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An introduction to archaeology and the prehistory of humankind from the earliest times up to the advent of literate civilization and cities, also processes of cultural change. Partly self-paced learning.

This online course presented as an adventure game introduces students to the art and archaeology of Rome, with assignments that focus on writing and the research process. The course asks students to determine whether or not a collection of ancient objects from an American museum should remain in the US or be sent back to Italy. Throughout the course, students excavate artifacts at a digital dig site, visit museums, explore Roman monuments, and navigate the shadowy world of the tombaroli (tomb robbers) and mafia-run black market for antiquities.

Selected major themes in literary texts from Asian American communities, including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino and Southeast Asian Americans: dislocation/relocation; finding/inventing a usable past; poetics/politics in language; identities/ethnicities.

A survey of the subject matter, themes, and methods of African Studies. While briefly surveying the prehistory and early states of Africa, the course focuses on the culture and society of the colonial and independence eras.

Includes fundamental topics, such as matter, measurements, atomic/electronic structure, atomic theories, bonding, reactions, and stoichiometry.

Introduction to the historical and contemporary development of the Chicano/a community. Course is interdisciplinary in nature. Focuses by quarter on A. history, B. gender, and C. culture.

Examines a selection of works from Chinese literature, with the goal of understanding the major genres and their development over time. The cultural roles of literature, as well as criteria for critical evaluation, are also addressed.

Introduction to the principal myths of ancient Greece and the ways in which these myths have been understood. Format and readings vary.

An introduction to the basic concepts and principles in the field of communication. Contexts include intrapersonal, interpersonal, intercultural, public, small group, organizational, and mass communication.

A survey of European literature. Classical and medieval literature from Homer to Dante.

A survey of European literature. Renaissance and Neoclassical literature from Petrarch to Diderot.

An introduction to the diverse literary traditions of Asia through an examination of selected works. Regional focus on East, South, and Southeast Asia varies.

Introduction to computer program development for students with little to no programming experience. Basic programming concepts, variables and expressions, data and control structures, algorithms, debugging, program design, and documentation.

This course teaches the structural technical aspects of alignment and strength and flexibility training vital for dancers in all dance disciplines. Particular attention will be paid to full body alignment for optimal performance and body stability.

The interrelations of the physical and biological environments on the continent Antarctica; Antarctica as an Earth system. Included are studies of tectonic history, global warming, ozone depletion, mineral resources, and the history of scientific exploration of the continent.

An introduction to the history and texts of the major lineages of Ch`an Buddhism in China and Zen Buddhism in Japan.

An introduction to the study of China, Japan, Korea, and their neighbors in modern times, including the process of modernization, intellectual and political movements, national identity, literature and the arts, and popular culture.

Uses topical examples of emerging and resurgent diseases to illustrate key principles in ecology and epidemiology. Examines how changing disease ecology influences disease prevalence and how such changing patterns of disease have influenced human history.

General philosophy of programming and problem-solving. Students will be introduced to the programming language MATLAB. Specific areas of study will include algorithms, basic decision structures, arrays, matrices, and graphing.

Acquaints students with purposes and tools of literary interpretation. Introduces techniques and vocabulary of analytic discussion and critical writing. Some emphasis on poetry with attention also to drama, essay, and the novel.

Acquaints students with purposes and tools of literary interpretation. Introduces techniques and vocabulary of analytic discussion and critical writing. Some emphasis on poetry with attention also to drama, essay, and the novel.

Acquaints students with purposes and tools of literary interpretation. Introduces techniques and vocabulary of analytic discussion and critical writing. Some emphasis on poetry with attention also to drama, essay, and the novel.

Employing a cultural approach, this course explores why our climate is changing and what each of us can do about it. Considers issues such as housing, transportation, diet, consumer products, as well as different forms of climate activism.

Designed to introduce students to critical approaches to the study of ethnic literatures and cultures from the long twentieth century. In its different iterations, the course takes a comparative approach, surveying a wide range of literary genres by authors from Asian American, Black, Chicanx, Latinx, multiracial, Native American and other diverse communities. Students build an analytical foundation for examining literary production and learn to link form, artistry, and concept to histories and politics of colonialism, identity, migration, nationhood, race, and segregation.

Environmental Studies requires insights from many disciplines, including the social as well as biophysical science and the humanities. This introduction offers an overview of the field, examining both our planet and the ways in which we humans depend on it.

Introduction to central concepts and issues in feminist studies from the perspective of the social sciences. Explores the construction of gender and sexuality and the lives of diverse groups of women in the contemporary U.S. within a global context. Online version of FEMST 20.

