College Courses – Stevenson College

Academic Life at Stevenson College

Stevenson offers a rich array of academic programming for the benefit of Stevenson students and the UCSC campus. In addition to the Core Courses, Stevenson offers a variety of courses on being a student, improving study skills, tutoring, and even what to do after college. Stevenson’s extremely popular Rainbow Theater course offers students hands-on experience creating multicultural theater (Stevevenson 80H).

Students at Stevenson may also work one-on-one with a faculty member to develop an individual studies course. Interested students should contact an academic adviser.

Stevenson sponsors a rich faculty lecture series, where faculty fellows of the college discuss their current research. These lectures inspire wide discussion among faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates.

Explore College Courses

Core Courses

All ten residential colleges at UCSC require their freshmen to take a Core course. Unlike other colleges’ one quarter Core, Stevenson’s Core course, “Self and Society,” is two quarters long. Stevenson’s second quarter of Core satisfies a further general education requirement, the TA, or textual analysis designation. Because students explore relationships between selves and societies for two quarters, our core course embodies, defines, and redefines our academic traditions and community. Furthermore, after two quarters of the core course, Stevenson students are confident of their abilities to succeed as students at UCSC and to engage in contemporary debates about selves and societies in communities outside the university.

Students in majors that have a large number of course requirements, including those in the Baskin School of Engineering who are also subject to the policy that they must complete three of a specified set of courses by the end of their first year, should consider how they plan to fit both the 2 quarter college core course and their intended major’s first year requirements into their first year at UCSC. Students are encouraged to consult with both their college and major advisers.

The Community

Nothing encourages a strong community at Stevenson more than Self & Society. Writing assistants, who have taken the course, provide individual help with papers and meet with writing groups in residence house lounges. Because the core course happens in the College, students and faculty see each other more, get to know one another, and talk about core outside of class time. Many of the best core course discussions happen late at night in the residence houses, at the Stevenson Coffee House, or over lunch. Core is a common experience that Stevensonians share and treasure.

Stevenson 1: Academic Literacy: Self and Society

Introduction to University Discourse: Self and Society. College 1 helps students develop academic and civic proficiency in reading, critical thinking, and “academic ethos,” and habits of mind and practice tied to a sense of belonging and academic success. This course prepares students for success in other UCSC courses requiring critical thinking, listening, discussion, and effective communication. It explores rhetorical principles and conventions of university discourse and considers the roots of modern society using foundational religious texts and major classical and modern philosophical works. Enrollment is restricted to first-year college members. Enrollment limited to 30.

Stevenson 2: Academic Literacy: Self and Society

The Winter quarter class that follows College 1 continues the development of critical reading, analysis, and effective speaking exploring conflicts inherent in modern society. The course fulfills the TA GE and investigates themes of colonization, race, gender, class, as well as cultural conflict. Enrollment is restricted to first-year and sophomore college members and limited to 30 students.

Please note: students in major programs with a large number of requirements will need to plan carefully to make sure they allow room in their fall and winter schedules for the core course. However, Stevenson students in the Multilingual Curriculum, i.e. students who place into WRIT 25 or WRIT 26 upon matriculation at UC Santa Cruz, will be exempt from being required to take STEV 2.

Stevenson Honor Code

Adlai E. Stevenson College was founded on and is devoted to the common pursuit of academic excellence, honesty, diversity, community, individual freedom, individual responsibility and integrity in all aspects of college life. We honor the differences of persons both in their private lives and in the contributions they make to our common life. Free expressions of views and mutual respect are crucial to our community and we encourage the participation of all who share this commitment in our community. Individual freedom in a community requires respect for one another and for the beauty of the college; and responsibility for personal actions, regardless of circumstances, is required of every Stevenson student. Academic integrity fosters a positive learning environment and is required of all students. As members of Stevenson College, we believe these values to be essential and we seek to foster these values in all members of the Stevenson community.

Stevenson’s success as an intellectual and residential community is predicated upon its willingness to first articulate its standard of conduct and second to strive to foster in its members the qualities of character and responsible behavior necessary to the well being of the Stevenson College community.

The Stevenson College Honor Code is based upon the Stevenson College Statement of Principles and aims:

To sustain Stevenson College community commitment to honesty and integrity in the academic classroom;
To cultivate and maintain an environment conducive to Stevenson College’s academic and residential mission;
To ensure that all members of Stevenson College and their guests remain free from unwarranted interference or harm;
To hold all members of Stevenson College, whether individuals or groups, responsible for their actions and behavior; and
To uphold the campus Academic Integrity Policy.

