Special Academic Programs and Classes
Various programs are designed to involve College Nine students in academic and co-curricular activities beyond the Fall core course. They include the following:
Exploring A World of Possibilities Workshop: College Nine students have the option of enrolling in a weekly workshop called Exploring the World of Possibilities. This two-credit course emphasizes small-group experiential learning. Students explore their own relationship to social, cultural, political, and environmental issues both globally and within particular regions of the world. Separate versions of the course are offered for fresh persons and transfer students.
Research Opportunities: College Nine has collaborative working relationships with distinctive research institutes concerned with international and global issues. These institutes are affiliated with the Social Sciences Division and include the following:
- The Center for Global, International, and Regional Studies
- The Center for Justice, Tolerance, and Community
- The Chicano and Latino Research Center
- The Santa Cruz Center for International Economics
Additionally, there are several excellent opportunities for student involvement in research for course credit through most majors.
Students as Teachers: College Nine students have special opportunities to become course assistants, tutors, and student mentors. By enrolling in Teaching A World of Possibilities, students gain experience at teachers leading their own discussion sections of a College Nine course. They receive close supervision that emphasizes a collaborative approach to developing and enhancing teaching, communication, and leadership skills. The College Nine academic advisors can also direct students to other opportunities for student teaching and peer mentoring programs on campus. These are excellent opportunities to work closely with a faculty member and to develop one's own skills as a teacher and a leader.
Education Abroad: College Nine students are encouraged to find ways to explore the world and incorporate practical experience into their educational plans. Studying abroad can be a valuable way to expand one's understanding of the world. College Nine students are encouraged (but not required) to learn or practice a new language and to study abroad.
Service Learning: We hope College Nine students will be interested in pursuing our service learning opportunities. You can gain hands-on experience while helping others by volunteering at a local agency, business, or school for course credit. College Nine has its own service learning program called Esprit de Corps. For more information, please go to the Esprit de Corps page.
In addition, there are various field study programs associated with some of the departments within the Division of Social Sciences. For more information about field study opportunities in the social sciences, please visit the Social Sciences Field Study web page.