An overview of the interdisciplinary field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer studies, including historical and cross-cultural perspectives on same-sex sexuality, queer theory, intersectionality, gender and sexual identities, communities, culture, contemporary social policy, and LGBTQ movements.

An introduction to the study of film as an aesthetic and social phenomenon, and to various methods of critical analysis.

A comparative and interdisciplinary approach to the literatures and philosophies of love, desire, and sexuality in the western world in the 19th and 20th centuries. In English.

Social and physical science concepts manifested in the sport of surfing. Topics include wave generation and forecasting, economics of the surf industry, spatial search, strategic behavior under crowding, territorialism, and the generation/diffusion of regional surf cultures.

Examination of contemporary social, economic, political, and environmental change in a global context; the emergence of a global economy and new systems of world order; and the debate over globalization and whether or not it is desirable.

Survey of the peoples, cultures, and social, economic, and political systems that have characterized the world's major civilizations in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania from 1700 to present.

Historical and interdisciplinary perspectives on poverty and inequality globally and in the U.S., tracing structural transformations, shifting modes of thought, policy, and action, dynamics of class, racial, gender, ethnic and geographic stratification, and major theoretical debates from antiquity through the present. Course features guest lectures to introduce students to varied conceptual and methodological approaches to studying poverty and inequality, and draws on readings, discussion, writing, and related assignments to explore issues within a social justice framework.

This course brings together two faculty, English Professor James Kearney and Theater & Dance Professor Irwin Appel, to offer students an immersive experience of Shakespeare that combines performance, literary study, and research. Students can expect Shakespeare to come to life on page and stage as they experience these multifaceted plays from a variety of perspectives.

The dream of a perfect society, in which all residents would live in harmony with certain ideals, has animated politicians and the public from mythical Atlantis to the 1,100 “intentional communities” currently thriving in the United States. But perfection has its dark side and utopian dreamers have included colonizing bishops in the Americas, the Cambodian dictator Pol Pot, and the Russian strongman Joseph Stalin. This course will examine the utopian dream through history, literature, philosophy, and public memory. Starting with a historical and philosophical background of the concepts and unintended consequences of idealism, the course will then turn to focus more narrowly on our own planned community of Isla Vista. Students will engage with public history and memory to trace the ideals and the reality that have animated and continue to impact our surrounding community. Finally, in the last part of the survey, students will look at the future, focusing first on fictional accounts of utopia and dystopias, before writing their own speculative fiction as a final project.

In today’s digital world, information is constantly filtered, manipulated, and shared, reshaping our understanding of truth as well as political and commercial power. This seminar dives into the "truth war," examining how fake news and algorithms influence global politics, social movements, and public opinion. Through real-world case studies and critical debates, students will explore the ethical challenges of information sharing, media manipulation and algorithmic control. Whether you’re studying media, political science, technology, business, or ethics, this seminar equips you with the tools to critically assess how digital media shape global power and personal decision-making.

Dr. Tym Chajdas teaches a range of courses in the Professional Writing Minor spanning strategic communication, journalism, and academic writing. He is also a Lead Researcher at Harvard in Tech, Harvard University’s technology group. His interdisciplinary work bridges global studies, development, critical infrastructure research, cultural studies, and political communication.

Looking to make the most of your time at UCSB, while sustaining healthy habits? This seminar will introduce students to aspects of health and wellness while exploring UCSB through a series of walking activities. At the conclusion, you will have learned practical and applicable strategies for health and wellbeing, and discovered resources on campus that advocate wellness. You'll also find new ways to explore health routines within the context of a busy personal, student and professional life.

Amy Jamieson has trained hundreds of fitness professionals. She teaches courses in nutrition, life fitness, and athletic conditioning.

Whether you're just starting your path in physics or have a keen interest in the subject, this seminar is designed to equip you with tools and resources essential for your academic progression. Through interactive discussions and presentations, students will construct a comprehensive plan mapping out their course selections from freshman fall to senior spring. Additionally, participants will devise strategies for engaging in research opportunities. Led by instructor and guest speakers including current students and faculty members, this seminar offers a blend of discussion-based sessions and informative presentations. Students from other disciplines can also benefit from participating.

Tengiz Bibilashvili is a Physics professor and academic director of the US Physics Team at the International Physics Olympiad. He teaches lower- and upper-division courses, including classical and quantum mechanics, and electromagnetism.

This course will equip students with information that will enable them to be successful in an engineering major. Topics covered will include academic planning, curriculum, internships, undergraduate research, and preparation for graduate study. Additionally, the course will explore career fields that are open to engineers.

