• Seminar Type: Transfer Discovery
• Department: Writing Program
• Instructor: Martha Webber
• Instructor Email: mwebber@ucsb.edu
• Day - Time - Room: Tuesday 10:00-10:50 in GIRV 1108
• Enroll Code: 57273

Course Description:  This seminar explores upcycling and mending clothing: we’ll try practices, consider examples of creators who upcycle, and explore the environmental values behind these practices. We’ll also visit the UCSB Makerspace to learn about the equipment they have to support mending. You’ll emerge with at least one upcycled clothing item and write a reflection about it. No previous sewing experience is required and all mending materials are provided. You will need one item of clothing you want to mend or upcycle (with an optional field trip to Alpha Thrift store in Goleta outside of the scheduled seminar time to learn how to select items and fabrics well-suited for upcycling).

Bio:  Martha Webber teaches a number of lower and upper-division courses for the Writing Program. She has a PhD in English with a specialization in Writing Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (and even an AA in Fashion Design from LA Trade-Technical College). Her research on nonprofit organizations and literacy sponsorship has been published in Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric. Her creative writing, including short humor, has appeared in journals including Slackjaw, Bending Genres, and Graywolf Lab.

• Seminar Type: Transfer Discovery
• Department: Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology
• Instructor: Shane Jimerson
• Instructor Email: Jimerson@ucsb.edu
• Day - Time - Room: Tuesday 12:00-12:50 in ED 1203 
• Enroll Code: 27029

Course Description:  The central aim of this seminar is to provide students with information and insights regarding the professional domain of school psychology. School psychologists have expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. This seminar introduces how school psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and others to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments. Students are encouraged to bring their lunch and actively engage in the exploration and discussions about school psychology. Topics will include: 1) What is a school psychologist? 2) What is required to become a school psychologist? 3) How do I prepare if I want to go to graduate school in school psychology? Apply online at - https://ucsbeducation.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OKiD2D10EBEVzE

Bio:  Professor Shane Jimerson is a nationally certified school psychologist, and recent President of both National and International School Psychology organizations. Dr. Jimerson has received numerous awards for his scholarship focused on understanding and promoting the social, emotional, behavioral, academic, and mental health of children.  You can learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_R._Jimerson

• Seminar Type: Transfer Discovery
• Department: Sociology
• Instructor: Elena Raymond
• Instructor Email: eraymond@ucsb.edu
• Day - Time - Room: Wednesday 2:00-2:50 in HSSB 1210
• Enroll Code: 61614

Course Description:  The Transfer Student Seminar in Sociology is designed to mitigate "transfer shock" and accelerate the integration of incoming students into the Sociology major. Grounded in sociological theories of education and using an asset-based approach, the course demystifies the hidden curriculum of Tier 1 institutions, helping students to build navigational skills, social connections, and vital institutional knowledge. The seminar integrates engagement with student-led systems, institutional support, and alumni connections to facilitate the experience of transition and build professional toolkits for careers and graduate study in sociology. By combining academic planning with relationship-centered support, this seminar aims to cultivate belonging and empower transfer students' academic and professional identities.

Bio:  Elena Skapoulli-Raymond is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Sociology. A member of the UCSB faculty since 2005, she has dedicated over two decades to fostering inclusive and academically rigorous learning environments for a diverse student body. She is a strong advocate for institutional belonging, committed to bridging the gap between academic expectations and students’ lived experiences. Her teaching and pedagogical work focus on supporting the academic and social transitions of underrepresented and first-generation students, with particular attention to mentorship, community-building, and student engagement. Through her courses and programmatic involvement, she seeks to create supportive spaces that empower students to navigate the university successfully and develop a strong sense of belonging.

• Seminar Type: Transfer Discovery
• Department: Spanish and Portuguese
• Instructor: Pedro Craveiro
• Instructor Email: pedrocraveiro@ucsb.edu
• Day - Time - Room: Friday 1:00-1:50 in HSSB 1206
• Enroll Code: 57299

Course Description:  This seminar introduces students to Brazilian film. Through a mix of classic and contemporary movies, we will explore how cinema reflects Brazil’s history, culture, and social issues. Students will watch films, analyze visual storytelling, and engage in discussion-based activities to develop critical thinking and cultural awareness. No prior knowledge of film studies or Brazilian culture is required. By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of Brazilian society and the power of cinema to shape perspectives.

