Every college at UCSC has its own distinct core course.  International and Global Issues is the College Nine core course that all first-year students are required to take in the fall quarter. This course satisfies the college graduation requirement for students who have been admitted to UCSC as first-year students.   One of the goals underlying the course is to provide incoming students with a shared learning community.  Because all first-year students take this class, we hope that it becomes a catalyst for exploring ideas together as well as making new friends. When meeting another student from College Nine, you can always get things started by sharing your thoughts about the core course.  

International and Global Issues

At College Nine our focus is on international and global perspectives such as economic globalization, human rights, regional conflicts, the environment, and cultural identity. Some of the past topics addressed in the course may have included:

• globalization defined and how it affects us
• world hunger and the food supply
• global inequality
• migration
• universal human rights
• what people can do

CLNI 1, Academic Literacy and Ethos: International and Global Perspectives, is also known as Core. Core introduces students to critical and analytical reading at the university level. It is the required first part of a program of study (the Academic Literacy Curriculum). Most students will go on to take one or more additional classes through the Writing Program. CLNI 1 offers all students a foundation for intellectual exploration and personal development as members of an academic community. It teaches reading and thinking processes essential to success at the university, and “habits of mind” that demystify academic work and promote independent, self-reflective, and collaborative participation in campus culture. It focuses on Analysis, Critical thinking, Metacognition, Engagement with others across difference, and Self-efficacy--“ACMES” for short.