“Conduct which discriminates on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, age, social class, religion, creed, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability or political views” will be challenged within the community. Any conduct which constitutes a violation of the campus rules and the campus Academic Integrity policy (UCSC Rule Book section 102.00, “Grounds for Discipline”) may result in the loss of membership and its privileges in the Stevenson College community.

Class Schedule

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Course Catalog

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Course #

Course Title

Course Level

Units

STEV 1

Academic Literacy and Ethos: Self and Society

Lower Division

5 units

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 roots of modern society using diverse religious texts and major classical and modern philosophical works. Enrollment is restricted to college members. Enrollment limited to 30.

STEV 1A

Introduction to University Life and Learning

Lower Division

1 units

Orientation to and an 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 Stevenson College students.

STEV 1B

Stevenson Core On the Trail: An Outdoor Supplement to the Stevenson Core Course

Lower Division

2 units

As an outdoor, walking support class for students concurrently enrolled in Stevenson’s College 1 Core Course, this ”Core Walks” course provides an opportunity for students to discuss the week’s reading while exploring UCSC’s extraordinary campus on foot. As our walks will be an hour and a half in length and will take place on trails with uneven, unpaved surfaces with some steep uphill portions, students should have appropriate walking shoes and be ready to hike, explore, and experience nature. Students prepare for each walk having read the assigned reading and prepared questions to generate conversations about the reading while walking. Students are expected to bring the week’s reading, a composition book, and water for each walk. . Concurrent enrollment in STEV 1 required. Enrollment is restricted to Stevenson frosh and sophomores. Enrollment limited to 20. May be repeated for credit.

STEV 2

Self and Society 2

Lower Division

5 units

Winter quarter of Stevenson’s core course continues development of analytical writing, critical reading, and effective speaking in exploring conflicts inherent in modern society. Investigates themes of colonization, race, gender, class, and cultural conflict. (Formerly course 81A.) Enrollment is restricted to first-year and sophomore college members. Enrollment limited to 25. (General Education Code(s): TA.)

STEV 10

Skills for College and Beyond

Lower Division

2 units

Applications of practical skills for effective, meaningful study in the context of a full, busy life. Topics include learning styles, time management, test preparation, and life balance. Specific techniques for efficient reading comprehension, note-taking, memorization, and self-assessment are introduced. Enrollment limited to 15. May be repeated for credit.

STEV 16

Stevenson Community Garden

Lower Division

2 units

Hands-on course in ecological horticulture at the Stevenson garden. Students grow the Stevenson community through gardening and projects focused on building a healthy and regenerative local-foods culture. Enrollment by interview only. Enrollment restricted to Stevenson College members. Enrollment limited to 16.

STEV 21

Citizens and Nations: Self and Society in the 19th Century

Lower Division

2 units

A reading seminar focusing on a set of key texts. Examines how the political and industrial revolutions of the 19th century fundamentally transformed the relationships between individuals and their respective societies. Enrollment is restricted to Stevenson College members. Enrollment limited to 20.

STEV 22

Self and Society in Classical Social Theory

Lower Division

2 units

Reading seminar focusing on a set of key texts from classical social theory. Explores the transition from traditional to modern societies. Authors addressed may include Locke, Rousseau, de Tocqueville, Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. Enrollment is restricted to Stevenson College members. Enrollment limited to 20.

STEV 26

Navigating the Research University

Lower Division

2 units

Explores critical engagement in education in the context of a research university. Introduces first-year issues and success strategies and ways to participate in the institution’s academic life. Investigates strategies for clarifying education goals and devising a plan for success. Students cannot receive credit for this course and PRTR 26 or KRSG 26. Enrollment is restricted to first-year students.

STEV 27

Service Learning

Lower Division

2 units

This online course frames and supports the service-learning experiences of students engaged in field placements both here in Santa Cruz and in their home communities. Students approach social challenges thematically (e.g., homelessness, environmentalism, domestic violence, etc.) and consider how different disciplines might engage these issues. They consider how our community partners conceptualize and address social issues and how these conceptions connect, or fail to connect, with academic approaches, Enrollment limited to 25. (General Education Code(s): PR-S.)

