Crown College

Academic Life at Crown College

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

Academically Diverse​

Crown College faculty and students represent a wide variety of academic disciplines. Although Crown has more science and engineering students than any of the other colleges, the majority of Crown’s students major in the social sciences, humanities and arts. This diversity of interests and thinking enriches our intellectual environment.

An important goal of the college is to foster an appreciation for the contributions of diverse cultural groups and to provide an atmosphere in which issues of both diversity and common social purpose are integrated into a wide range of programs and discussions. We extend a warm welcome to all students and encourage them to take advantage of the many opportunities here at Crown as we strive to create an atmosphere of academic excellence.


From the time of its founding in 1967, issues pertaining to the role of science and technology in society have been a focus of special interest at Crown College. We approach these issues from an interdisciplinary perspective that recognizes the influence of social and cultural factors on the scientific enterprise, as well as the ways in which science and technology influence our society.

Science and Technology in Society

The Crown College core courses, Crown 79: Engaging the University, and Crown 80A or 80B: Ethical and Political Issues in Emerging Technologies, comprise a 2 quarter core course sequence. Crown 79 and 80 are interdisciplinary seminars concerning the effects of these world-changing technologies which encourage students to develop decision-making strategies to steer these technologies. The courses examine the impacts of these technologies on society using a variety of disciplinary approaches that engage the perspectives of both humanists and scientists.

What Makes Us Unique​

Science/Public Affairs Table Talks with the Provost

The college also sponsors a wide variety of co-curricular events spanning cultural, educational, and social areas of interest. One popular series is the Science/Public Affairs Tables, informal dinners at the Provost House that offer students an opportunity to socialize with a faculty member outside the classroom and learn about his or her research.

KZSC Radio 88.1FM

The KZSC radio station, a non-commercial, globally-broadcasted educational public radio station is housed at Crown College. Students can take Crown 70: Introduction to Broadcast Media as an introduction to radio and broadcasting. Interested students can also apply to volunteer.

Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program

Juniors and seniors can participate in the college’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, which awards $500 fellowships to students who partner with a faculty member and encourages their interaction through undergraduate research.

UCSC Scholars Program

Crown College is one of the 6 colleges which offers the UCSC Scholars Program to our students. This program includes exciting and challenging opportunities such as in-depth seminars, service learning, research development, and weekly faculty lectures followed by dinner at one of the Provosts’ houses. In addition, students in the Scholars Program will be housed together in their residential college, allowing students to form friendships and intellectual communities based on their common studies.

See Also