Tentative Syllabus – Fall 2025

Lecture
Where: Ocean Health Building (OHB) Library (Rm 118)
When: Monday, Wednesday – 12:00-1:00 (but plan to possibly go over to 1:30!!!!)

Discussion Sections (CSP 230)
Where: Ocean Health Building (OHB) Library (Rm 118)
When: Wednesday TBD (see the CSP 230 course website)

Instructors: Borja Reguero and Mark Carr

Borja’s office: OHB 246A
E-mail: breguero”at”ucsc.edu
Office phone:

Office Hours: By appointment

Mark’s office: OHB 254A
E-mail: mhcarr”at”ucsc.edu
Office phone: 831-246-3524

Office Hours: By appointment

Course Philosophy and Structure

The learning objectives described on the “Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes” webpage are best achieved by recognizing and leveraging the diversity of experiences and perspectives brought to this course by each individual of a CSP cohort. This diversity is what makes every CSP course such a distinctive and valuable learning opportunity. To achieve this requires respect and appreciation for our individual perspectives. With the content and concepts gleaned from the lecture material, students select readings that explore the application of that material to their particular capstone interests. Discussion of these readings creates the opportunities to share our knowledge, perspectives and questions on the various topics addressed in this course. We very much welcome and value everyone’s engagement.

Readings

Readings are a critical component of the course. Frequently over the quarter, 20 mins will be dedicated to discussing a reading led by 2-4 students who chose the article. Students will sign up to lead discussion on readings based on their interests in the topics. Alternatively, we have posted suggested readings that we feel are seminal to the lecture topic each day. Students are welcome to use those as well, and students are recommended to read those for further background on the topic each day. Selected readings will be posted in the course Google drive. The additional readings relevant to each lecture topic are posted as reference material on the “Reference Readings” webpage.

Interaction

This course covers a wide variety of natural science topics and attempts to provide students with an overview of the fundamentals of each topic and aspects and examples pertinent to coastal sustainability. Because of the diversity of backgrounds across the cohort, the expectation is for students with stronger backgrounds in each topic to help mentor those students with less background. This entails key elements of collaboration and leadership, which are critical skills we hope to impart in the CSP program.

Assessment

Students will be evaluated (P/NP) based on six criteria and products generated over the quarter (note that there are no exams in this course):

Annotated project bibliography (30%): An annotated bibliography that summarizes the literature relevant to your proposed project. For this course, you will focus on the natural science literature of your proposed project. This is the same bibliography you are required to generate for CSP 230.

Synthesis of literature review (30%): A 2-3 page written summary of your analysis of the natural science literature that pertains to your proposed project. This analysis will summarize the state of the science, any shortcomings, and how you will apply this knowledge to the development of your proposed project.

Annotated Bibliography and literature review due Sunday before finals week

Synthesis presentation (15%): A verbal 20-30 minute presentation with audiovisual media, which provides an overview of the project proposal. This is presented in coordination with CSP 230 and Anne’s class on last day of classes.

Reading presentation (15%): Students will lead discussion on a selected paper in class. Students will be evaluated on well they have prepared for and lead that discussion.

Student Participation (10%): Evaluation of the level and quality of participation in class discussions, including the readings discussion section and the guest lecture discussion.

Additional course and campus notices: Any updates will be announced in class or by email.

