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 first-year college members.

Quarter offered

Fall

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

Miranda Allen-Brower

General Education Code

PR-E

Quarter offered

Fall, Summer

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

Miranda Allen-Brower

General Education Code

PR-E

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

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

Miranda Allen-Brower

General Education Code

PR-E

Quarter offered

Spring, Summer

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

Miranda Allen-Brower

General Education Code

PR-E

Quarter offered

Winter, Summer

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

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to college members during priority enrollment.

Quarter offered

Spring

COWL 39 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

COWL 40 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

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, Summer

COWL 61 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

Instructor

Catherine Carlstroem, James Wilson

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): COWL 80A or COWL 80B; enrollment is restricted to college members.

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 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

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. Students are billed a materials fee.

Credits

5

Instructor

Gary Young

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. Students are billed a materials fee.

Credits

5

Instructor

Gary Young

Requirements

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

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. Students are billed a materials fee.

Credits

5

Instructor

Gary Young

Requirements

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

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Spring

COWL 78 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

Instructor

Maureen Callanan

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to College Scholar students.

General Education Code

PE-T

COWL 82 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

Instructor

Faye Crosby

General Education Code

PE-H

COWL 83 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

Instructor

Bruce Thompson

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to Cowell and Crown Honors students.

General Education Code

CC

COWL 84 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

Instructor

Raoul Birnbaum

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to College Scholars students.

General Education Code

CC

Quarter offered

Fall

COWL 85 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

Instructor

David Keenan

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 87 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

Instructor

Matthew O'Hara

Requirements

Enrollment is restricted to College Scholar students.

General Education Code

CC

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

Matthew O'Hara

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