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. The Oakes core course considers the intersections between reading, personal and social identities, and social justice.
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.
Instructor
Nirshan Perera
Students use worksheets designed to help them solve problems by thinking critically, and participate in answering project-based questions relevant to the themes of their college core courses. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 2 or placement (MP) score of 200 or higher. Concurrent enrollment in Mathematics 3 is required. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor.
Provides opportunity to assess and revise methods of and purposes in studying. Critical, effective approaches to reading, writing, participating in lectures and sections, taking exams, balancing competing responsibilities, and utilizing campus resources explored. Enrollment by permission of college adviser.
Instructor
Lindsay Knisely
Quarter offered
Fall, Winter
Teaches leadership skills to create effective teams, and motivates individuals to communicate effectively with teammates with different styles. Enrollment is restricted to first-year and sophomore college members and by permission of instructor.
General Education Code
PR-E
Explores critical engagement in education within the U.S. research university context. Introduces sociohistorical perspectives on how new students (frosh and transfer) can navigate the opportunities and challenges of the institution's academic life from a critical race and decolonial theoretical lens. Provides strategies to define goals, develop an action-oriented plan toward academic, career, and civic-oriented outcomes, and examine and build students' own social and cultural capital.
Quarter offered
Fall, Spring
Substantial writing and revision for a piece of writing relevant to a student's field. Focuses on academic research, documentation, editing, and revision. Enrollment restricted to junior and senior college members. Enrollment by permission of instructor.
The purpose of the class is to bring visibility to multiracial and multicultural populations on college campuses. Students explore readings and other course content to understand the experiences of multiracial people. They explore different ways to advocate for multiracial people who may not have space or a voice in research or in popular cultural outlets (e.g., mainstream media). The goal is to raise awareness of multiracial people by elevating multiracial students' voices and experiences.
Instructor
LaTecia Yarbrough
General Education Code
ER
Quarter offered
Fall, Winter, Spring
Through experiential methodologies of self-leadership and mind-body practices, this course encourages students to discover and flex those internal resources which enhance resilience, foster psycho-emotional and community-building skills, and affirm their cultural dignity. Enrollment is by application and permission of the instructor. First-pass enrollment is restricted to Oakes students. Second-pass enrollment open to all students.
Instructor
Silvia Austerlic
Students learn about the power of story to make change through this Storytelling for Justice project. Students practice developing personal life stories, learn to create and facilitate community space, and participate in a community storytelling event focused on intersectional identities.
General Education Code
PR-S
For publication in an Oakes College literary journal, students significantly refine an essay from the fall quarter Oakes College core course. Course work includes consideration of a substantive text that engages core course themes and promotes the focus of the essay.
Engages the themes of Oakes College (respect for diversity and social justice) and the interests of UCSC's Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. Topics include the racial politics of food, farm labor, organic farming, and activism.
Instructor
Mark Baker, Robin King
Students examine issues in the work of contemporary American women poets representing a range of cultural, sexual, socioeconomic, and ideological identities. Discussion focuses on theories of poetics as well as poetry analysis and interpretation within the context of social and cultural identity. Students create a portfolio of their own poetry in response to weekly prompts.
Instructor
Lindsay Knisely
General Education Code
PR-C
Students study the founding and development of Oakes College through oral history. Students immerse themselves in thorough background research and build skills necessary to conduct oral histories with previous Oakes affiliates, revising pieces suitable for publication.
Mentors introduce first-year students to campus resources, provide them with academic support, share academic successes and difficulties, and offer guidance on college adjustment. Enrollment is restricted to College members. Please apply to be a mentor or a mentee online on the Oakes College Mentoring website.
Instructor
Lindsay Knisely
General Education Code
PR-S
Overview of theories, methods, applications, skills, and special topics focusing on college student development and leadership. Uses a variety of learning modes including lecture, discussion, case studies, small group interaction, and presentations. Interview only: see Oakes coordinator for residential education during spring enrollment period. Enrollment restricted to Oakes College members.
Explores how social identities, life practices, and power are reflected and shaped by the spaces and places we live in. Combines local history and contemporary research with placements in the community focusing on justice for children, youth, and families; topics vary by year and seek to build on the understanding and community relationships advanced through winter quarter research.
General Education Code
PR-S
Introduction to multicultural theater and multicultural plays that aims to bring cultural awareness to all students interested in theater discipline. Students are required to read and critically analyze contemporary plays of color with emphasis on race and culture in contemporary American society.
Instructor
Donald Williams
Quarter offered
Fall, Winter
Supervised off-campus study conducted under the immediate and direct guidance of a faculty supervisor. To be used primarily by lower-division students doing part-time off-campus study. Prerequisite(s): approval of student's adviser, certification of adequate preparation, approval of provost.
A program of independent study arranged between a group of students and a faculty instructor. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.
Directed reading on selected topics in literature. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.
Individual study for lower-division students directed by a fellow of Oakes. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.
Independent study on various topics to be arranged between student and instructor. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.
Quarter offered
Fall, Winter, Spring
Cross-listed Courses
Explores the history and practice of Latino media in the U.S. with an emphasis on work created by, for, with, and about Latino constituencies. Course highlights the role that media plays in struggles for social change, political enfranchisement, creative self-expression, and cultural development. Course content varies with instructor.
Cross Listed Courses
OAKS 128
General Education Code
IM
Reviews broad trends in contemporary Mexican politics against the backdrop of long-term historical, social, and economic change throughout the 20th century, analyzing how power is both wielded from above and created from below. The course covers national politics, grassroots movements for social change and democratization, environmental challenges, indigenous movements, the media, and the politics of immigration and North American integration.
Cross Listed Courses
OAKS 80D
General Education Code
CC
Offers a basic introduction to key aspects of the Legal Profession, generally, as well as an introduction to the specific area of the profession known as Legal Aid -- the system and services through which under-served communities gain access to legal services. Course covers key elements of the legal profession and legal aid work, offering practical information and training on topics such as professional responsibility, ethics, confidentiality, interviewing skills, record keeping, communication, and working with diverse clients. It is particularly designed as a preparation or companion course for law-related internships and field student through courses such as
OAKS 188B / LGST 188B (3 credits),
OAKS 199, or
LGST 185 Internship (5 credits). Enrollment by permission of the instructor.
Cross Listed Courses
OAKS 188A