Please inform us as soon as possible about any planned or anticipated absences or other concerns.
You are a member of an academic community at one of the world’s leading research universities. Universities like ours create knowledge that has a lasting impact in the world of ideas and on the lives of others; such knowledge can come from an undergraduate paper as well as the research of an internationally known professor. One of the most important values of an academic community is the balance between the free flow of ideas and respect for the intellectual property of others. Researchers don’t use one another’s research without attribution because we want to recognize the foundational work we have drawn on in order to create new knowledge; scholars and students always use proper citations in papers; professors may not circulate or publish student papers without the writer’s permission; and students may not circulate or post materials (handouts, exams, syllabi— any class materials) from their classes without the written permission of the instructor.
Any test, paper, or report submitted by you and that bears your name is presumed to be your own original work that has not previously been submitted for credit in another course unless you obtain prior written approval to do so from your instructor. In all of your assignments, including your homework or drafts of papers, you may use words or ideas written by other individuals in publications, web sites, or other sources, but only with proper citation (generally, quotation marks or an indented quotation) and correct attribution. Cheating or academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated and will result in swift punitive action. Any student found to have behaved unethically or dishonestly will be given a zero on the assignment involved and referred to the appropriate UCSC disciplinary committees.
We aim to make our learning community as accessible as possible. This means that I try to provide accessible materials and to create opportunities for different kinds of engagement in our classroom space. If you come across materials that are not accessible to you, or experience a barrier to your participation in a class or meeting, please bring this to our attention and we will gladly work with you to ensure accessibility. If you are a student with a disability (disabilities can include mental health and attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts) who requires accommodations to achieve equal access in this course, please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at UCSC by phone at 831-459-2089 or by email at drc@ucsc.edu. For students already affiliated, make sure that you have requested Academic Access Letters, where you intend to use accommodations. You can also request to meet privately with me during my office hours or by appointment. We would like to discuss how we can implement your accommodations in this course to ensure your access and full engagement in this course.
In our in-class discussions and dialogues, we will have the opportunity to explore challenging issues and increase our understanding of different perspectives. Our conversations may not always be easy. We sometimes will make mistakes in our speaking and our listening. Sometimes we will need patience or courage or imagination or any number of qualities in combination to engage our texts, our classmates, and our own ideas and experiences. Always, we need respect for others. Thus, an important aim of our classroom interactions will be for us to increase our facility with the sometimes difficult conversations that arise inside issues of social justice as we deepen our understanding of multiple perspectives – and make the most of being together with people of many backgrounds, experiences, and positions.
UC Santa Cruz is committed to providing a safe learning environment that is free of all forms of gender discrimination and sexual harassment, which are explicitly prohibited under Title IX. If you have experienced any form of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, know that you are not alone. The Title IX Office, the Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) office, and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) are all resources that you can rely on for support.
Please be aware that if you tell us about a situation involving Title IX misconduct, we are required to share this information with the Title IX Coordinator. This reporting responsibility also applies to course TAs and tutors (as well to all UCSC employees who are not designated as “confidential” employees, which is a special designation granted to counselors and CARE advocates). Although we have to make that notification, you will control how your case will be handled, including whether or not you wish to pursue a formal complaint.
The goal is to make sure that you are aware of the range of options available to you and that you have access to the resources you need. Confidential resources are available through CARE. Confidentiality means CARE advocates will not share any information with Title IX, the police, parents, or anyone else without explicit permission. CARE advocates are trained to support you in understanding your rights and options, accessing health and counseling services, providing academic and housing accommodations, helping with legal protective orders, and more. You can contact CARE at (831) 502-2273 or care@ucsc.edu.
If you are in distress, managing heightened stress and anxiety, or want to get more support and a counselor’s perspective on something you’re going through, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a variety of services for your needs—including immediate crisis support, scheduled individual appointments, group counseling, and workshops led by peer advisors.

Crisis Assistance: https://caps.ucsc.edu/counseling/crisis-assistance.html
Drop-in Services: https://caps.ucsc.edu/drop-in-services-no-left-menu.html
Drop-in services include “Let’s Talk,” a service offered at a variety of campus locations where you can stop by for a one-time talk with a professional counselor to get information or support, and “Relaxation Station,” an area to help you de-stress. LGBTQ+ Services: https://caps.ucsc.edu/counseling/lgbtq-counseling-services.html
Resources and counselors with specific awareness of non-binary identities.
Scheduled Services: https://caps.ucsc.edu/scheduled-services-no-left-menu.html
Includes individual and group counseling.
Self-Support Library: https://caps.ucsc.edu/resources/self-help.html
Online resources on time management, managing stress and anxiety, and learning more about mental health.