Humanities Division News and Events
Campus secures funding for innovative research projects addressing climate action and linguistic diversity
December 17, 2024
Two cutting-edge research projects led by the University of California, Santa Cruz have been awarded funding through the University of California’s Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives (MRPI). This underscores the university's leadership in advancing creative and impactful solutions to global challenges.
Award-winning independent filmmaker Trinh T. Minh-ha visits UC Santa Cruz
December 16, 2024
On Friday December 6th, 2024, University of California, Santa Cruz welcomed to campus the internationally acclaimed independent filmmaker, music composer and scholar Trinh T. Minh-ha for a screening of her 2022 documentary, What About China?.
Employing Humanities: Bridging the gap between the classroom and the workforce
December 11, 2024
Launched just a year ago, the Employing Humanities initiative at the University of California, Santa Cruz is already transforming the lives of undergraduate students. The initiative was made possible by a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation and is led by Humanities Dean Jasmine Alinder.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning author Marilynne Robinson to deliver 2024 Noel Q. King Memorial Lecture
November 26, 2024
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson, renowned for her deeply reflective explorations of faith, humanity, and the divine, will deliver this year’s Noel Q. King Memorial Lecture on Dec. 3 at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz.
After 50 successful years, Feminist Studies faculty vote to disestablish the formal department, making way for more wide-ranging feminist scholarship across campus
November 25, 2024
Feminist Studies faculty and staff are committed to helping current students enrolled in the department's programs earn their degrees
Announcing the 2025 Deep Read book James
November 19, 2024
The Humanities Institute (THI) has recently announced the UC Santa Cruz 2025 Deep Read book. This year, we will read James by prolific author, Percival Everett.
Creating enchantment in Senegal
November 14, 2024
UC Santa Cruz Humanities Professor Gina Athena Ulysse was invited to participate as a featured artist for the prestigious Dakar Biennale (Dak'Art), which the New York Times called “Africa’s hottest art event” and “Africa’s most prominent cultural gathering.”
Dolly Kikon’s new film Abundance selected for South Asia Film Festival, showcasing Indigenous Worlds in Nagaland
November 12, 2024
UC Santa Cruz Anthropology Professor Dolly Kikon's documentary highlights the ecological and cultural richness of Nagaland. The film will be screened on campus this Wednesday, November 13.
A popular Humanities course is unwrapping the strange and fraught history and cultural afterlife of Egyptian mummies.
October 28, 2024
In their co-taught course, LIT 159M/HIS 159M: The Curse of the Mummy, UC Santa Cruz Associate Professor of Literature Renee Fox and Associate Professor of History Elaine Sullivan are looking into the strange pop-cultural afterlife of Egyptian mummies, which keep showing up as supernatural villains in movies and books.
Award-winning poet and author Ellen Bass will be the honored guest speaker at the 15th annual Morton Marcus Poetry Reading on November 7 (UPDATE: EVENT CANCELED)
October 25, 2024
The celebrated poet and longtime Santa Cruz resident Ellen Bass is the latest in a long list of poetry luminaries to speak at the Morton Marcus Poetry Reading. The list of previous speakers includes Gary Snyder, Natasha Trethewey, Robert Hass and Dorianne Laux.
Dickens Project gets prestigious $200,000 NEH grant to host institute for high school teachers
October 16, 2024
A $200,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities is funding a new Dickens Project initiative, an in-person institute for 25 high school teachers from across the United States. The institute will help teachers consider bold new approaches to teaching Charles Dickens' classic 1861 novel Great Expectations
2024 CITRIS Interdisciplinary Innovation Program supports wide range of campus research
October 15, 2024
The CITRIS Interdisciplinary Innovation Program (I2P) provides UC Santa Cruz Principal Investigators with funding for projects focussed on developing information technology solutions to significant societal challenges.
Astronomy postdoc to develop technologies that mold starlight to better detect exoplanets
October 15, 2024
The Astronomy & Astrophysics Department welcomes postdoctoral scientist Emiel Por, who invents technologies that mold the starlight captured by ground- and space-based telescopes to improve imaging of planetary companions. His work will be supported by the Heising-Simons Foundation's 51 Pegasi b Fellowship program.
UCSC artist micha cárdenas sounds the alarm on climate catastrophe in Toronto exhibition
October 6, 2024
micha cárdenas’s "Probability Engine,” opening in Toronto, explores climate tipping points through immersive art and augmented reality, urging audiences to imagine a more just and survivable future
UC Santa Cruz Humanities Division welcomes new Associate Dean of DEI Eric Porter
October 4, 2024
Eric Porter, a professor of History, History of Consciousness, and Critical Race and Ethnic studies at UC Santa Cruz, has a longstanding fascination with power and resistance. His approach to history will inform his new position as Associate Dean of DEI for the Humanities.
