Lower-Division

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

Instructor

Alan Christy

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to college members.

Quarter offered

Fall

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

Instructor

Todd Thorpe

Requirements

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

Quarter offered

Summer

COWL 10 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

COWL 11A Experiential Leadership Program Core Course: Tools for Leadership and Conflict Resolution

Students gain skills and confidence to lead groups; develop a leadership mindset; build tools for communication, conflict resolution, and receiving feedback; cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment. (Formerly offered as STEV 11A.)

Credits

2

Instructor

The Staff

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 11B ELP Core Course: Leadership From the Inside Out, Networking and Professionalism

Gain insights, tools, and confidence to identify and pursue goals, dreams, and aspirations. This Experiential Leadership Program course focuses on developing greater self-awareness, and practical tools for getting where you want to go. Includes an all day adventure hike. No experience necessary. (Formerly offered as STEV 11B.)

Credits

2

Instructor

The Staff

General Education Code

PR-E

COWL 11C ELP Core Course: Tone-Setting and Leading with Cultural/Emotional Intelligence

Experiential Learning Program course in which students gain insights and confidence to work with multicultural and global teams. Focuses on developing a mindset and frameworks that support people to work effectively with one another. Includes an all-day sea kayak adventure (funding dependent). No experience necessary.

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

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