Lower-Division

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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