Dr. Hua Lee is Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research covers the areas of signal processing and sensing systems.

In an era where technological advancements are occurring at an unprecedented rate, the course "Ethical Tech: Navigating the 'Should' in Innovation" offers a crucial perspective on the intersection of ethics and technology. This seminar invites students to embark on a thought-provoking journey, exploring not just the limitless possibilities of what they can create with technology, but more importantly, reflecting on whether they should create them.

Maryam Majedi teaches in the Computer Science department. Her research explores the intersection of computer science and ethics.

Bridge to STEM helps incoming students build quantitative and navigational skills necessary for success in science, math, technology, engineering, economics, and other quantitative disciplines. The course also creates a supportive learning community, builds navigational skills that support success, and helps develop time management abilities important for UCSB courses.

A sweeping inquiry into Italian culture, from its origins to its current trends. Exploration of the media, sports, gastronomy, art, music, politics, language, regional and ethnic identity, sexuality, the family, and urban life. Taught in English.

Introduction to differential and integral calculus with applications to modeling in the biological sciences.

Continued study of differential and integral calculus with differential andintegral calculus with applications. Introduction to mathematical modeling with differential equations. Calculus of several variables including an introduction to partial derivatives.

Differential Calculus including analytic geometry, functions and limits, derivatives, techniques and applications of differentiation; introduction to integration; logarithmic and trigonometric functions.

Integral calculus including definite and indefinite integrals, techniques of integration; introduction to sequences and series; with applications in mathematics and physics.

Systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, determinants, vector spaces and subspaces, basis and dimension, linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, and orthogonality.

First and second order differential equations, separation of variables, linear differential equations, systems of first order equations, nonlinear differential equations and stability.

The study of notes, scales, triads, inversions, rhythm, harmony, and musical terminology. Laboratory activities include keyboard orientation, sight singing, and ear training.

A selective survey of music of western civilization; evolution of forms, styles, media. Designed to enable the student to listen with understanding.

An introductory course in western philosophy.

Practical reasoning, argumentation, and the analysis of language as instruments of sound thinking in everyday life.

Political ideas, institutions, and processes of American government. The role of congress and the president in policy formation and of the supreme court in interpreting the constitution.

An introduction to the basic concepts, theories, and problems of international relations; balance of power, deterrence, the states system, imperialism, realism, idealism, levels of explanation, war and peace.

The historical and cross-cultural exploration of Buddhism through the examination of basic texts, institutions, and practices of diverse Buddhist traditions.

Religion and religions in America. Survey of the variety of religions or religious traditions in America, including Native American, Asian American, African American, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Muslim, and notably Protestant. Focus also on such common features as civil religion.

Basic concepts and issues in the study of human society. The structures and processes of human conduct, social organization, and social change.

SPAN W 1 is the first course of the Elementary Spanish three course sequence delivered in a fully online format. By the end of this course students are expected to develop basic proficiency in Spanish at the Novice-mid level.

SPAN W 1 is the first course of the Elementary Spanish three course sequence delivered in a fully online format. By the end of this course students are expected to develop basic proficiency in Spanish at the Novice-mid level.

Fundamentals of programming for data science using R. Descriptive statistics, distributions and graphics in R. Relational database management systems including the relational model, relational algebra, database design principles and data manipulation using SQL. An introduction to the concept of big data.

An introduction to statistics for students interested in the quantitative analysis of problems in the life sciences. The focus is on application; topics include probability, correlation and regression, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing.

An introduction for majors and nonmajors to the multiple problems of the actor's art and craft.

A writing course focusing on developing analytical skills, synthesizing multiple sources, sustaining coherent arguments, and revising for clarity of style. Reading and writing assignments are drawn from a range of academic disciplines.

A writing course focusing on developing analytical skills, synthesizing multiple sources, sustaining coherent arguments, and revising for clarity of style. Reading and writing assignments are drawn from a range of academic disciplines.

A writing course focusing on developing analytical skills, synthesizing multiple sources, sustaining coherent arguments, and revising for clarity of style. Reading and writing assignments are drawn from a range of academic disciplines.

A writing course focusing on developing analytical skills, synthesizing multiple sources, sustaining coherent arguments, and revising for clarity of style. Reading and writing assignments are drawn from a range of academic disciplines.

A writing course focusing on developing analytical skills, synthesizing multiple sources, sustaining coherent arguments, and revising for clarity of style. Reading and writing assignments are drawn from a range of academic disciplines.