STEV 30

Thesis Writing and Editing

Lower Division

2 units

Identifies and examines the assumptions, expectations, and formats of writing in students’ fields, with the goal of beginning—or continuing—academic research. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Composition requirement. Enrollment restricted to junior and senior college members and by permission of instructor. Enrollment limited to 25.

STEV 33

Self and Society Examined Through Ethical Dilemmas

Lower Division

2 units

Examines ethical dilemmas in contemporary topics, such as the status of moral principles during warfare; animal rights and the ethics of eating meat; privacy in the age of the Internet; imprisonment and rehabilitation; legal and illegal immigration; same-sex marriage; and health care.

STEV 35

Everyday Ethics for College Life

Lower Division

2 units

Exploration of and reflection on everyday values and virtues such as integrity, open-mindedness, honesty, and community. Objectives include learning how to think about moral dilemmas and how to begin drafting one’s own code of ethics. Enrollment is restricted to college members. Enrollment limited to 20.

STEV 38

Critical Thinking for the Misinformation Age

Lower Division

2 units

Focuses on the acquisition of critical thinking skills and their application to issues that affect today’s students. Topics include rationality, fallacies, cognitive biases, bullshit, propaganda, the internet, and artificial intelligence. Enrollment limited to 25.

STEV 40

Love and Politics: An Academic Exploration

Lower Division

5 units

Explores the intersection of love and politics, asking how we can bring love into our political lives as responsible citizens. By examining historical, feminist, activist literature, and pop culture, students investigate the practical and political applications of love. Through this lens, the course challenges traditional notions of politics and considers how love can shape activism and citizenship. Enrollment limited to 25. (General Education Code(s): PE-H.)

STEV 41

Spirituality in a Modern World

Lower Division

2 units

Investigates scientific and pragmatic perspectives on spirituality from William James to Fritjof Capra. Explores spirituality in Western and Eastern traditions from Martin Buber to Pema Chodron. Students analyze, support, and articulate their spiritual positions in a culminating paper. Enrollment is restricted to Stevenson College members. Enrollment limited to 20.

STEV 43

Comparative Nationalisms in Historical Perspective

Lower Division

5 units

From the white nationalist demonstrations in the USA to Brexit and the resurgence of populist movements in India and Europe, nationalism is resurgent worldwide. In this course, students conduct research into a current nationalist movement of their choice. . Enrollment restricted to students in the College Scholars Program. Enrollment limited to 25. (General Education Code(s): CC.)

STEV 44

Shakespeare Research Seminar

Lower Division

5 units

Introduces students to different forms of literary research through the works of William Shakespeare. Together, students read five plays, along with articles that represent a range of methodological approaches to literary scholarship and research. In addition to a final paper, four research exercises are assigned throughout the quarter, of which students must complete two of their choosing. Each exercise requires a different methodology: a review of scholarship, historical research, history of theatrical production, and literary allusion. Enrollment is restricted to students enrolled in the College Scholars Program. Enrollment limited to 25. May be repeated for credit. (General Education Code(s): TA.)

STEV 45

Creation and its Discontents: From Human to Posthuman

Lower Division

5 units

Considers the trajectory of creation, from the birth of humankind to the advent of the posthuman. Beginning with depictions of God’s creation of humans in the Garden of Eden, course also examines Frankenstein’s creation of the “human” at the advent of modern science, and technology’s creation of the posthuman in the modern age. Broad and varied selection of readings consider the following questions: What does it mean to be human? How do we define the human and draw the boundary between it and the nonhuman? How does the nonhuman help us to understand ourselves? What is the relationship between creator and created? What obligations does the creator have to that which they create? Enrollment limited to 25. (General Education Code(s): TA.)

STEV 50A

Stevenson Alumni Careers in Law

Lower Division

2 units

Connecting students with alumni who provide practical advice for careers in law. Topics covered include the variety of career possibilities in law, preparing for law school, internships, networking, applying for jobs, and interviewing. This class does not accept new students after Week 2.

STEV 50B

Stevenson Alumni Careers in Science and Technology

Lower Division

2 units

Connecting students with alumni who provide practical advice for careers in science and technology. Topics covered include internships, graduate school, networking, applying for jobs, interviewing, and adapting to a rapidly changing job market. This class does not accept new students after week 2.

STEV 80F

Academic Success in the College Core Course

Lower Division

3 units

Provides support for reading, understanding, and engaging with difficult Core texts; models and facilitates college-level discussion; provides instruction in collaborative processes; encourages community-building with the college; and helps acclimate students to university culture. Enrollment is restricted to first-year Stevenson students who have been placed in the Multilingual Curriculum. Enrollment limited to 25.

