is restricted to those participating in Virtual Global Internships.

Credits

3

Instructor

Caitlin Stinneford

General Education Code

PR-S

COWL 184A Leadership and Institution Building

Through lectures by senior administrators and student consensus-and-recommendation teams, students learn how leaders work with constituent groups, build cooperation, and develop implementation plans in an institution such as the University of California, specifically, UC Santa Cruz. Enrollment is restricted to undergraduates accepted in the Chancellor's Undergraduate Internship Program. Students submit applications winter quarter for the following academic year.

Credits

2

Instructor

Caitlin Stinneford

General Education Code

PR-S

Quarter offered

Fall

COWL 184B Leadership and Institution Building

Through lectures by senior administrators and student consensus-and-recommendation teams, students learn how leaders work with constituent groups, build cooperation, and develop implementation plans in an institution such as the University of California, specifically, UC Santa Cruz. Enrollment is restricted to undergraduates accepted in the Chancellor's Undergraduate Internship Program. Students submit applications winter quarter for the following academic year.

Credits

2

Instructor

Caitlin Stinneford

General Education Code

PR-S

Quarter offered

Winter

COWL 184C Leadership and Institution Building

Through lectures by senior administrators and student consensus-and-recommendation teams, students learn how leaders work with constituent groups, build cooperation, and develop implementation plans in an institution such as the University of California, specifically, UC Santa Cruz. Enrollment is restricted to undergraduates accepted in the Chancellor's Undergraduate Internship Program. Students submit applications winter quarter for the following academic year.

Credits

2

Instructor

Caitlin Stinneford

General Education Code

PR-S

Quarter offered

Spring

COWL 192 Directed Student Teaching

Teaching of a lower-division seminar under faculty supervision. (See COWL 42.) Upper-division standing required and a proposal supported by a faculty member willing to supervise.

Credits

5

COWL 193 Field Study

Program of study arranged between a group of students and an instructor, which may involve work with an off-campus or non-departmental agency (e.g., internship or field work). Interview only; prior arrangement with instructor. Enrollment is restricted to juniors and seniors.

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 193F Field Study

Program of study arranged between a group of students and an instructor, which may involve work with an off-campus or non-departmental agency (e.g., internship or field work). Interview only; prior arrangement with instructor. Enrollment is restricted to juniors and seniors.

Credits

2

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 194 Group Tutorial

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

Credits

5

Instructor

Alan Christy

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 194F Group Tutorial

A program of independent study arranged between a group of students and an instructor. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency. Enrollment is restricted to juniors and seniors.

Credits

2

Instructor

Alan Christy

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 195 Senior Thesis

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Credits

5

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 198 Independent Field Study

Provides for college-sponsored individual study programs off campus, for which faculty supervision is not in person (e.g., supervision is by correspondence.) Up to three such courses may be taken for credit in any one quarter. Approval of student's adviser, certification of adequate preparation, and approval by provost required.

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 199 Tutorial

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

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

COWL 199F Tutorial

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

Credits

2

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

Cross-listed courses that are managed by another department are listed at the bottom.

Cross-listed Courses

LALS 194F Digital Investigations and Human Rights Witnessing

Explores the emerging field of digital investigations and the concept of human rights witnessing. Within the context of the impact of social media and digital technologies, course explores how ethics, power, and social inequalities affect everyday life in the digital realm, including its use to share stories of injustice and the ways access to social media and other technology is a reflection of societal inequalities. In what ways has the digital divide become more evident due to the COVID-19 pandemic? And finally, in what ways does repeatedly viewing traumatic posts online affect our well-being?

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

COWL 161E

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): LALS 100, and LALS 100A, and previous or concurrent enrollment in LALS 100B. Enrollment is restricted to junior and senior Latin American and Latino studies majors and combined majors.

General Education Code

PE-T

THEA 161Y Modern Ancient Drama

Studies 20th- and 21st-century productions and adaptations of ancient Greek and Roman drama in theater, dance, music, and film, including Stravinsky, Graham, Pasolini, and Taymor. Discusses artists' goals, the sociopolitical context, ideas of authenticity and audience response.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

COWL 161Y

Instructor

The Staff