UCSC alumnus Kauchani Bratt stars in Netflix film Rez Ball
September 26, 2024
UCSC alumnus Kauchani Bratt (Cowell ’23, philosophy) makes his acting debut in the Netflix movie Rez Ball, streaming Sept. 27. The movie, directed by Sydney Freeland, is inspired by Michael Powell’s nonfiction book Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation.
UCSC Humanities Division welcomes new faculty members
September 25, 2024
The University of California, Santa Cruz Humanities Division is proud to announce the recent hires of eight outstanding new faculty members whose disciplines range from Literature and Writing to Applied Linguistics and African history.
New internship program gives UC Santa Cruz and HBCU students a hands-on look at the lives of enslaved peoples in 19th century America
September 24, 2024
This summer, ten history-minded research interns uncovered rare glimpses of enslaved people’s lives in America. In the process, they helped future scholars understand the slave trade’s growth and development in the United States.
Famed economist and Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz speaks out against right-wing notions of economic freedom
September 19, 2024
On Tuesday night, famed progressive economist Joseph Stiglitz drew a large and enthusiastic crowd to downtown Santa Cruz, where he took aim at neoliberal economics and called for more equitable alternatives. The event was co-sponsored by The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz.
Election forum series to foster dialogue and empower students for active democratic participation
September 16, 2024
This fall, the University of California, Santa Cruz will host the 2024 U.S. Elections Forum Series: Power, Politics, and Our Democracy, a six-part event series designed to foster open dialogue and engage students and the public in critical conversations about democracy, media, and voter participation.
UC Santa Cruz celebrates 35th anniversary of the Center for Cultural Studies
September 10, 2024
This fall, UC Santa Cruz will recognize the importance of the Center for Cultural Studies with a two-day conference on October 24 and 25. The celebration will showcase the Center’s culture of interdisciplinary dialogue and collaborative inquiry.
Celebrating the Humanities: Spring Awards 2022-2023
May 25, 2023
The UC Santa Cruz Humanities Division annual Spring Awards Ceremony recognizes undergraduate student, faculty, and alumni achievements. Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 4–6:30 p.m. at the Cowell Provost House.
Modernity, Conspiracy, and Open Education: Online Humanities Offerings from UC Santa Cruz
March 22, 2023
In the past year, some UC Santa Cruz Humanities faculty have opened their courses to the world through the campus partnership with Coursera.
Humanities Division Newsletter Fall 2022
December 16, 2022
Greetings from the Humanities at UC Santa Cruz! In early November, I had the opportunity to present at the National Humanities Conference. This fall, we also launched a new certificate program called “Humanizing Technology,” with new courses starting in winter 2023.
Humanizing the metaverse
December 12, 2022
A Humanities Institute fellowship brings trained humanists into high-tech companies, providing firms with creative and fluid thinkers while also giving scholars a view into how their expertise can be used in different positions.
Humanities Division Newsletter Spring 2022
May 18, 2022
Message from Dean Alinder: Welcome to our first Humanities Division Newsletter! As I near the end of my second year as Dean, I am excited about the initiatives underway in the Humanities Division. I look forward to keeping you up to date on our activities through this newsletter.
Celebrating the Humanities: Spring Awards 2021–22
May 13, 2022
Join us for our annual celebration recognizing student and faculty academic achievement in the Humanities Division at UC Santa Cruz.
Serious Wordplay
May 12, 2022
Professors in UC Santa Cruz’s creative writing concentration encourage risk and responsibility, leading a program that’s experimental, playful, smart, and fresh.
Miriam Ellis, lecturer emerita (1927—2022)
March 31, 2022
Miriam Ellis an indelible mark on students and colleagues in French, theater, music (especially opera), and administration
Legal studies major Aissata Ba selected to meet Michelle Obama
November 5, 2021
Aissata Ba, a second-year legal studies major, has been selected to participate in a special event with Michelle Obama on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
Talented leaders show why arts and humanities matter
October 25, 2021
UC Santa Cruz Magazine features Humanities Dean Jasmine Alinder and Arts Division Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu. Both are committed to raising the visibility of the humanities and arts, highlighting their power to deepen critical thinking, heighten sympathetic imagination, and prepare students to lead in a rapidly changing world.
Humanities Welcomes New Faculty and Staff
October 6, 2021
The Humanities Division welcomes new faculty and staff in the fall quarter of 2021.
KSQD: The Humanities Institute Fosters Community Engagement
September 29, 2021
Tune into KSQD's Talk of the Bay podcast for conversation about how UCSC’s Humanities Institute (THI) is nurturing graduate students and a connection with the Santa Cruz community. Host Suki Wessling is joined by UCSC's Dean of Humanities Jasmine Alinder and graduate student and THI Public Fellow Morgan Gates.
Celebrating Postdoctoral Scholars in the Humanities
September 20, 2021
The Humanities Division celebrates our postdoctoral scholars during National Postdoc Appreciation Week.
UC Santa Cruz celebrates 50 amazing years
March 18, 2015
UCSC to offer new B.A. degree in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
June 06, 2014
Beginning this fall, students at UC Santa Cruz can now declare a major in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES), leading to a new bachelor of arts degree.
