Humanities Division News and Events
Turning awareness into action
August 11, 2022
After years of working to bring feminist history and thought to a young audience through her popular Rad Women series, author Kate Schatz (Stevenson ’03, literature and creative writing) moves to turn teaching history into teaching practice and show adults what they can do to combat racism.
Mythologizing for a purpose
August 11, 2022
After years working across industries from filmmaking to horse-wrangling, alumnus Justin DiPego channels both his vast career experience and his UCSC creative education into his latest novel—"Wrong Side of a Workingman."
Incoming UC Santa Cruz class exemplifies academic excellence and diversity
August 10, 2022
UC Santa Cruz anticipates welcoming approximately 5,100 new Banana Slugs this fall, concluding an admissions cycle that reflected increased interest in the campus. Campus leaders are carefully managing student enrollment and working to provide more on-campus housing for students because of a statewide housing crisis that is particularly difficult in Santa Cruz.
Dickens Universe returns to campus
August 4, 2022
The Dickens Universe, now in its 41st year, returned to campus in late July after two years in the virtual realm. The conference turned UCSC into a bustling community of scholars, students, and community members who socialized at Victorian teas, talked about books, and wrapped up their evenings with “post-prandial potations.”
New book traces the scientific and technological development of militarized border
July 29, 2022
In her new book, Professor of Feminist Studies and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Felicity Amaya Schaeffer draws stunning connections between indigenous ways of life and relationships to the land with modern-day, militaristic border surveillance technologies.
Help ‘Stuff the Bus’ and get students ready for school
July 25, 2022
With the new school year just around the corner, the United Way of Santa Cruz County and Santa Cruz Office of Education are looking for volunteers to help Stuff the Bus. Come and help fill new backpacks with school supplies for K-12 students.
The Humanities Division honors faculty, alumni, and students at the 2021-22 Spring Awards
July 7, 2022
UC Santa Cruz’s Humanities Division marked the end of the school year with their Spring Awards, a ceremony that celebrates the achievements of students, instructors, and alumni.
Autistic adults have become increasingly visible in media, books, television, and more in the past decade, but challenges with representation persist
June 29, 2022
Researchers documented a shift toward more numerical representation for adults in popular portrayals of autism, which have historically focused on children.
UC Santa Cruz celebrates innovative and dedicated teachers
June 28, 2022
The Academic Senate’s Committee on Teaching (COT) in collaboration with Chancellor Larive and CP/EVC Kletzer, Cruz celebrated UCSC’s innovative and dedicated teachers with a gathering at the Cowell Provost House in early June.
Campus recognizes innovative, dedicated teachers
June 27, 2022
The Academic Senate’s Committee on Teaching (COT) in collaboration with Chancellor Larive and CP/EVC Kletzer, Cruz celebrated UCSC’s innovative and dedicated teachers with a gathering at the Cowell Provost House in early June.
Zimmer to develop Responsible AI course
June 13, 2022
Zimmer will join colleagues from around the U.S. to plan classes that better explore the impact of artificial intelligence on our world.
Proposal for new program, Pathways to the Professoriate in the Arts and Humanities, selected for funding by UC President’s Office
June 7, 2022
A new cross-divisional initiative to prepare graduate students in the Arts and Humanities at UC Santa Cruz from historically underrepresented groups to go on to the professoriate has been selected for funding.
Associate Professor Nick Mitchell receives 2021-22 Distinguished Teaching Award
June 6, 2022
Nick Mitchell was honored for his positive impact on students and the leading role he has played in creating new programs that foster the intellectual development of students and UC Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz named No. 2 public university for ‘making an impact’
June 6, 2022
Princeton Review has named UC Santa Cruz the No. 2 public university in the nation for students focused on making an impact on the world. The honor underscores the university’s commitment to encouraging positive social impact and is an increase from last year’s No. 3 spot.
‘Crossing Latinidades’ program selects UC Santa Cruz faculty and graduate students for national research and mentoring collaboration
June 3, 2022
Two UC Santa Cruz faculty were awarded $310,000 grants to lead national research working groups, and two doctoral students have been selected for one-year research fellowships and a summer institute focused on interdisciplinary research methods.
Seeking Okinawan rights
June 1, 2022
UC Santa Cruz doctoral candidate Lex McClellan-Ufugusuku appeared before the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, exploring whether the people of Okinawa could be recognized as Indigenous—meaning they might have the right to block or stop new military bases under guidelines about Indigenous people set up by the U.N.
Sean Lawrence
May 31, 2022
With his work studying the relationship between Germany’s Deutsche Bank and the Ottoman Empire, Sean Lawrence shows that many things we think of as unique to our modern capitalistic world really have roots dating back much further.
Chailen August
May 31, 2022
Chailen August’s time at UC Santa Cruz put him on a path he never expected. Not only did he embark on a study of drill rap and its interpretation in Ghana, Africa, but, as part of a study-abroad program, he also had a visceral experience of what his enslaved ancestors may have endured.
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.
New Department of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies invites students to think critically about race during a time of global reckoning with racism
May 10, 2022
CRES was first introduced as a degree program in 2014 and, thanks to its rapid growth and strong faculty and student advocacy, gained departmental status in 2021.
The Newton you don't know
May 6, 2022
Caltech professor Jed Buchwald will lecture on Isaac Newton’s attempt to change the history of civilization at inaugural Nauenberg Lecture on May 13
Deep Read welcomes author Yaa Gyasi to UC Santa Cruz
May 3, 2022
The annual program of The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz has brought together students, faculty, alumni, and other curious minds from across the globe to unpack and discuss Transcendent Kingdom, the most recent novel by Ghanaian-American author Yaa Gyasi.
Puzzling it out
May 2, 2022
Linguistics student David Tuffs started making crossword puzzles to stave off boredom during COVID-19 restrictions. Now he's had his third puzzle published in the New York Times.
Wisdom Cole: Paving the way for a new generation of Black leaders
May 2, 2022
National Director of the NAACP Youth & College Division and UCSC alumnus Wisdom Cole (Oakes ’15, chemistry) will be a keynote speaker at the John R. Lewis College dedication ceremony on May 6.
New global and community health majors available this fall
April 29, 2022
UC Santa Cruz students who want to build a future with better, more equitable health outcomes will have the option to declare one of two new global and community health majors, starting in fall 2022.
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.