Bio:  Pedro Craveiro is a Lecturer in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at UC Santa Barbara. He has a Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages and Literatures, with a specialization in Portuguese and Brazilian studies. His research and teaching focus on Lusophone studies, and his recent work explores how Brazilian cinema reflects social inequalities, urban life, and cultural memory. He is particularly interested in how films invite new ways of thinking about Brazilian culture, history, and artistic expression.

• Seminar Type: Transfer Discovery
• Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Instructor: Norbert Reich
• Instructor Email: Reich@chem.ucsb.edu
• Day - Time - Room: Thursday 11:00-11:50 in HSSB 1207
• Enroll Code: 57307

Course Description:  Students will read primary literature on how science deals with controversies, how ignorance drives research, how to analyze a series of research papers and the process of identifying the next logical topics. If interested, students can participate in the SciTrek outreach which brings science inquiry into local secondary schools.

Bio:  Norbert Reich is a Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry working in the field of epigenetics and drug design; he has a keen interest in improving science education at all levels from K-12 thorugh graduate school.

• Seminar Type: Transfer Discovery
• Department: EMS Program - Linguistics
• Instructor: Keith Corona
• Instructor Email: kcorona@ucsb.edu
• Day - Time - Room: Tuesday 11:00-11:50 in HSSB 1207
• Enroll Code: 57315

Course Description:  This course explores traditional and contemporary earthen building materials including cob, adobe, rammed earth, straw bale, light-straw clay, wattle and daub, hempcrete, and timber-frame construction. Students will examine the historical global use of these sustainable materials and their modern applications. By examining buildings from diverse regions, participants will learn to evaluate thermal mass versus insulative properties, assess cost and labor requirements, and understand basic site planning principles including solar orientation. The course emphasizes how these time-tested materials can impact contemporary housing needs while reducing environmental impact.

Bio:  Keith began teaching academic writing and ESL at the university level in 2012, following several years of living and working in Serbia. After teaching at UC San Diego, he joined UCSB in 2016. His work centers on autonomous learning, instructional design, and educational technology, with extensive experience supporting international and immigrant students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Beyond ESL instruction, his interests include sustainable earthen materials for both building and art.

• Seminar Type: Transfer Discovery
• Department: Environmental Studies Program
• Instructor: Iris Holzer
• Instructor Email: irisholzer@ucsb.edu
• Day - Time - Room: Monday 5:00-6:50 in BREN 4316 *This seminar will meet in BREN 4316 on Monday October 5th and 12th only. This seminar has a mandatory weekend field trip on Saturday October 10th from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Enroll Code: 27060

Course Description:  Soils are the dynamic skin of the Earth, where a multitude of chemical, physical, and biological processes come together to support human health, agriculture, thriving ecosystems, and complex landscapes. This seminar will introduce transfer students to the diverse discipline of soil science, with a focus on viewing local soils during a Saturday field trip. Our meeting before the field trip will cover field safety, set community expectations, and provide an overview of our local Central Coast soils and their formation. Students will have opportunities to reflect on the intersections of soils with their other interests or desired career paths.

Bio:  Hi everyone! My name is Iris Holzer (she/her), and I am an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Environmental Studies Program, where I specialize in soils and environmental chemistry. I’m originally from Mississippi and Missouri, but I came to California for college and got my B.A. in Geology from Scripps College. I completed my Ph.D. in Soils & Biogeochemistry at UC Davis in 2023, where I studied rock weathering in the soils of agricultural and natural systems. My primary areas of focus are elemental cycling in soils, soil formation, and enhanced rock weathering for carbon removal. I'm happiest digging or doing field work, and I'm committed to fostering supportive, safe, and engaging field experiences for students at every stage.