Associate Professor Ochoa Publishes New Book
May 28, 2014
UCSC Feminist Studies Associate Professor, Marcia Ochoa, has publishes a new book entitled "Queen for a Day: Transformistas, Beauty Queens, and the Performance of Femininity in Venezuela". Please join the Feminist Studies Department in a conversation and book party on Wednesday, June 3rd, 5-7pm in Humanities 1, Room 210.
Humanities Division Hosts Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Speaker Series
November 1, 2012
Sunaina Maira, Professor of Asian American Studies at UC Davis, will give a lecture on Tuesday, November 13 at 4:00 p.m. in the Humanities 1 building, Room 210.
Uncommon People / Gail Hershatter: Bringing women's stories to light
October 15, 2012
Gail Hershatter built a career by talking to people left out of history.
UCSC History professor Dana Frank provides an op ed article for the L.A. Times
August 24, 2012
UCSC History professor Dana Frank provides an op ed article for the L.A. Times concerning the State Department and human rights in Honduras.
UC Presidential Chair in Feminist Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
July 01, 2012
Bettina Aptheker and Karen Yamashita received a highly prestigious University of California Presidential Chair in Feminist Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Professors Aptheker and Yamashita will co-hold the Chair for a three-year period beginning July 1, 2012 and ending in June 30, 2015.
Gary Young has been named 2012 Artist of the Year
March 21, 2012
Gary Young has been named 2012 Artist of the Year by the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission.
Dr. Karan Singh to deliver Satyajit Ray Lecture at UCSC
September 8, 2011
Distinguished Indian statesman and diplomat Dr. Karan Singh will deliver the 2011 Satyajit Ray Lecture at UC Santa Cruz on Saturday, September 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall.
William A. Ladusaw Appointed Humanities Dean
July 14, 2011
William A. Ladusaw, professor of linguistics, has accepted an appointment as dean of the Division of Humanities.
Right-Wing Populism and the Crisis of Organized Labor
April 19, 2011
“Right-Wing Populism and the Crisis of Organized Labor” The Center for Labor Studies presents a lecture with Bill Fletcher, Jr. Right-wing populism is a phenomenon deeply rooted in the US system. It tends to emerge in a virulent form during times of economic distress and crisis. It plays upon fears and prejudices and is integrally connected to matters of race. Bill Fletcher, Jr. will address the importance of understanding right-wing populism and the role that a renewed labor movement can play in combating this irrationalist and divisive force.
Rethinking Capitalism conference
April 1, 2011
The second annual Rethinking Capitalism conference, April 7-9 at UC Santa Cruz, will investigate the economic and social systems that help prop up and preserve capitalism in the aftermath of the crisis of 2008. The conference is free and open to the public.
History grad teaches English and blogs from China
December 21, 2010
Get updates about our History alum, Matt Palm, and his adventures in China!
New Faculty Publication: Eric Porter "The Problem of the Future World"
December 8, 2010
Professor and Chair of American Studies, Eric Porter, has a new book out.
Bill Ladusaw and Jim McCloskey elected fellows of Linguistic Society of America
October 19, 2010
Two of our professors from Linguistics have been elected as fellows the Linguistics Society of America.
Karen Yamashita Named National Book Award Finalist for I Hotel
October 19, 2010
Literature Professor Karen Yamashita has been named a finalist in the 2010 National Book Awards for her novel, I Hotel.
UC Santa Cruz doctoral programs earn high marks in national review
September 29, 2010
Two Humanities doctoral programs have been identified as distinctions among research activity-based doctoral programs.
New Publications from Humanities Faculty
September 3, 2010
Check out the latest publications from some of our outstanding faculty
UC Santa Cruz professor one of top academic experts on Honduras
September 1, 2010
Dana Frank, Professor of History, has become one of the top academic experts on Honduras. Read why...
Professors to present New Orleans lecture on anniversary of Katrina
August 20, 2010
American Studies Professor Eric Porter will deliver a lecture on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in San Francisco
UC Santa Cruz approves new major in Jewish Studies
June 24, 2010
Dean's & Chancellor Award Recipients Announced for Humanities Division
May 14, 2010
Recipients of the Dean's and Chancellor's Award for 2009-10 have been announced
Tanya Honig wins Outstanding Staff award
April 30, 2010
Message from the Dean - Budget Update April 2010
April 22, 2010
Read about the latest installment of budget reduction the Humanities Division faces in 2010-11
Literature professor Nathaniel Mackey receives Guggenheim for poetry
April 21, 2010
Literature professor Nathaniel Mackey has been awarded a 2010 Guggenheim Fellowship for poetry.
Sandra Chung elected vice president of Linguistic Society of America
February 17, 2010
UCSC professor of linguistics Sandra Chung has been elected as vice president and president-elect of the Linguistic Society of America (LSA)
UC Santa Cruz lecturer named first Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz County
January 27, 2010
UC Santa Cruz humanities lecturer Gary Young has been named the first-ever Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz County.