STEV 80G

Self and Society Through Film

Lower Division

5 units

Uses feature films and documentaries to address and discuss perspectives of “self and society.” Films include Star Wars, The Hunger Games, and The Matrix. (General Education Code(s): IM.)

STEV 80H

Rainbow Theater: An Introduction to Multicultural Theater

Lower Division

5 units

Introduction to Asian American, Chicano/Latino, and African American plays through reading of major authors, discussion of social and historical context of their work, and development of a production of a one-act play from each cultural group. In-depth examination of key historical context of these three cultural groups. Video presentations followed by class discussion. Enrollment by audition. (Formerly offered solely as STEV 80H. Now offered as both THEA 56R and STEV 80H, with THEA 56R the primary offering and STEV 80H the crosslisted offering.) (Also offered as Theater Arts 56R. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Enrollment limited to 80. May be repeated for credit. (General Education Code(s): ER.)

STEV 80T

Self and Society for Transfer Students

Lower Division

5 units

Condensed version of Stevenson’s core course for transfer students. Develops analytical writing, critical reading, and effective speaking by considering influential philosophical works while exploring cultural conflicts in modern society. Themes include imperialism, racism, and class conflict. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. Enrollment is restricted to college members. Enrollment limited to 25.

STEV 86

Leading Social Change

Lower Division

2 units

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. (Also offered as Cowell College 86. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) May be repeated for credit. (General Education Code(s): PR-E.)

STEV 96

Theory and Practice of Peer-Guided Learning for Tutors and Learning Assistants

Lower Division

2 units

Provides first-time tutors and supplemental-instruction learning assistants with the theoretical background and practical interactive teaching and learning strategies essential for planning, implementing, and evaluating effective peer-guided learning.

STEV 99

Tutorial

Lower Division

5 units

Tutorial.

STEV 120

Self and Society: Teaching Practicum

Upper Division

5 units

In pairs, students facilitate one seminar section of STEV 2, attend lectures, and meet with faculty for mentoring and guidance through the teaching process. Students are responsible for designing and executing lesson plans, creating assignments, and for evaluating student work. Prerequisite(s): STEV 80 or STEV 1, and STEV 81 or STEV 2. Admission to the program by application and subsequent interview. Applications are available each fall in early October from the college office and interviews are conducted in early November. Qualifications include, but are not limited to, excellent performance in the core courses, good academic standing, leadership experience, genuine passion for teaching, and caring for fellow students. Strong candidates will be skilled in time management, organization, communication, and judgment. . Enrollment limited to 5.

STEV 136

Imagination

Upper Division

5 units

Examines contemporary perspectives on the theme of imagination. Course readings include philosophical treatments of imagination, Indigenous imaginative cultural formations, and Black radical imaginations for socio-spatial liberation. Addresses the following questions: To what extent is imagination tied to our particular position, culture, and time period? What are some ways to expand our imaginations and when are these approaches limited? And how can imagination help us advance radical social change? Explores imagination as an inherently cross-cultural topic and teaches students to present, analyze, and critically discuss philosophical and sociological arguments about imagination. Students cannot receive credit for this course and PHIL 136C, PRTR 175A / PHIL 136B, or COWL 175A/PHIL 136A. (Also offered as Philosophy 136C. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Enrollment limited to 25.

STEV 192

Directed Student Teaching

Upper Division

5 units

Teaching of a lower-division seminar under faculty supervision (see course 42). Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing and a proposal supported by a faculty member willing to supervise.

STEV 193

Field Study

Upper Division

5 units

Provides for individual programs of study, sponsored by the college and performed off-campus. This course may be counted for up to three courses of credit in any quarter. Prerequisite(s): approval of student’s adviser and the academic preceptor, and, in the case of full-time study, the board of studies supervising the major. May be repeated for credit.

STEV 198

Independent Field Study

Upper Division

5 units

Provides for college-sponsored individual study programs off campus, for which faculty supervision is not in person (e.g., supervision is by correspondence). Up to three such courses may be taken for credit in any one quarter. Prerequisite(s): approval of the student’s adviser, certification of adequate preparation, approval by the academic preceptor. May be repeated for credit.

STEV 199F

Tutorial

Upper Division

2 units

Individual projects carried out under the supervision of a Stevenson faculty member. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency. May be repeated for credit.