• Seminar Type: Transfer Discovery
• Department: MCDB
• Instructor: Brooke Gardner
• Instructor Email: brookegardner@ucsb.edu
• Day - Time - Room: Friday 3:00-3:50 in ILP 3101
• Enroll Code: 61861

Course Description:  This course, meant for pre-biology transfer students, will discuss how biochemistry concepts and approaches presented in the MCDB 108A - Biochemistry of Macromolecules course are used in research on campus. In addition to reading and discussing scientific articles related to research on campus, we will discuss how to get involved in research, graduate school, and summer research opportunities.

Bio:  I joined the MCDB department as an Assistant Professor in March 2019.  My research uses protein biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology techniques to determine how cells make and maintain the peroxisome – a membrane-bound organelle required for specialized metabolism.  Prior to starting at UCSB, I was a postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley, a graduate student at UCSF, and an undergraduate at Middlebury College in Vermont.  Outside of work, I love sailing and exploring with my two daughters.

• Seminar Type: Transfer Discovery+
• Department: CCS Music Composition / Writing and Literature
• Instructor: Andrew Watts / Rebbecca Brown
• Instructor Email: aawatts@ucsb.edu, rebbecca.brown@ccs.ucsb.edu
• Day - Time - Room: Monday 2:00-3:50 in PHELP
• Enroll Code: 62992

Course Description:  In this Discovery Seminar, students will create original compositions that explore the connections between sound, poetry, music, and language.  Throughout the quarter, we will investigate the ways in which expressive communication in music and language can be heightened despite the presence of ambiguity and indeterminacy. We will look at manipulations to the quality of sound and language in poetry and music in order to discover how compositions can elicit a number of exciting interpretive possibilities.  This course will provide an introduction to theories that explore how musicians and poets create meaning in their work, culminating in the presentation of original student compositions that engage with sound, language and signification in unique and compelling ways. Students of all disciplines are welcome!

Bio:  Andrew A. Watts is a composer of chamber, symphonic, and multimedia works performed worldwide. His compositions have been featured at cultural events like Burning Man (Corpus Clock) and venues such as The Kitchen (NYC). He has been commissioned by leading new music groups including Ensemble Dal Niente, Ekmeles Vocal Ensemble, and Splinter Reeds, with support from organizations like New Music USA. Watts's music mines the ramifications of technology and the post-human, exploring extremes of freedom and restriction, purity and distortion, or the very distinction between musical signal and noise. He often incorporates invented instruments and AI-generated media, recently premiering large-scale works like AI and the Heat Death of the Universe. He holds degrees from Stanford University (DMA), Oxford University (MSt), and the New England Conservatory (BM). Watts is on the Music Composition faculty at the University of California Santa Barbara's College of Creative Studies, where he is an affiliate in the Mind & Machine Intelligence initiative and was a finalist for the Distinguished Teaching Award. He has been a featured composer at renowned international festivals, including the Darmstadt Summer Courses, MATA Festival, and impuls Academy, and has given guest lectures at institutions like IRCAM and Harvard.

Rebbecca Brown is a multi-genre artist and writer who also dances, sings, and plays the drums. Author of the novel They Become Her (What Books Press), the lyrical prose collection Mouth Trap (Arc Pair Press), and the prose chapbook Anybody Home (Gnashing Teeth Press), she has received Honorable Mention from the Academy of American Poets, the Rachel Sherwood Prize for Poetry, First Place in the LACC Writing Contest for Creative Nonfiction, and an Honorable Mention in the Starcherone Innovative Fiction Contest. Her work has appeared in American Literary Review, Confrontation, Eclipse, Quibble Lit, and Artwife (among others).  She is currently the Faculty Advisor of Spectrum Literary Journal, the longest-running undergraduate literary magazine produced in the UC system, and is also a member of What Books Press, a publisher based out of Los Angeles.  A former Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Lecturer at Kannur University in Kerala, India, she currently teaches in the College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara.  Most recently, she was honored with the 2025-2026 Distinguished Teaching Award for excellence in teaching at UCSB.