College Courses

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. Engages students in Rachel Carson’s intellectual tradition of investigating relationships between environment and society. Enrollment is restricted to college members. Enrollment limited to 30.

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. . Enrollment is restricted to entering first-year Rachel Carson College students.

An interactive course providing students with the 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 are all explored. Enrollment by permission of college adviser. Enrollment limited to 30.

Lower-division introduction to the sustainabilities and social justice minor. Students grapple with the complex and interconnected challenges of the climate crisis, settler colonialism, and racial capitalism as theoretical lenses to explore the different ways “sustainability” as a term is taken up and used in different contexts for different goals. (General Education Code(s): PE-E.)

Introduces tips and techniques to supplement and expand a student’s existing repertoire of science/mathematics problem-solving skills for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classes. The material covered is intended to aid development as a confident learner and future expert in the student’s major. Enrollment is restricted to first-year through third-year students. Others may enroll with instructor permission. Enrollment limited to 25.

Introduces tips and techniques to supplement and expand a student’s existing repertoire of science/mathematics problem-solving skills for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classes. The material covered is intended to aid development as a confident learner and future expert in the student’s major.

Students consider the representation of the sea in selected texts, noting how it becomes the focal point for the fears, hopes, and prejudices of Western civilization. Students write critical papers and their own narratives. Enrollment restricted to first-year and sophomore college members. Enrollment limited to 25.

Students understand their peers and themselves better through an exploration of issues that affect the daily life of college students. Topics include campus/student cultures, the academic system, and other critical issues. Overview of campus resources also provided. Enrollment restricted to first-year and sophomore College members.

Examines issues of oppression, privilege, and social justice within a global and environmental context through self-reflective and group work. May include an optional service-learning component requiring travel during spring break. Enrollment limited to 20.

A case study of the 1970s-1990s UC Santa Cruz effort to restore a nearly extinct peregrine falcon population including reviews of the Endangered Species Act, falcon physiology, and the innovative conservation biology techniques that led to success. Enrollment limited to 26.

Overview of theories of student development, critical student issues, and skills needed for appropriate peer leadership interventions. Utilizes a variety of learning modes including readings, discussions, case studies, lectures, and group projects. Interview only: approval of instructor; Resident Assistant (RA) pre-employment training course. Enrollment limited to 25. May be repeated for credit.

Introduces service-learning theory and practice for students engaging in service-learning work in the college, college-related projects, community service organizations, or public agencies. Enrollment restricted to college members until after priority enrollment. Enrollment limited to 40. May be repeated for credit. (General Education Code(s): PR-S.)

Students develop and work on media projects related to the college theme of “Environment and Society” in film, on television, in print, and on the Internet. Students work in groups with specific instructors and project leaders. Enrollment by application and instructor consent. May be repeated for credit.

Analyzes sustainability and its application in daily life and on campus, involving collaboration between students, faculty, staff, administration, and the community. Guest lecturers, discussions, an optional UC-wide retreat, and essays allow engagement with aspects of ecological and social sustainability.

Introduces students and prospective entrepreneurs to the ingredients required to successfully create and finance a sustainability-minded startup or nonprofit in the global economy. Emphasis is placed on ethical business practice, tools for understanding markets and supply chains, and building value for all stakeholders, including communities and the environment. . (Also offered as Electrical & Computer Engineer 80G. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) (General Education Code(s): CC.)

Students examine the interconnectedness of natural and social systems as they evaluate, interpret, and debate evidence and explanations of climate change. Includes interviewing family members, friends, and professionals for a variety of divergent views on the climate change debate. Class sessions are devoted to student discussion of the course materials, including readings, take-home assignments and pre-recorded videos. The class culminates with a written proposal and group presentations of ideas for solutions, with the guidance of the instructor, addressing one of the ”grand challenges” presented in the course with the goal of empowering students to emerge as critical thinkers and actors equipped with a solution-based mindset. (Also offered as Electrical & Computer Engineer 80H. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) (General Education Code(s): PE-H.)

Introduces key technological solutions to environmental problems; discusses their underlying principles; and examines their societal dimensions. Topics include: conventional and renewable energy; emerging technologies for transportation, energy efficiency clean water; planetary engineering; and lean manufacturing. (Also offered as Electrical & Computer Engineer 81C. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Enrollment is restricted to first-year and sophomore college members. (General Education Code(s): SI.)

