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. Addresses large-scale political, cultural, and economic issues to inform global citizenship.

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.

Groundwater is a challenging resource to manage and conserve, one critically depleted across our state, country and world. Course explores the many manifestations of groundwater access, use and justice on multiple interlocking scales (i.e. local, national, transnational) while illustrating analytical ideas connecting to a range of socio-environmental processes including urbanization and infrastructure development, deprivation and exclusion, privatization of land and water, and claims for human rights. We will draw from cases based on our multi-country research project that brings together scholars and practitioners from Latin America, Europe, Africa and South Asia. Students will have the opportunity to conduct qualitative and secondary research contributing to the California case study in the Central Coast, focused on groundwater governance and perspectives of Latinx farmworkers and residents. 

Students in this course design and build a new community garden at Colleges Nine and Ten. Students engage in a collaborative design process with campus stakeholders; learn hands-on skills and community gardening best practices; and build regenerative social and ecological systems.

Workshop facilitated by peer instructors. Students learn about current international and global issues through interactive exercises, small-group discussions, and faculty presentations. Students develop an action plan to raise awareness about one or more of these concerns and take practical steps to create positive change in the world.

Students newly appointed into leadership positions at College Nine explore the concept of leadership relating to the college's theme of International and Global Perspectives. Prerequisite(s): current College Nine student leader; permission of instructor.

Provides an opportunity to enhance the intercultural experience, increase cultural competency, promote further understanding, and examine the various trends facing a uniquely diverse community. Geared toward U.S. and international students affiliated with the International Living Center. Enrollment by instructor permission.

Weekly colloquium on global issues with different topical focus each quarter. Presentations by UCSC faculty and invited speakers. Students must attend class, read an assigned article, and write a one-page synopsis.