Students write about and discuss a variety of films and articles about environment and society. Topics may include water, food systems, wilderness, wildlife, pollution, global warming, nuclear energy, conservation, and environmental activism. Enrollment limited to 42.

Learn sustainable, ecologically sound horticulture, permaculture, and small-scale organic agricultural practices through hands-on gardening experience. This outdoor interdisciplinary course operates within a food justice framework. (Formerly Rachel Carson College Garden Internship.) . Enrollment restricted to college members. Other students by permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 10. May be repeated for credit.

What is the role of writing in the environmental justice movement? What is the role of art and narrative during times of global change? In this interdisciplinary creative nonfiction course, students explore the expansive and exciting genre of creative nonfiction. This course is structured as a writing workshop class, which means our central activity throughout the quarter will be writing nonfiction essays and sharing them with the class in a generative, community-oriented setting. No previous creative nonfiction writing experience is necessary, just a willingness to explore writing, take risks, and attend to the work of others with care. Enrollment limited to 20. (General Education Code(s): PR-C.)

Advanced practicum for the application of skills and theoretical knowledge studied in CRSN 28. Uses many learning modes including readings, discussions, case studies, lectures, and group projects. Prerequisite(s): CRSN 28. Enrollment by permission of instructor. Enrollment limited to 25. May be repeated for credit.

Introduces the concepts, methods, practices, and tools of the trade for conceptualizing and conducting research in sustainability praxis in the built and natural environment, and the quantitative and analytical tools required to conduct such analysis and research. . (General Education Code(s): PE-T.)

Teaches how to become innovators and entrepreneurs, develop projects and enterprises, and adopt professional practices. Focuses on sustainability for students in Sustainability Studies, especially in connection with students’ research and interests.

Introduces the concepts, skills, and strategies fundamental to the successful development of sustainability-related projects appropriate to the Sustainability Lab. Provides access to functional and living laboratory space, equipment, professional development, and technical training. Enrollment limited to 25. May be repeated for credit.

Introduces the concepts, skills, and strategies fundamental to the successful development of sustainability-related projects in the field, for community and ecosystem development. Provides technical and professional training in quantitative and qualitative methods for data accumulation using laboratory and field equipment for resource assessment, data analysis, and efficiency in water and energy systems. . Enrollment limited to 25. (General Education Code(s): SR.)

Laboratory designed to advance sustainability education with real-world impact. Enables students to develop as change agents and to make valued contributions to sustainable-design projects that advance new technologies or strategies and bring about societal and environmental change. Enrollment is restricted to sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students. Enrollment limited to 20. May be repeated for credit.

For students undertaking sustainability-oriented service-learning work in the college (college-related projects, community service organizations, or public agencies). Students are supervised by the instructor and project supervisor, and determine the content of their internship with the instructor and supervisor. Enrollment restricted to college members or by permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit. (General Education Code(s): PR-S.)

Centered around an internship, students learn how to use design thinking and lean innovation tools to research global sustainability problems, design innovative solutions, prototype and test them, and launch them in the real world. These tools will help students initiate and develop sustainability innovation projects in companies, non-profit organizations, startups, government, and more, with the intention to make a positive impact on people and the environment. This course fulfills a requirement for the sustainability minor, and is also open to any students from other minors and majors. . Enrollment limited to 25.

Prepares students to facilitate working groups for “Sustainable Living” (courses 61/161) during the spring quarter. The skills acquired during this course include: facilitation skills; problem-solving; syllabus planning; curriculum building; experiential learning techniques; leadership skills; cultural competence; and non-violent communication training. Enrollment by interview only. Enrollment restricted to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Enrollment limited to 20.

Analyzes sustainability and its application in daily life and on campus, involving collaboration between students, faculty, staff, administration, and the community. Guest lecturers, discussions, an optional UC-wide retreat, and essays allow engagement with aspects of ecological and social sustainability. Enrollment limited to 25.

Introduces students to sustainable practices and state, local, and UC-wide policies through projects. Matches students with UCSC staff partners to work collaboratively on projects that integrate sustainability into aspects of campus operations. Supports students to develop the competencies necessary to become effective environmental professionals through learning models including hands-on work experience; professional skills training; guest lectures; reading, and discussion; and peer-to-peer advising. In addition to project deliverables, students complete and present a portfolio of their work upon completion of their project. Enrollment limited to Sustainability Office Interns and by instructor permission; an interview, resume, and cover letter are required. Enrollment limited to 20. May be repeated for credit. (General Education Code(s): PR-S.)

May be repeated for credit.